Joey broke his leg

morticia · 01-03-2017, 05:36 AM

Hi,

I havent been on here a while, I joined when I had Hugo the russian hamster. Well he has sadly passed, along with Luey and Duey with only Huey the robo left of that triplet.

But my concern is with Joey my syrian, he has broken his back leg badly. No idea how, but he isnt the brightest and a climber. He is currently on medication and cage arrest, with minimal movement for a month. His back leg is bad with his knee by his ankle and his foot is turned out and looks lame. He is eating again and loving his medication, the bruising seems to be reduced and he is moving about. (have even caught him climbing again)

Anyone else had this issue?

GitaBooks · 01-03-2017, 09:00 AM

Poor guy. Thankfully, since they don't weigh that much, it causes less strain on the limb. The medication should help him a lot, as should the cage rest. I've never had a pet with a broken leg, but have heard lots of good things about their legs healing. Time is important, but also making sure the leg heals in the proper position, or he could be lame for the rest of his life. If it isn't causing pain, then it isn't dangerous but it can make getting around more difficult.

I hope this helps. I'm not an expert.

Best of luck! : )

CMB · 01-03-2017, 01:17 PM

Hope he heals properly. It might be a good idea to try to limit his ability to climb by arranging his cage differently.

Thin Lizzy · 01-04-2017, 09:19 PM

I would get him checked out by the vet, who'll be able to advise you on how to care for him, also the vet will also be able to prescribe medication to help with any pain he may have. Also ensure his cage is all one level and remove his wheel while his leg is healing.

Pebbles82 · 01-06-2017, 09:49 AM

Is there anywhere in his cage he could have got a foot caught? (To make sure it doesn't happen again). Toys with chains can sometimes be a culptit, or a ladder with a gap between the ladder and shelf. Thin Lizzy's advice is good. He might need to be in a tank style hospital cage while it is healing so he can't climb - eg a duna multy or even smaller - Souffle should be able to advise on that.

racinghamster · 01-06-2017, 10:19 AM

It`s very upsetting when this happens and one of the reasons I don`t go near barred cages as I personally feel they are a liability, as you have found. Not every hamster will do itself damage by climbing, but the opportunity is there for that to happen sadly. I only ever use a barred cage for my mice as they are expert climbers, while hamsters are not.

Has he seen a vet? You mentioned medication so I`m presuming he has? Only a specialised vet would even try to pin such a thin, fragile bone and they usually assess the leg and say cage rest or try to `set it` in a frame, but hamsters tend to chew on things so it`s not always worth casting the leg until it heals and of course, the bone may not set well as a result.

Making sure water, food and easy access to the next are crucial, so look at the nest area and if it`s a heavy item, maybe replace it with a shoe box or food box turned upside down with an arched door cut out of one or both ends for Joey to easily come and go.

Hope he`s okay. x

Drago · 01-06-2017, 12:46 PM

I've never come across this, but poor ham! These guys get in way over their heads don't they? I never get barred cages out of fear that theyd fall and break their ribs when climbing bars. Hope he has a speedy recovery, keep his food, water, and maybe a chew toy next to him. Best wishes

Thin Lizzy · 01-07-2017, 06:20 AM

I actually bought a plastic tank/cage when Twinkle hurt her side (she had a massive bruise) and the only wire bars was the top door. It was a lot smaller than her cage but it helped her recovery. I also removed her saucer and anything heavy. She stayed in it for about 2 weeks.

morticia · 01-08-2017, 01:28 PM

yes he has been to the vet hence the medication and cage rest. He spent a week in his travel cage and then I put him back in his own cage with the middle layer out so that he couldnt climb.

So I thought, he was obviously getting better as he has, in the last two days, realised if he jumps he can reach the bars.

He is back in his carry cage now as checking him over tonight I have spotted a sore on his knee, (his foot is beside it) and I suspect wet tail is occurring but I am not sure yet. Close eye will be kept on him next day or two but he is really stressing out now and its stressing me out. He has food nd water, chew toys and treats but he is just scratching to get out

Pebbles82 · 01-08-2017, 03:46 PM

Oh poor hammy. Do you have a plastic storage bin you could set up as a temporary cage? The pet carrier is probably too small for him. Either that or you could try putting cardboard round the inside of his cage bars - maybe 6 to 9" high - so he can't climb (although he could chew the cardboard away I guess - but it sounds better than him being so stressed in the pet carrier. Also maybe scatter some food on the substrate in the bin or cage - that might take his mind of trying to climb. Do you have some Metacam for him?