Buzz
Hamster mice are small, agile creatures. However, due to their active nature, they are prone to falling from heights, which can result in fractures, primarily in the hind legs. A fracture is a serious issue, and it's essential to provide the best care for your hamster. If the fracture is open, immediate veterinary attention is necessary. For closed fractures, allowing your hamster to rest in its cage can aid in the healing process of the bone.
Steps to Follow
Response When a Hamster Mouse Experiences a Bone Fracture
Identifying the Signs of a Fracture. You may notice that your hamster is in pain, as it will no longer be as active or eager to move. Other signs of a fracture include:
- Swelling
- Unusual sounds caused by the fractured bone rubbing against itself
- The bone protruding through the skin (a rare occurrence)
Distinguishing between open and closed bone fractures. If you suspect that your hamster may have a bone fracture, it's important to identify whether it's an open or closed fracture. In the case of an open fracture, you may be able to see the broken bone through the torn skin. For a closed fracture, the broken bone and wound will not be visible. Instead, the bone will remain enclosed within the legs. If the hamster has a closed fracture, you may notice the following signs:
- The hamster drags its leg
- The hamster avoids putting weight on the injured leg
- You might hear a cracking sound when lightly touching the injury
Knowing when to take your hamster to the vet. A hamster with an open fracture should be immediately taken to the vet. You cannot treat an open fracture at home. Furthermore, if left untreated, the bone’s exposed end can get infected, spreading to surrounding tissues, leading to blood poisoning, and ultimately causing the hamster's death. When experiencing an open fracture, the hamster will be in pain and slow-moving, so it’s crucial to visit a vet immediately.
- Prepare yourself for the possibility that the vet might need to euthanize the hamster (providing a peaceful death) to avoid further suffering. If no medical treatments can heal the leg, euthanasia will save the hamster from pain.
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Veterinarian
Pippa Elliott, veterinarian, advises: "Please take your hamster to the vet, even if you only suspect a bone fracture. Your hamster could have been in pain for a while and needs to be assessed for pain relief."
Preparing for surgery for your hamster. If the hamster has an open fracture, the vet might suggest surgically removing or stabilizing the broken bone. Both procedures are risky and must be performed under sterile conditions to prevent infection. The hamster will be anesthetized to avoid pain. Keep in mind that the success rate for such surgeries is very low, and there is a chance that the hamster could die during the procedure.
- Never attempt to set the hamster's bones without anesthesia. The hamster will experience extreme pain if not properly anesthetized. Only a professional veterinarian can safely perform this procedure.
- Do not administer painkillers to the hamster, as they are too small and at risk of overdose. Overdosing on painkillers can be deadly and cause stomach ulcers.
Managing the treatment of closed bone fractures
Give your hamster ample rest. Remove the hamster's wheel to prevent further injury. If your hamster lives in a multi-level Rotastak cage with climbing tubes, you should dismantle all the tubes, ramps, or platforms so that your hamster can stay still in one place. Avoid letting your hamster play with a ball to support its recovery. Generally, try not to encourage movement or walking when the hamster's leg is broken.
- Prevent your hamster from overexerting itself to reduce pressure on the broken leg, allowing the fractured bones to heal and reconnect gradually.
- Using the hamster wheel or letting the hamster move around too much will disrupt the healing tissue and hinder the bone's ability to set properly.
Provide your hamster with balanced nutrition. Consult a veterinarian for a healthy diet for your hamster that includes fruits and vegetables. Consider offering dried vegetables or pellets to prevent fresh vegetables from rotting if your hamster hoards food in one corner of the cage. You may also give your hamster milk, as the calcium helps the bones heal. However, always use fresh milk and change it every two hours to prevent bacterial contamination. Do not overfeed your hamster to avoid weight gain that could strain the injured leg.
- Not all hamsters can tolerate milk. If you notice soft pellets or diarrhea, stop giving milk immediately.
Avoid bandaging the broken bone. Hamsters are too small to be effectively bandaged. Bandages can rub against the skin, causing irritation and pain. Furthermore, hamsters may chew or even swallow the bandages. Additionally, a bandage can apply pressure to the broken bone, causing discomfort.
- Keep in mind that while bandages are helpful for larger animals like dogs or cats, hamsters are too tiny to be properly bandaged.
Patience is key, and watch for signs of recovery. Typically, a hamster's broken bone can heal in at least 4 weeks, but some hamsters may need up to 12 weeks or longer for full recovery. During this time, you can check for signs of recovery such as walking on the injured leg or reduced swelling. If you gently touch the injured leg and the hamster does not react or squeak, it may be healing. If the hamster shows signs of pain, avoid touching the leg.
- The most definitive way to confirm that the hamster's bone is healed is through an X-ray, although this can be expensive and requires anesthesia.
- If the hamster's leg is healed, you can resume allowing it to use the wheel or reinstall multi-level platforms in the cage. In some cases, the healing process may go wrong, causing the leg to become dislocated. If this happens, don't panic. Simply monitor the situation, and the hamster will gradually recover.
