Hamsters are small.They can be dropped because of their squirming.It's easy for a bone to snap if they fall from a height.A broken bone, also known as a fracture, is a serious problem and you must always put your pet's welfare first when deciding what is best.If your hamster has an open fracture, you need to take him to the vet.cage rest can help the bones heal if the fracture is closed.
Step 1: There are signs of a broken bone.
You can tell if your hamster is in pain.He might not want to move.A crackling or popping sound from the broken bone rubbing against itself is one of the telltale signs of a fractured hamster.
Step 2: There are two types of fracture, an open and closed one.
You need to determine what type of break your hamster has if you suspect he has a broken bone.The white of the bone will poke through the skin if it's an open fracture.The bones are not visible if he has a closed fracture.The muscles of the leg are sealed off from the broken bones.There is a crunching sensation beneath your fingers when you gently feel the area if your hamster has a closed fracture.
Step 3: Know when to go to the doctor.
You should visit the vet if your hamster has an open fracture.You won't be able to treat this kind of break at home and without medical treatment, your hamster will get infections and die.This is painful for your hamster, so get immediate help.You should be prepared for the vet to suggest that the hamster be euthanized.Euthanasia will save your pet from pain and suffering if there is no medical option to treat the leg.
Step 4: Prepare for surgery.
If your hamster has a broken limb, the best course of treatment is to amputate it or try to fix it.Both of these procedures need to be done under strict sterile surgical conditions in order to avoid infections.Anesthetized hamsters will be able to deal with the pain.The procedure is high risk and there is a high chance that the hamster will pass away if they try to replace the bone ends without anesthesia.It should be done under medical supervision.The small size of the hamster makes it inevitable that you will overdose it.It is harmful to give too much pain relief.
Step 5: Your hamster needs a lot of rest.
The hamster wheel can cause more damage to the leg.Remove the connections, shelving, and ladders if he lives in a system with multiple levels and pipes to climb through.He should not be put in his exercise ball while he heals.If he struggles or moves awkwardly on the broken leg, don't handle him.You can reduce the amount of weight the hamster puts on the leg by preventing him from being too active.The fractured ends can start knitting together.The early scar tissue will be disrupted if the hamster is active and uses his wheel.
Step 6: Feed
A healthy diet should include fresh fruits and vegetables.If your hamster tries to keep them in a corner of his cage, consider offering them dried vegetables and other pellets so that they don't rot.Milk can help heal bones, so you may want to offer it.Make sure the milk is fresh and replaced at least every two hours.If you feed your hamster too much, it may grow overweight and put more weight on its broken leg.Not all hamsters can digest milk, so if his pellets become soft, stop giving him milk immediately.
Step 7: Bandaging the broken bone is not advisable.
Since hamsters are so small, it's not possible to bandage the broken bone in a way that will help the healing process.It's more likely that a bandage would hurt your hamster.Your hamster is most likely to chew off the bandage.The pressure of the bandage could cause more pain.Cats and dogs have broken bones that can be supported in bandages, but their bones are first aligned.This is not possible because of the small size of a hamster.
Step 8: Look for signs of healing.
Some hamsters can take up to 12 weeks to heal from a fractured jaw.If you give him time, watch for signs of healing, like walking on the leg or no swelling over the broken bone.If the broken leg has healed, he won't react with pain and there shouldn' t be any grating if you gently handle it.If he feels pain, stop handling him.If healing is complete, you should have your hamster x-rayed.You may need to anesthetize your hamster.The hamster's wheel can be reintroduced if he has healed.Your hamster's leg may not heal correctly.Don't worry if it does.It should be fine if you just monitor it.