Signs and Healing Process of Broken Legs in Hamsters
This hamster was bandaged by a veterinarian for a broken leg.
Do Hamsters Have Bones That Can Break?
Hamsters are usually pretty resilient. You're not really going to see a broken bone very often, but when it happens, it can be scary for you and your little guy. Broken legs aren't as big of a concern with larger animals because vets can easily bandage and splint large limbs. Hamsters' limbs are quite small, however, which can make the treatment process more difficult.
Generally, the vet will treat a broken or injured limb by letting the hamster relax and settle down so that their body can heal on its own
Common Causes of Broken Bones in Hamsters
There can be numerous different causes of a broken limb, but the more common causes can include:
- Getting the leg caught in a wire wheel
- Fighting with another hamster
- Scuffling with a cat or dog
- Jumping off a ledge, bed, couch, etc., that was too high off the ground
- Getting accidentally injured by a child
- Being kicked accidentally while in a roll-around ball
This particular hamster ran into a cat and his tibia was broken. The hamster's owner was married to a vet tech at a feline veterinary hospital where they bandaged the hamster.
Signs of a Broken Leg in a Hamster
Each hamster will be a little different, but you'll find that the most common indications that your hamster has broken a bone will include at least one (if not more) of the following signs:
- Limping and not using the affected leg
- Laying on one side
- Moving slowly or not moving
- Having a bone poking through their skin
- Dragging one foot
- Experiencing total or partial paralysis
Broken Bone Treatment at the Vet
If you think that your hamster may have a broken leg, you want to carefully examine him and then immediately take him to the vet. Generally, there's not much that the vet will be able to do because it's not like a human or dog breaking a leg—the vet likely won't be able to wrap it up with a splint.
The vet may, however, prescribe an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, or pain medicine to prevent infection and relieve some of the pain.
At-Home Care After the Vet Visit
You don't want the hamster to put any more strain on the leg than he has to. Here are a few tips for temporarily altering his cage to help out:
- You'll want to remove the wheel, ladders, and toys in the cage, as well as block any tunnels.
- If you have a wire cage, consider putting the hamster in an aquarium until the leg has healed to prevent him from climbing on the bars and wires.
- If you're able to, lower the water bottle so that the hamster doesn't have to try so hard to get a drink.
- If the hamster is housed with other hamsters, move him to his own cage until the leg has healed or the hamster has chewed it off.
How Long Does It Take to Heal?
For light or mild breaks, it should only take about two weeks to heal, but if the break was severe and the bone was outside of the skin, it may take longer. Sometimes, hamsters will chew off broken limbs. If you notice any complications while healing, such as the hamster completely dragging the leg, go back to the vet because you want to avoid an infection as best as you can.
The limb may not heal straight, and the hamster may have a limp, but a limp or a crooked leg won't affect the hamster long-term.
Broken Bone Prevention
The best way to treat a broken bone is to prevent one. Consider these prevention tips:
- You want to make sure to carefully handle your pet hamster. You want to be on the floor, bed, couch, or sitting down somewhere; this way, if the hamster tries to jump, the surface isn't too far away—as long as you're holding the hamster over the bed or couch and not over the floor while you're sitting down.
- Do not leave your hamster unattended because they have very poor eyesight and will jump even if the floor is several feet away.
- If you have young children, don't let them handle the hamster unattended, as they can hurt the hamster by accident.
- Make sure that you have a plastic wheel for the hamster versus one that is made of wire. The wire wheels are dangerous because while running, the hamster can get his feet caught in the wires and break his leg.
- Use common sense.
Example of a Hamster With a Broken Limb
The images above show another hamster who has been bandaged at the vet for a broken leg. This broken bone was caused by hamster aggression. Generally, the two male hamsters were kept separate, but one of the cages was accidentally left open, and the hamster climbed to the other cage, where the enclosed hamster bit the one and then pulled the leg. The hamster with the broken limb possibly jerked backward, which caused most of the damage to the limb.
The bandage is essentially like an ACE bandage. It is made of a chew-deterrent wrap to keep the body at a natural splint. The broken arm is bandaged within the wrap so that it is immobilized. The bandage is large so that the hamster cannot remove it, but it's just right to keep the broken leg from moving around.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Comments
BooBoo Dolly on August 17, 2020:
Guys, in case the article wasn't clear:
Take
Your
Hamster
To
The
Vet
Seriah on July 11, 2020:
so my hamster escaped it’s cage nn jumped off the dresser and she can’t walk on her leg anymore but she’s still running on her wheel what should I do
Rashad on July 02, 2020:
So my hamster is draging its leg
kikki on April 13, 2020:
my hamster broke his leg two days ago now hes walking on it is that bad?
Ina on April 05, 2020:
My hamster leg is swollen and begin to have abscess. Can't I treated my hamster at home?? Why??
Answers? on March 25, 2020:
All the vets around are closed due to coronavirus. So what am I supposed to do with my hamster? She is limping due to a fight with my other hamster.
Aleeza joy on February 08, 2020:
My hamsters has a broken leg from fighting a nother hamster do i took the one who was fighting out and it has other family id just 4 of them any tips on what to do i cant take the tube out so but tge wheel is
frances yozawitz on December 22, 2019:
I have a hamster when I was little.
Ava on November 26, 2019:
They say to use 'common sense ' when they say to remove all wheels etc . Then say to only have a plastic one.Did anyone else spot this?
However thank you for the advice and hopefully my hamster gets better.
kim on November 09, 2019:
my two dwarf hamsters have been fighting for a week now and this particular time i puked him up out of his cage and his leg was facing different directions every time he walked my family can not afford to bring him to the vet i have my other one in a aquarium wi all his needs i don't know what to do please can someone help and give me advice
Mariah Haring on October 08, 2019:
Someone please tell me what I should do
Mariah Haring on October 08, 2019:
So I had made a bun cage for my hampster and she chewed through it and I woke up and my dog was attacking her and I feel like it’s all my fault and now her leg looks like it’s bent in half what should I do please someone help.!
LunatheHamster on August 04, 2019:
I’m scared I dropped my hamster and she has ignored me for the last 5 days
Olivia on May 02, 2019:
my hamster was one time like whole day sleeping and maybe she is sick?
Debbie guest on November 05, 2018:
Hi i am so worried i dont know if my hamster as a sprain or broken leg i can jst see something isnt right cant get into vet till tomorrow . I jst dont understand how he done it
Olly on October 03, 2018:
Thank you. I'm still I'm the process of fixing my hamster up, and trying to determine if he has a sprain or broken leg
Maddie Geelhoed on July 21, 2018:
my hamster has a broken arm not a broken leg and he can't really eat or walk (he can barely walk 3 inches) what should I do?
Frances yozawitz on June 13, 2018:
I Hope that the hamster is doing better.
beatrix on April 05, 2018:
so sad
Belinda on December 26, 2017:
My hamster has a wet tail and is limping all the time what cane I do?
jackelin interiano on December 25, 2017:
How do I notice if my hamster is scared of me?
isa on November 04, 2017:
yesterday my hamster broke her leg it was my accsident I felt alful right now shes sleeping her leg is nt healed yet.but I love her
Jadavion Deleon on September 03, 2017:
What your phone number
Dominic Jarrett on March 30, 2017:
My hamster go his hand stuck in his cage we got him loose but then the next day we noticed it was skinned and his arm was swollen I could see the bone on his finger
Angeli Viola on December 20, 2016:
Hello, can someone help me please? my hamster has this ceramic cup which I used for her house, I only tilted the cup sideways so that she could sleep inside the cup, she really loves sleeping there, then awhile ago I was cleaning the cage then accidentally I somehow flipped the cup upside down, the edge of the cup went flat on her arm...now she can't move it and I really feel bad about it, her arm looks like it's been folded into half, what should I do?
Guest on September 03, 2016:
I dont have a vet for the long weekend what should i do if my dwarf hamster broke her foot to keep her from hurting it more besides what is sugested until i can get her in on tuesday if they have an opening
Delanie on April 13, 2016:
I came home to my hamster dragging both of his back legs, I looked on Google and they said cage paralysis but he has a cage big enough for a rat and I clean his cage once a week. I called the quakertown emergency vet and they said we have to make an appointment witch they don't have an open one for about a week. I've called 4 emergency vets in our area and nobody is helping me, I'm freaking out and no one is helping us at all. I just really hope he isn't paralyzed. What should I do in the mean time??