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The hamster broke its hind legs, what pills are needed? What to do when a hamster breaks its leg?! What to do after visiting the veterinary clinic

Hamsters kept in a cage often experience injuries. The animals are careless, they can fall on the sofa during a walk. Hamsters get dropped, especially if the pet bites or struggles. But most often the cause of damage to the limbs is the bars of the cage and. Hamsters love to climb the walls and ceiling of their cage. If one leg gets stuck between the bars, then dangling on it with all its weight and trying to free itself, the animal intensifies the injury. Therefore, every owner should have an idea of what to do if a hamster breaks its leg.

Minor injuries (bruises, sprains) often go unnoticed. You can understand that a rodent has injured its leg only by letting it out for a walk. In a cage it is difficult to tell whether a pet is limping. The hamster hides in the house, activity decreases, and after a couple of days he behaves as if nothing had happened.

If a stuck pet only slightly wounds the skin, the abrasion is washed with an antiseptic and heals quickly.

But when a hamster breaks its leg, it is impossible not to notice it. The limb swells greatly, can be twisted at an unnatural angle, and drags when walking. With a closed fracture there will be a hematoma (purple or blue foot), with an open one there will be a wound and bleeding, the damaged bone will be visible.

Diagnostics

You should not try to palpate the fracture. Even a specialist in a veterinary clinic should not do this: the bones of rodents are too thin to assess their condition with your fingers. It makes no sense to cause additional suffering to the animal.

Modern digital x-rays make it possible to see a fracture in even the tiniest animals. If the injury is obvious, the owner often doubts the need to take an x-ray - after all, it is already clear that the hamster has broken its leg. Images are needed to distinguish a fracture from a dislocation, as well as to get a complete picture of the injury. Without this, it is difficult to give a prognosis and prescribe treatment.

Caring for an injured hamster

With a closed fracture, owners rarely take their hamster to the clinic. In their own way, they are right: regardless of the type of injury, if there is no damage to the skin, wounds, the same care will be prescribed

Limited mobility

The hamster is transplanted into a small one for a period of 2 weeks. They are not allowed to go for walks.

In the absence of a carrier, use an ordinary plastic bucket, basin or deep container.

If it is not possible to transfer the victim from the lattice cage, then all toys (wheels, tunnels), ladders, and the second floor are removed.

The bedding is replaced with scraps of napkins so that the animal stops digging and digging.

Dosed feeding

If the front leg is injured, the hamster should not be allowed to stuff its cheek pouches. It will be difficult for the rodent to get food from there on its own, and inflammation will occur. The grain mixture in a small bowl will do the trick. Must be provided. Peace is all a pet needs.

A closed fracture of a hamster's paw does not cause death, although lameness often remains if the bones do not heal properly. The situation is different if the injury is more serious - an open fracture.

Open fracture

A broken bone sometimes hurts gives to muscles and skin at the time of injury. In this case, there will be a wound on the paw - a small one or extensive, in which the bone is visible. The paw is bleeding.

If it is not possible to deliver the rodent to a veterinarian, first aid is provided at home. Restriction of movement, as in the case of a normal injury. It is almost impossible to protect a wound from infection, but every effort must be made to do this. Otherwise, purulent inflammation, gangrene, and sometimes even sepsis (blood poisoning) occurs.

Caring for a Hamster with an Open Fracture

The risk of infection is very high. An Elizabethan collar is not worn on rodents, so nothing will stop the hamster from licking the wound. Their saliva is not medicinal, but on the contrary, it contains a lot of dangerous microbes. Bedding, food, and even feces get into the wound and heavily contaminate it.

Daily treatment of the wound with an antiseptic (2-4 times a day)

Use chlorhexidine, miramistin, and an aqueous solution of furatsilin. Rinse copiously, under pressure. It is convenient to use a plastic syringe without a needle. A warm solution causes less discomfort, so the medicine is not stored in the refrigerator and is additionally warmed before the procedure.

Ointments (Levomekol, Syntomycin emulsion) are not used on a fresh wound, but they can be useful in case of purulent inflammation. Powders (Baneocin, Streptocide) are not prescribed for large wounds, as they promote the formation of a crust and the development of infection underneath.

If the hamster broke its paw a few days ago and it has already festered, systemic antibiotics are used - injections of Baytril, Enroxil or regular human bicillin-3 diluted with water for injection.

Keeping the cage clean

The sawdust bedding is replaced with scraps of paper napkins. Change daily to prevent feces from accumulating. Food is given in a feeder, in small portions, so that the animal does not stock up.

What NOT to do for fractures in a hamster

Let's consider what actions when a hamster's paws are broken not only do not have a therapeutic effect, but only worsen the problem.

Give calcium and unusual foods

Excess calcium in the diet does not accelerate fracture healing, but it puts a significant strain on the kidneys. Advice to drink calcium gluconate or give calcium tablets to chew on is not justified. It is unacceptable to introduce dairy products (cottage cheese, kefir) into the diet if you have not tried them before. It is much easier for a hamster to die from a digestive disorder than from a fracture.

Apply plaster

If a specialist in a veterinary clinic suggests immobilizing a limb, this means that he is used to working with cats and dogs, and not with rodents.

Reasons Why Hamsters Don't Splint a Broken Leg

Hamster chews plaster

It is impossible to protect the bandage from teeth. The plaster must be reapplied every day. Immobilization of the bones in this case is very doubtful: when trying to remove the cast, the hamster disturbs the broken leg more than when walking without it. Even if the owners agree to regular dressings, a cast should not be applied. If the plaster is partially damaged, the areas of the limb free from the bandage become very swollen. If the plaster is applied so tightly that the animal cannot remove it, it can gnaw off its own limb along with the plaster. Instinct encourages you to free yourself from the “trap” at any cost.

Necrosis

When applying a splint to such small animals, there is a high risk of tissue being crushed. This causes necrosis of the entire paw. Sepsis may set in, which would not happen with a closed injury. If you apply the plaster too loosely, without disturbing the blood flow, it simply slides off the tiny paw.

In dogs and cats, the gold standard for the treatment of fractures is osteosynthesis with a metal structure. In hamsters, such a technique is not yet possible due to their tiny size.

Veterinary assistance

Contacting a specialist will help you understand what to do if your hamster has a broken leg. Your doctor may prescribe painkillers (meloxicam) for 1-3 days to prevent pain shock. Then, depending on the nature of the injury, the surgeon will prescribe rest or amputation of the injured limb.

There is no need to ask the doctor to “save the limb at any cost.” Hamsters and other animals can lead a full life on three legs. If the hind leg is damaged, amputation is more favorable: there are cases where a hamster lived a long time and was active in the absence of both hind legs. The operation is performed under general anesthesia; local anesthetics (lidocaine) are deadly for hamsters. The safest is gas (inhalation) anesthesia (isoflurane, sevoflurane), it is impossible to overdose. Timely intervention allows you to form a neat stump and avoid necrosis and sepsis. Complications associated with chewing sutures are possible, but they are rare.

A broken leg in a hamster is a great grief for the owner, but the right actions in such a situation will help the pet survive the injury and recover.

Paw fractures: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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Sometimes hamster owners note that the animal begins to step on some paw with caution. They immediately begin to panic, but it is better to calm down and analyze why the hamster is limping.

Causes of lameness

The following reasons influence the occurrence of lameness in hamsters:

Types of injuries and symptoms

Injuries to animals can be varied: cuts, wounds, sprains, bruises, fractures and others. Let's sort them out.

Fractures

If a hamster is limping on one leg, it could be a fracture. It comes in two types: open (the bone or its fragments are visible through damaged skin) and closed (there is a crack or small break in the bone that is not visible through the skin). Symptoms:

Bruise or dislocation

These conditions are not so painful and not so dangerous. You can distinguish them from a fracture as follows: with a bruise or dislocation, the animal will lean on the sore leg or limp slightly. Appetite and behavior may be completely normal.

Wounds and cuts

They appear quite often in small animals. They are not particularly dangerous; in most cases, hamsters lick them themselves. If they don't do this properly, the wound can become inflamed. A dangerous outcome would be the formation of an abscess.

Therapeutic measures

If your hamster is limping, you can cure it yourself, but it is better to consult a veterinarian. Treatment of fractures: if closed, apply plaster, give painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs; in open cases - surgical intervention, in severe cases, amputation. If you do not contact a specialist in time, the bones may heal incorrectly, and lameness will remain for life. An untreated open fracture can turn into gangrene, which can lead to death. First aid instructions:

Treatment of wounds and cuts: Hamsters usually lick them themselves, but if an abscess has formed, then go to the vet immediately. He will open it up and process it with education. You will carry out further treatment yourself. You will need to regularly give the animal antibiotics and treat the wound. Treatment: moisten the edges of the cut with saline solution, then blot with gauze. Do this as many times as possible until the wound is clean. After cleaning, apply iodine solution and blot the area. Finally, cover the wound with antibacterial ointment.

What to do after visiting a veterinary clinic?

Once you get your pet home, keep him calm and continue to follow your doctor's instructions. Apply a cold compress to your hamster, but be careful so that the animal does not become hypothermic. Disturb your pet less, do not pick him up. This can lead to complications or new injuries. Thus, if a hamster is limping on one leg, it is most likely a traumatic injury. Prevention consists of avoiding the listed causes and regular examination of the animal.

The foot of a domestic hamster is no more than a couple of centimeters, the size of the bones in it is even smaller. Therefore, limb injuries in hamsters are common. Sometimes the animal does not even realize the presence of injury and continues to lead an active lifestyle, injuring itself even more. How to recognize that your pet needs help? How to treat a fracture in a hamster? What to do if you can’t see a veterinarian? Let's look at it in order.

Causes of fractures in hamsters

Determining the cause of your injury is important to prevent future damage. The origin of fractures can be divided into three groups:

Trauma in the cage. A cage for a hamster is chosen taking into account its characteristics. You should not buy a large cage for a dwarf species, such as a Dzungarik or a Siberian hamster. Sometimes the owner thinks that the more space and floors there are in the cage, the more at ease the pet will feel. But a hamster falling from a great height (from the third floor, 80 cm high) can result in more than just fractures. It is better to choose a running wheel without crossbars or cracks; there are often cases when a hamster’s paws get caught in a crack and get stuck. The same rule applies to ladders in the cage. To keep the animal active, it is better to build a labyrinth instead of climbing branches and swings.
Falling from a height. Even if this possibility is excluded in the cage, the pet can escape and fall from the table on which the cage stands. When moving freely around the apartment, injuries occur very often. For walking your pet outside the cage, it is better to have a special ball that will protect against them.
Injuries due to human fault. Due to its small size, the hamster must be handled very carefully. Do not take him out of the cage by force, just put your palm up and the pet will climb into it himself. Do not place the hamster in the hands of small children who cannot control their grip. In addition, the child may be frightened by the sudden movement of the hamster or, having been bitten, will release it from his hands. Such a sudden fall will cause injury.

If a hamster's leg fracture occurs and you know the reason, try to rule it out in the future.

Symptoms

Minor injuries to the limbs may be ignored. But when a hamster breaks its leg, it cannot go unnoticed.

Signs of a fracture:

the paw dangles unnaturally, sometimes the bone is visible;
the hamster presses its paw to its body, limps, jumps on three legs;
swelling or bleeding is noticeable;
the pet is passive, tries not to move, refuses food;
When examining the damage, the hamster squeaks and bites, this is how he shows that he is in pain.

Fracture treatment

Treatment for a fracture in a hamster can be started before consulting a veterinarian, since therapy consists mostly of proper care. Once you discover that your hamster has broken its leg, try to limit its movement.

Place your pet in a basin or container that will accommodate a feeder and water bottle, but will have some room to move around. It is better to put plain paper at the bottom of the new home; hamsters do not like to dig it up.

The next step should be to contact a veterinarian, who will take an x-ray, confirm or refute the diagnosis, prescribe further treatment and give advice on care.

What to do if it is not possible to show your pet to a doctor?

You live in a small town, or there is no rodent specialist in the city. At the same time, other veterinarians do not undertake the treatment of a hamster - this is not a reason to leave the animal without attention. Even if it is not possible to quickly contact a specialist, you can still help the animal.

Examine the paw and try to determine the type of injury. If the fracture is open, you need to treat the wound site with an antiseptic. Human drugs such as Miramistin, Chlorhexidine or furacillin solution are suitable. Continue treatment 4 times a day until the wound heals.

It is impossible to set the bone and apply a bandage at home; don’t even try, so as not to damage the paw even more. In addition, you cannot bandage open wounds - this will lead to the development of an infectious process, and then the paw will definitely have to be amputated. We'll have to leave the healing to nature. Hamsters are adapted to this; if healing is impossible, the hamster will gnaw off the damaged part of the paw itself.

Hygiene in your pet's home should be done daily to prevent dirt from getting into the wound. Change the paper filling and wipe the bottom of the container. If the paper does not absorb feces well and there is an unpleasant odor, you can replace it with a thin layer of corn-based litter.
Continue to keep the rodent in a cramped house to limit movement. When the hamster becomes more mobile, you can return it back to the cage, but remove the wheel, swing, branches and ladders to the second floor.
If the front paw is damaged, limit the hamster's food intake so that he does not stuff excess food into his cheeks with his sore paw. If a hamster breaks its hind leg, it is easy to limit its movement, because rodents perform almost all actions with their forelimbs.
Some sources advise introducing more calcium and protein into your pet's diet. Experienced veterinarians refute this advice, since excess calcium can lead to kidney disease. And introducing new food into the diet can cause digestive upset. If the hamster's menu before the injury included cottage cheese and insect larvae, you can slightly increase their quantity after the fracture. If your pet is accustomed to grain food, it is better not to introduce new products.
Give any medications, painkillers or antibiotics after consultation with a ratologist (a veterinarian specializing in rodents), at least by telephone. You can miscalculate the dosage yourself and harm your pet.

Rehabilitation after a fracture

The period of complete healing of the limb takes from 2 to 4 weeks. Closed fractures heal faster, and the chances of saving the paw are high. Open fractures are more difficult to treat due to the inability to apply a bandage and fix the paw. An open wound quickly becomes infected and inflammation begins. This can lead to the death of the animal.

The pet's recovery process will depend only on proper care. It is possible that after a fracture, the pet will limp or twist its paw when walking if the bones heal incorrectly. If complications arise, it is more likely that the leg will have to be amputated. The rehabilitation period will take a long time, this requires the breeder’s patience. It is very important to continue proper care of your pet.

After recovery, the hamster will be as cheerful and active as before the injury. Neither lameness nor the absence of a paw will hinder him in later life. After all, hamsters quickly adapt to new conditions.

The owner’s task is to provide safe conditions for the further keeping of the pet.

Paw fractures are a common occurrence.

Domestic hamsters are like most small rodents have a rather fragile build. Any blow, attack by a cat or dog, fall from a height, or unsuccessful movement is fraught with mechanical damage to the limbs.

Especially The situation is dangerous when the paw gets stuck in the cage. The animal begins to twitch in different directions and breaks a limb.

If after the incident the animal is injured, then first of all his behavior changes:

Open fracture

the limb is swollen;
he hides in a house;
stops actively running;
bends or drags the paw.

All this should alert the owner and become a reason for a more careful inspection.

A fracture of the paw can be suspected if there are one or more signs:

the paw became blue-purple in color;
the limb hangs or is twisted unnaturally;
The skin on the paw is broken, and bone fragments are visible from the wound.

In the latter case, making a diagnosis will not cause difficulties - the animal has an open fracture. In all other cases, the animal is carefully placed in a small carrier or box and taken to the clinic.

It is desirable that the hospital have a modern digital installation for conducting x-ray examinations of the smallest animals.

If the diagnosis of a broken leg is confirmed, the specialist makes prescriptions and gives recommendations for the treatment of the injured rodent.

Will you take your hamster to the vet?

Yes 😄No 😯

How to treat a fracture

So, what to do if it is confirmed that your hamster has broken its leg.

Closed fracture

For the treatment of a closed fracture the hamster is moved into a small carrier for 12 - 14 days.

If the front leg is broken, then feed is given in small portions. After all, if a rodent starts filling bags, it will be impossible to empty them with a broken limb.

After 3-4 days, a callus will begin to form at the site of the closed fracture., and in another 10 days the pet will be healthy. It can be transplanted into a cage. For the first time, all tunnels, ladders, wheels and shelves are removed from it. It is advisable to remove the usual litter and keep the rodent on a bed of pieces of toilet paper for some time.

Open fracture

If an animal is diagnosed with an open fracture of the front or hind limb, the doctor decides on amputation or preservation.

In the first case, timely removal of the damaged paw will help the doctor form a cult so that after the operation the animal will move very dexterously on three limbs. The operation is performed under special anesthesia that is harmless to the rodent.

All help consists in disinfecting the wound and limiting movement. Any error can lead to the development of suppuration, sepsis and death of the animal.

How to feed a hamster with a fracture?

Feed is given little by little.

During the period of treatment of fractures, the animal is given.

Calcium supplements and additional cottage cheese should not be introduced into his diet. This will do little to help the bones heal, but may well cause kidney disease or digestive upset.

Prevention

To protect your pet's paws from damage, It is advisable to choose special terrariums for it. All equipment should not have closely spaced rods in which a limb could get stuck.

You need to hold your pet carefully in your arms; it is best to do this in a sitting position.

A fall from a sofa can cause damage to the paws, and a fall from human height can cause serious and often fatal damage not only to bones, but also to internal organs.

You should be careful when giving the hamster to children. Kids may squeeze the animal too much or even throw the pet to the floor if it... You should not let your rodent out for a walk if there is a cat or dog roaming freely in the room.

Care and caution in handling a rodent, a comfortable cage or terrarium - all this will protect your pet from injuries and fractures.

Useful video

Often you may not notice your pet's injury immediately, but after several days, when the hamster's paw changes color and the hamster limps. But it is important to provide the right help as soon as you notice the animal’s suspicious behavior.

HOW TO ACT IF A DZHUNGARIAN HAMSTER HAS DAMAGED A PAW. Hello, dear friends! A hamster's paws are one of the most vulnerable parts of his body, which are often subject to all kinds of injuries: dislocations, bruises, fractures, etc. Our readers have already asked me several times to cover this topic, and I am glad that I was finally able to collect the necessary information bit by bit. Today we will talk to you about what to do if your hamster hurts its paw. I am sure that this article will be useful not only to those people who have already encountered a similar problem, but also to all owners of dzhungariks. Let's start, as usual, with the root causes. What is the most common cause of fractures in hamsters? Of course, because of the falls. At the same time, falls can be very different: the inattention of the owner, whose dzhungarik slipped out of his hands and fell to the floor; “flying” from a sofa or table while walking; jump from the upper floors of the cage to the first floor. Each of these situations can lead to injury to the hamster's limbs and internal organs. And if in the first two cases you should simply be careful, then we will dwell on the third example in more detail. Today on sale we can find a huge selection of cages and terrariums for hamsters. What is often forgotten? Not all of these cages are created equal for your pet. Some people are greatly mistaken in believing that their jungarik will be much more comfortable in a 3-story cage than in a smaller dwelling. The height of some cells reaches 60-70 cm. Can you imagine the consequences of an unsuccessful fall from such a height, for example, onto a plastic feeder? A hamster can easily damage its paw, and this is far from the worst outcome. The second common cause of limb injuries is the mesh running wheels, floors and ladders into which the hamster's legs fall. If you initially purchased a not-so-suitable home for your pet, it is in your power to improve and secure it as much as possible. Nothing complicated - just lay down some cardboard. Why am I writing all this? I am simply convinced that it is better to exclude the possibility of any injury than to treat a suffering hamster later. I strongly recommend that you read (or refresh your memory) the information written in these articles: Cages for dwarf birds: how to choose the right home for your future pet? How to properly set up a cage for a dzhungarika? Let's move on. What to do if you still fail to save your hamster? How to determine the severity of an injury: bruise or fracture? Examine your hamster carefully and very carefully. If your pet's paw does not hang or dangle, it is most likely a crack or bruise. A less serious injury also includes a closed fracture (when the bone does not protrude), because, from a treatment point of view, such damage is no different from a bruise. If you see that the hamster has broken its leg so that the bone is sticking out, then the situation is somewhat more serious. There is no need to panic, nothing fatal happened! What to do if a dwarf has broken its leg? As soon as you notice damage to your pet, the first thing to do is to limit your rodent's mobility as much as possible. To do this, we remove the running wheel, upper floors, ladders, tunnels, and all sorts of accessories from the cage - only the feeder and drinking bowl should remain in the home. Please remember the main rule: the key to a successful recovery is that the hamster barely moves. Therefore, next you should put your pet in a large carrier, in which he will recover for about 2 weeks. If there is no special carrier, you can use suitable household containers: a deep plastic container, a basin with high walls, or, for example, a bucket. Next, put regular white napkins into the selected container to serve as filler. If you are very bothered by the unpleasant smell, you can pour a very thin layer of filler (preferably corn). Just keep in mind that the layer should be very thin so that the hamster does not have the desire to dig the filler with an injured paw. After the main condition for recovery has been met (the hamster is limited in mobility), you should contact a veterinarian, if possible! Someone will say: “Anyway, it’s unrealistic to put a cast on a dzhungarika, then what’s the point?” There is a point, and it at least consists in the fact that the veterinarian objectively assesses the seriousness of the injury. When a hamster's paw is swollen, it is almost impossible to independently assess the extent of the damage (without special knowledge). This is where your veterinarian will help you. In addition, a qualified veterinarian will prescribe the correct treatment so that your pet can recover as quickly as possible. What to do if your hamster breaks its leg and there is no veterinarian in town? We treat on our own... We all live in different cities, and not everyone has the opportunity to receive qualified veterinary care. Now I will tell you how to act at home. Everything written below is based on the experience of professional breeders and advice from veterinarians. If a dwarf has broken its leg, the consequences can be very different. But if you do everything right, the probability of a successful outcome is very high. So, you have already taken the first step towards your pet’s recovery by limiting the hamster’s mobility. For the next 2 weeks for your rodent: no walks around the house, no jogging or playing with the owner. Peace, peace and more peace. This is the main thing. The second important aspect is proper nutrition, rich in protein and calcium. In addition to the grain mixture, feed your hamster heavily with foods such as: low-fat cottage cheese; yogurt (0-1%); kefir (0-1%); boiled egg (white and yolk); leaf lettuce. The third important point is the right medications. Every day, give the injured hamster 1 tablet of calcium gluconate and Mumiyo - to restore bone tissue. These are common and inexpensive medications that you can buy at any pharmacy. Give the dzhungarika a whole tablet, let him chew as much as he wants - there will be no overdose. If you can buy Travmatin at any veterinary clinic, give your hamster 0.5 ml from a syringe 2 times a day - this will also help speed up your pet’s recovery. Important! In the first 2-3 days of treatment you will already see dynamics. If a broken hamster's paw turns black and dries out, it will no longer be able to recover. Tissue necrosis does happen sometimes, and that's a fact. In this case, you will again need the help of a veterinarian to amputate the paw, or the hamster, having lost sensitivity, will chew it off itself. Of course, this is unpleasant, but there is no need to fall into despair: hamsters can live fully on 3 legs, while remaining 100% active. Don't worry, in the vast majority of cases it doesn't come to this, and the paw retains a viable pinkish appearance. To summarize, in summary, I would like to once again highlight 3 most important aspects of the recovery of a hamster that has broken its leg: Constant rest and maximum limited mobility. Proper nutrition, rich in protein and calcium. Medicines that help restore bone tissue. I hope that your Djungarians will never encounter limb injuries, and for you this article will remain informational. And for those owners whose hamsters have already damaged their paws, I hope this article will be of great help. Good health to you and your pets! See you again, dear readers!