Hamsters are small, cylindrical animals found in the mammal family. They are named for the sound they make when running.
While most hamsters are brown, there are many other colors such as black, orange, and white. These hamsters are called variety marks or variety patterns.
Surprisingly, these colored hamsters do not mix well! The white is what attracts the others to it. They also have varying heights which affect how long they live!
Elastic leg bands are a great way to monitor your leg band’s recovery. You can make them in several ways but the most basic is to cut some cheesecloth and wrap it around a leg band.
How to set a hamster’s leg
When setting a hamster’s leg, it is important to know how long it takes to heal. A leg that is not healed can easily become a problem for your hamster.
Many people set their legs at a slightly lower point than the mark because they think the leg must be healed before it can be set. This is not necessary!
Healing can take a while, so if you set your hamster’s leg soon after surgery, it may still be healing. If you wait until the foot is fully extended, the risk of bacterial infection is higher.
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Take your hamster to the vet
If your hamster has a broken leg, take it to the vet as soon as possible. A broken leg can happen in a number of ways, but the most common scenario is when the hamster falls or is kicked by a dog or kid.
In this scenario, the dog or kid may try to take advantage of the hamster by putting their foot in its mouth, for example. Or they could try to sit on its tail, which is what happens when you handle it.
Either way, the hamster would get hurt and you would have to take it to the vet to have it treated. The vet can either put it in an induced coma or prescribe medicine to keep it asleep.
If you take it at home, make sure you have enough padding so that if your hamster gets Hurt up there, it doesn’t fall. Also, make sure you have clean water and food available at all times.
Keep your hamster still
If you decide to put your hamster in a confinement system, you must make sure it has plenty of space to move. A hamster should have at least 1 square meter (1 sq ft) of space to live in.
To achieve this, you must provide a cage that is at least 2 feet (60 cm) long, 1½ feet (44 cm) wide and 1½ feet (44 cm) high. Your hamster must be able to walk and get out of the cage to recover.
Besides having a lot of space, the animal also needs water. A hamster requires 5–6% water content in its diet compared to an average mouse, so keep an eye on its weight.
To prevent thirst related accidents or misunderstandings, make sure to explain how much water your hamster needs. You can also buy either boiled or uncooked food items for this purpose.
Make a crutch for your hamster
If your hamster falls, try not to be too hard on them. Instead of trying to help him get up, you can make a crutch out of some kitchen paper towels or dishrag and let him use it to get up.
You can also put a small towel under the hamster’s feet to prevent him from sliding. In these cases, the best step is to take away the treats and toys your hamster gets and put in some plain old water.
One last tip: If you try this approach, keep an eye out for signs of arthritis or another health issue. Keeping an animal with health issues on a diet might mean giving up food too quickly for your hamster, or could create nutritional deficiencies that he needs to recover from.
Help your hamster walk again
If your hamster has a broken leg, you must help it recover from this injury. This can be done by taking it to a pet hospital or by trying out some of the tips in this article.
First, you can try putting some newspapers under its feet to help increase his mobility. Or you can try buying a special hamster exercise ball at the pet store that is shaped like its leg.
Another way to help your hamster recover from this injury is to give it something to climb. If you have some sturdy books or floorboards at home, give them out as toys for your hamster to play with.
Last but not least, try giving it some warm water as soon as you notice it has been injured.
Monitor the leg constantly
A broken leg is a very serious injury. The trick is not to let it heal. If you repair the wound, the leg can continue to function.
Once it breaks, there is no way to stop the healing process. The organs and bones continue to grow and re-attach themselves, leading to an extended period of time with no recovery.
This can be a challenge for a hamster. Most recover by re-applying their own strength of stem cells orgnuization, which occurs when new tissue grows in place of the old tissue.
However, if this doesn’t occur quickly, new tissue may not grow in place of the old tissue and the hamster will remain with a broken leg until its next treatment.
This can be extremely difficult on a hamster because of all the growth occurring during this time.
Be careful with your hamster
If you have a hamster that has a broken leg, be very careful. You must wrap it in clingfilm or an extra layer of bedding to prevent it getting cold.
To prevent it breaking its leg again, you must keep up the pace of healing. A leg has a high rate of breakage during recovery!
To prevent it contracting something worse such as tetanus, you must ensure the wound is covered with medicine every day. You can buy Tetanase, which does this for free.
If you do not have Tetanase, then be sure to avoid open wounds and rough surfaces until the leg has fully healed. These can cause further breakage or infection!
Do not let your hamster go outside until both legs have been healed and they are feeling good.
Know how to handle your hamster properly
If you notice your hamster is having any kind of problem, like if she is not feeling well, or if she has a wound, then you should probably take her to the vet.
The way to handle your hamster at the vet is to make sure she gets lots of warm water and food. Also, check her leg to see if it’s broken.
If it is, then wrap it in bandages so it does not get wet. Make sure to keep an eye on her at all times to make sure she does not get hungry or thirsty.
At the vet, they can decide if they want to put stitches in her leg or not. If they do, make sure you cover up the wound so it does not bleed out!
The good news is that surgery can sometimes help bring your hamster back from being hurt.
Known for her engaging storytelling and insightful articles,John's hamster blog has become a go-to resource for hamster lovers everywhere. Her ability to blend knowledge, creativity, and a touch of humor has earned her a loyal following of readers who eagerly anticipate her next post.
John's love for hamsters began in her childhood when she received her first pet hamster, Whiskers. Ever since that fateful day, her fascination with these tiny furballs has grown into a full-fledged obsession. She spends countless hours researching, experimenting, and observing hamster behavior to ensure that her writing is always backed by solid knowledge and firsthand experiences.
Through her blog,John strives to educate fellow hamster owners on the importance of providing proper care and a nurturing environment for these small creatures. She covers a wide range of topics, from choosing the right hamster species and setting up the perfect habitat to nutrition, health, and behavior training. Her tips and tricks are practical and easy to follow, ensuring that every hamster owner can give their pet the love and care it deserves.
John's writing not only caters to hamster enthusiasts but also serves as a valuable resource for those considering bringing a hamster into their lives. Her articles provide an in-depth understanding of the responsibilities and Joys of hamster ownership, helping prospective owners make informed decisions.
WhenJohn isn't busy writing or tending to her furry companions, she can often be found volunteering at local animal shelters and hamster rescue organizations. She firmly believes in the power of community and hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of as many hamsters as possible.
John's dedication to the well-being of hamsters and her ability to communicate her knowledge with passion and clarity have made her a respected authority in the hamster community. Her blog continues to inspire and educate, creating a stronger bond between humans and their adorable hamster friends.
FollowJohn on her hamster blog to embark on an exciting Journey into the world of hamsters, where love, care, and happiness come together to create unforgettable experiences.
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