Hamster with injured leg – possibly broken

[Socks' Mum]

Excellent to hear that she is more comfortable. She is a brave hammy with a good owner

 

[Maz]

Hello. I've been waiting on the dog metacam, I've placed an order and been waiting for their call. Since my last post, Charlie's leg has been fortunately improving. The last time i checked was today, and the bruising was almost completely gone. She even moves it a little, very cheerful news comparing to the time where she would immediately freak out if I blew on it.
I've read all of the posts above again and again to completely understand and I'm still waiting on the med in case something happens. But even without it, she seems to be healing nicely.
One of the vets said the safe dose for her would be .02 ml. I have spare syringes at home from feeding budgie chicks, it's as soon as I get my hands on it.
Thank you for all your help through this time. I've been worried sick something would happen to her. She proved again and again that she's been a fighter from day one. ❤

Aw that is really good news the swelling is going down and she's improving I do think metacam will help as it's anti inflammatory as well as pain relieving and might speed up recovery as she'll feel more comfortable. 0.02mls sounds about right to me

Once open, a bottle of metacam lasts about 6 months (technically but it can last a lot longer according to my vet who always said - that could be useful if you need it for any other pets). I don't know if birds have metacam though Do you have a dog at all?

It's usually a very small bottle but lasts a long time with such a tiny dose, but I used to end up finding I had a fair bit of waste with trying to draw up the dose from one syringe to the other.

The injury must have been very sudden for it to swell and bruise and now be going down. Did the vet actually see her at all or just prescribe the meds?

Does everything look right otherwise? No deformity (like there would be with a dislocation - eg a leg not at the right angle?)

 

[Zara]

Great to hear Charlie’s leg is looking better

 

[Maz]

So now I guess the thing is to work out how she injured it so it doesn't happen again! Are you still suspecting the old wheel?

If so, and she will need a wheel once she's improved, what options are there where you are? The plastic trixie wheel is often available in many countries.

Trixie 28cm plastic wheel - Amazon (affiliate link)

 

[charlieqhel]

Hi, I'll check the wheel out! Thank you so much Maz. Sorry I haven't been able to reply, I've been busy with exams and other things, but don't worry I still made sure Charlie was comfortable whilst.

As of recently, the bruising has been gone completely. Only a little scab she got from probably gnawing on it. She can't quite use it as well as the other, but she is doing simple movements with it. I feel so emotional seeing her heal.

I still couldn't get my hands on the medication, unfortunately. I reached out to the vet, they said it'd come in the next week. Obtaining the medication is definitely the hardest part in this, and even if she completely heals before it arrives, I'll definitely get it just in case.

 

[Maz]

I hope you can get it. Does the vet not have it available? If she's chewing at her leg then it shows she is having some pain. If it's next week that is something

 

[charlieqhel]

I hope you can get it. Does the vet not have it available? If she's chewing at her leg then it shows she is having some pain. If it's next week that is something

She was – but it seems she has stopped because it is scabbed. Also, the vet put in an order for me last week because they were out of it.

 

[Maz]

Ah that's good she's stopped now Maybe it's settling down. I think the meds will still help while she's recovering as it'll take away any twinges so she's more relaxed about the leg maybe. And it helps reduce inflammation as well.