Possible wheel accident

_Steph_ · 12-15-2015, 02:29 PM

Hello all

I rescued my robo Pumpkin just over a week ago, unfortunately when I've gone in to check on her this evening I found a small clump of fur beside her wheel and a corresponding patch on the middle of pumpkins head. The fur had been torn off in one clump with the top layer of skin, it's about 0.5 cm.

I feel really bad for her that she has got herself stuck and injured like this, although she seems to be fine and her head looks like it should heal up, I'll keep a close eye on her.

My only explanation of how this happened is she somehow got caught between the cover of her trixie wheel and the wheel, and then pulled to free herself. There isn't anything else in the area which could have been a problem.

Has this ever happened to anyone before?!

I've removed the wheel, which I was having doubts about anyway because of the axle. Luckily this evening Amazon delivered me a new silent spinner. I thought I'd give it a chance because I ideally would like plastic but, like others have found, it doesn't spin well.

velma · 12-15-2015, 04:35 PM

Crikey, that doesn't sound fun for your poor little robo

I haven't had this happen to me & luckily I have one of the old silent spinners so rolls fine but p@h have just started selling their own brand version of the silent spinner. Looks the same except for a plastic stand. I've taken it out the box and it seems to roll just fine. I've bought one for my robo for Christmas (well, that's the excuse. And after saying I couldn't justify buying one

) so I can give a proper review then but might be worth having a look?

climber008 · 12-15-2015, 04:52 PM

My goodness! I'm hoping that your hammy makes a speedy recovery! I personally have never had this happen to me. My hamster used a Wodent Wheel, and she never seemed to have problems with that. Although, I'm not sure you can get Wodent Wheels in a suitable size for a dwarf, I love them for Syrians.

flowerfairy · 12-16-2015, 05:41 AM

Aww poor little thing. I havent had any similar experiences.

My robos each have a wooden karlie wheel from zooplus which they love. I have painted them with cuprinol garden shades country cream paint to make them waterproof.

racinghamster · 12-16-2015, 10:34 AM

It`s always distressing to hear when these accidents occur when you think you have a `safe` wheel. Personally, because you found his fur inside the wheel or trapped in the wheel mechanism, I would be inclined to say the wheel was the cause and change it, swiftly. Do without a wheel even until you can get a second hand silent spinner or indeed, a small Wonderland wheel. It`s difficult to say why this happened, but it has. So once bitten....

Is his skin wound okay? You could dab it with simple saline if it`s inflamed or you feel it needs a little wipe over. Otherwise, leave it and see if it heals over by itself. x

Pebbles82 · 12-16-2015, 12:29 PM

Sounds horrible! Agree - take the wheel out - and send the rubbish silent spinner back lol! I would also recommend the 8" karlie wheel, if you don't mind checking it for splinters and painting it. Or the 8" wodent wheel. My only issue with the wodent wheels is the stand at the back - I think they are best hung from the roof. But depends how high your cage is as then the wheel might be a bit high off the substrate. On the other hand, you'd have plenty of room for substrate under it. Should be fine hung from the roof.

Or maybe try Velma's pets at home version of the silent spinner if that is handier. Zooplus can take 3 to 7 days for delivery (karlie wheel).

Petplanet have the junior 8" wodent wheel in stock for £12.99. Delivery is £4.50 plus another £2.99 for express delivery - orders before 2pm on Monday will arrive by the 21st. So if you ordered it tomorrow before 2pm it could be here by the week-end.

Wodent Exercise Wheel Junior on Sale | Free UK Delivery | PetPlanet.co.uk

Another thought - is there anything near or above the wheel she could have caught herself on? Just wondering if there was a bar catch above or something and the fur could have dropped from above and landed near the wheel?

Sounds more likely to be the wheel though.

**DrKMcK** · 12-16-2015, 05:59 PM

Oh how awful! Poor hammy. Good that you took the wheel out and have replaced it. I use the Wodent Wheel for my little guy Laddie. He handles it fine. My other dwarf hammies, Toffee and Almond had the Silent Spinners, the 6.5" ones and they were okay with them.
Keep an eye on the wound and if it looks at all like it might be getting infected, get hammy to the vet. It may well heal on its own, but if it doesn't it will need antibiotics. Fingers crossed that Pumpkin has good healing powers.

Pretty little girl, isn't she?