Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi all

I'm after a little bit of advise from a Vet if there is one around.
My OH and I were out most of yesterday and when we came back we found one of our hamsters, Dominic, dragging one of his back legs. He had been sat cleaning his bottom when we got in and seems to be making it very sore as he would jump every now and then.

We removed all his toys etc from the cage and cleaned him out. He now only has his house without a roof so he can't climb on it, a food bowl and his water bottle on the side.

We took him into the bedroom last night and I kept checking on him through the night. He seems ok, just walking funny because of his back leg. This morning he seems more lively and playful, but still is dragging his leg most of the time. He does walk on his foot sometimes, but seems reluctant to put weight on it.

I did the worst thing possible last night, i google'd the problem and came back with a whole list of problems. Most of which say I should take him to a Vet. I can't find a Vet open today but am worried about our little man. Any advise on what to look out for or do would be greatly appreciated.

James

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BW
James

I like to try, might not get far, but I like to try.

You don't say how old he is.

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The greatness comes not when things go always good for you,but the greatness comes when you are really tested,when you take,some knocks,some disappointments;because only if youv'e been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.

i had a similar problem with a hamster years ago, he caught his leg in an open wheel, i took him to the vets who basically said it will get better eventually ....... they don't seem to want to do much for little pets, and charge you a fortune to tell you theres not much they can do .... hamsters are very resilient, and it healed in a couple of weeks.

hope he feels better soon xx

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http://teachy.myminicity.com please visit my town and make it better

http://quiz.ravenblack.net/blood.pl?biter=teach_me please sign up to be a vampire, i get 10 pints of blood if you do, and it's fun as well ....... i have an interactive map if anyone wants it.

He is about 2 years old. In a couple of weeks we will have had him 2 years. Guess he was about 6 weeks old when we got him.

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BW
James

I like to try, might not get far, but I like to try.

Could it be arthritis or similar?

__________________
The greatness comes not when things go always good for you,but the greatness comes when you are really tested,when you take,some knocks,some disappointments;because only if youv'e been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.

It could be. I really don't know. I know he is getting on a bit now, so could be any number of age related problems. I think I will just keep an eye on him over the next few days.

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BW
James

I like to try, might not get far, but I like to try.

Don't want to be a doom and gloom merchant but I had a hamster last year who was about the same age and the same thing happened to him.He then lost the use of both back legs and then a week later he died.

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The greatness comes not when things go always good for you,but the greatness comes when you are really tested,when you take,some knocks,some disappointments;because only if youv'e been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.

Unless you are very rich I wouldnt suggest taking him to a vets on a sunday! If it is a strain or sprain it will get better with time and rest. Good luck

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Taking it one day at a time and still smiling...

Hope 'Dominic's' feeling better James. He probably did catch his leg in something & has made it worse by overgrooming it. Can you see if there's any cut on his leg? If there is maybe you could bathe it with some lukewarm water to soothe it for him.

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Into every life a little rain must fall.

I know its not the same animal but one of our guinea pigs was doing this and he had an abcess once this was sorted by a vet she was running around and was ok.
hope the hamster is ok.

Hope Dom gets better soon James, fingers crossed for ya dude.

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A simple dude trying to grow veg.

http://haywayne.blogspot.com/ - 1st update of 2009 - 6th January

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev036pr___.png

Dom seems to be getting better. He is walking on his foot again. Seems a little unsteady but better than yesterday and loads better that Sat. Fingers crossed for a full recovery.

ATM he is hanging from the roof of his cage swinging like a monkey. LOL

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BW
James

I like to try, might not get far, but I like to try.

Thanks to all the well-wishers for the help and advise.

__________________
BW
James

I like to try, might not get far, but I like to try.

he probably hurt it doing that and falling on something in the first place, glad he's on the mend

__________________
http://teachy.myminicity.com please visit my town and make it better

http://quiz.ravenblack.net/blood.pl?biter=teach_me please sign up to be a vampire, i get 10 pints of blood if you do, and it's fun as well ....... i have an interactive map if anyone wants it.

James hi, how is your hamster? better I hope

Does Dom look like this perchance?

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A simple dude trying to grow veg.

http://haywayne.blogspot.com/ - 1st update of 2009 - 6th January

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev036pr___.png

awwwww sooooo cute, I want one!
they do tend to look as if they have just sat on something very very pointy though!

You don't get much more pointy than someones finger...

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A simple dude trying to grow veg.

http://haywayne.blogspot.com/ - 1st update of 2009 - 6th January

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev036pr___.png

unless it's someones finger with a stick on the end

__________________
http://teachy.myminicity.com please visit my town and make it better

http://quiz.ravenblack.net/blood.pl?biter=teach_me please sign up to be a vampire, i get 10 pints of blood if you do, and it's fun as well ....... i have an interactive map if anyone wants it.

No, that's a sticky finger!

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A simple dude trying to grow veg.

http://haywayne.blogspot.com/ - 1st update of 2009 - 6th January

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev036pr___.png

I was gonna say 'fetch' ........ but apparently thats too short

__________________
http://teachy.myminicity.com please visit my town and make it better

http://quiz.ravenblack.net/blood.pl?biter=teach_me please sign up to be a vampire, i get 10 pints of blood if you do, and it's fun as well ....... i have an interactive map if anyone wants it.

Besides which I left my collar at home.

__________________
A simple dude trying to grow veg.

http://haywayne.blogspot.com/ - 1st update of 2009 - 6th January

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev036pr___.png