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Original poster

Hamster has a very swollen back foot, what can I do?

47 replies

Amapoleon · 27/05/2009 18:49

Dd has just taken him out and is back foot is very swollen and he can't put any weight on it. It looks very lightly grazed.

OP posts:

FabulousBakerGirl · 28/05/2009 17:17

I agree. I honestly thought they would offer me a new hamster, especially as I had adopted this one and made a donation.

KingCanuteIAm · 28/05/2009 17:30

I do sometimes wonder how animal oriented pet shops are, I suppose the mix of pets and business is not a good one.

golgi · 28/05/2009 18:35

Can I add a slightly disturbing hamster leg story? Mine got a swollen leg when he was very young, then it started turning black (eeek!).
Vet was perplexed but did say "it will probably fall off" (double eeek!)
And yes, his leg did fall off. But the stump healed nicely, and so I had a three-legged hamster who lived to be 2 years old. We renamed him Stumpy. He got around fine (male hamsters have an extra couple of appendages at the back they can balance on.....)

stuffitlllama · 28/05/2009 18:43

ours had a growth, it was a tumour and it died of it

the vet said leg tumours in hamsters are very very common

sorry to say this

Original poster

Amapoleon · 28/05/2009 22:21

Thanks all, I couldn't get an appointment until tomorrow afternoon, so I will let you know the verdict!

He still seems fine, not hiding away, eating and drinking, coming to say hello etc but all on 3 legs.

OP posts:

KingCanuteIAm · 28/05/2009 22:28

Great, I am glad you managed to get an appointment.

Hope all is well tomorrow!

FabulousBakerGirl · 29/05/2009 07:29

Good luck.

Let us know how you get on.

Blondeshavemorefun · 29/05/2009 18:56

aww just seen this

((HUGE HUGS)) to your hammy

hopefuly you have seen a vet now and will know what the problem is

we have had several hammies who had swollen legs - one escaped and got stuck behind the chimney - mr blonde had to dismantle it from behind (under the stairs) and he sprained his paw

trip to vet later and got antibs and was fine (my purse wasnt)

other hammy unfort had a cancerus tumour be he went under ga and had it removed - and lived for another year

(anotter huge dent to my purse)

but they are worth it - if you have pets you have to sometimes pay out for them if you havent got/cant get pet insurance

Original poster

Amapoleon · 29/05/2009 20:07

Well it's not good I'm afraid. It's a broken leg and a tumour. He has given him a pain killer and antibiotics but thinks he will go down hill rapidly and it isn't in his best interest to remove the leg.

The vet was lovely and very tactful due to dd being with me. He has recommended that I bring him back next week to be put to sleep.

OP posts:

bella39 · 29/05/2009 20:12

Aw, I am sorry, Amapoleon

That's just lousy.

KingCanuteIAm · 29/05/2009 20:16

Aw Amapoleon, sorry to hear that

FabulousBakerGirl · 29/05/2009 20:18

Oh no.

Is it fair to wait a week if he is going to be put down anyway?

Has he been given pain killers?

Blondeshavemorefun · 29/05/2009 20:20

awwwwwwwww ((HUGS))

so sorry to hear that

putting to sleep is heart breaking but least he wont be in any pain

unfort broken legs often cant be mended for hammies - does the vet think he may be ok -wondered why he isnt putting hammy to sleep today?

or does he think leg may mend naturally iyswim

give hammy lots of love and hugs and baby porridge

Original poster

Amapoleon · 29/05/2009 22:09

I think he didn't put him to sleep today because my dd was with me. He gave him pain killers and said bring him back next week. Will do it sooner rather than later.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/05/2009 12:24

next week is a long time if a hammy is in pain tho obv pain killers should hopefully make him not in pain iyswim

can you not go today - my vet is open till 2pm

FabulousBakerGirl · 30/05/2009 16:47

I think you shouldn't have taken your daughter with you. It isn't fair for the hamster to suffer to protect your daughter's feelings.

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/05/2009 17:09

maybe op didnt have a choice

if my hammies are ill, i take my dc with me if that is the only time i can get an appointment

FabulousBakerGirl · 30/05/2009 17:29

True but I think the option should be to leave them with the recpetion staff.

Original poster

Amapoleon · 30/05/2009 17:58

I'm in Spain, so we don't have flexible opening hours. The hamster appears to be perfectly normal and not in any pain. He's even going on his wheel.

I had no option but to take dd with me and yes I could have have left her in the reception staff but to be honest because he is behaving so normally I didn't really think he would be issued the death sentence.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/05/2009 18:09

is there a chance that leg will mend naturally then?

seems weird that hammy will go on his wheel - unless painkillers are fab ones and he really doesnt feel any pain

Original poster

Amapoleon · 30/05/2009 23:20

I don't know to be honest. He's not running in the wheel but sort of slowly spinning it.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 31/05/2009 09:35

but he seems happy enough in his self?

see what vet says tomorrow

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