Bernard fell on the floor😭😭😭

[clerbird321]

He is okay as far as I can tell. He has already been out twice since it happened for more treats and let me pick him up to quickly check him, but I couldn’t get a good look at him for obvious injuries, he was wiggly and I didn’t want him to fall again. I feel so awful

I was holding him and giving him treats and he got wiggly, so as I was trying to put him back in his cage he slipped out of my hands and fell about 1.5 or 1.75 feet onto the hardwood floor I couldn’t tell if he fell on his back or on his feet because I panicked and scooped him up right away before he could run off but he was squeaking and chittering, which is the first time he’s ever made noise.

What do I need to keep an eye out for to make sure he’s okay?? I am so worried and I feel like such a horrendous hammy mom

 

[Maz]

Yes just observe him for the next day or so and check he is ok. It's most likely shock and any injuries will show - see if he's walking ok and looking normal. I'm not lecturing here but it is far too risky to carry them back to the cage - this happens even with the tamest of hamsters - they can just suddenly wriggle free and fall. In future it's best to use a "taxi" (eg a rat tube or similar, with your hands over the end).

He will probably be ok. I also keep a big cushion on the floor in front of the cage - in case they jump out at some point.

 

[clerbird321]

Yes just observe him for the next day or so and check he is ok. It's most likely shock and any injuries will show - see if he's walking ok and looking normal. I'm not lecturing here but it is far too risky to carry them back to the cage - this happens even with the tamest of hamsters - they can just suddenly wriggle free and fall. In future it's best to use a "taxi" (eg a rat tube or similar, with your hands over the end).

He will probably be ok. I also keep a big cushion on the floor in front of the cage - in case they jump out at some point.

Sorry I should have been more clear, I was sitting right in front of his cage and was just putting him back in when he wriggled out of my hands. I never carry him away from the cage and if I have to put him in his carrier I use a large mug to transport from cage to carrier. But don’t apologize for lecturing lol, I’m a newbie so I appreciate the help!

He went into his burrow but came out twice after that and came up to the front begging for treats, and seemed to be walking okay but it’s hard to tell. He also climbed up to his water bowl like he always does just fine. That is a good idea about the cushion, maybe I’ll leave a thick blanket there.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I hope little Bernard will be OK, sending wishes for healing

 

[clerbird321]

Yes just observe him for the next day or so and check he is ok. It's most likely shock and any injuries will show - see if he's walking ok and looking normal. I'm not lecturing here but it is far too risky to carry them back to the cage - this happens even with the tamest of hamsters - they can just suddenly wriggle free and fall. In future it's best to use a "taxi" (eg a rat tube or similar, with your hands over the end).

He will probably be ok. I also keep a big cushion on the floor in front of the cage - in case they jump out at some point.

hi again! I’ve noticed he hasn’t been peeing on his wheel quite as much. He usually pees mainly in his burrows and his wheel. Otherwise he’s been acting normal, drinking water, eating, running on his wheel, etc. He didn’t come out much for treats yesterday but he was up during his normal hours. I’m going to clean his burrow tonight so I’ll be able to get another good look at him. I wondered if maybe he changed his wheel peeing habit because he’s injured buuuut I think I noticed less pee on his wheel a couple days before he fell. Does this sound like he’s doing okay?

 

[Maz]

It's all sounding positive. Could be coincidence he's not peeing on his wheel so much The main thing is that he is actually peeing so yes checking is a good idea.

 

[clerbird321]

It's all sounding positive. Could be coincidence he's not peeing on his wheel so much The main thing is that he is actually peeing so yes checking is a good idea.

What should I check for? He pees in his burrow as well but I guess I don’t know how to tell if there’s more in there than usual.

 

[Socks' Mum]

The amount of pee can fluctuate with what hammy is eating. For instance, cucumber and lettuce are diuretic. Also, once the pee dries on his wheel, the scent lasts for a while and the wheel might be scent marked to his satisfaction. I think hammies only pee a couple of times a day, so he might have peed elsewhere to top up his scent in those places, especially if there has been anything new in or near his cage lately. It is important to keep an eye on how much pee and poop is being done generally as part of routine health checks, so don't hesitate to visit your vet or speak to him or her if you have concerns. Once you have cleaned the burrow, you can have a sniff a few days later to check if this is where he is doing his toilet The presence of other pets or even a male human could also make him shy about peeing on his wheel. Hamsters are fascinating, their behaviour is very complex

 

[Maz]

What should I check for? He pees in his burrow as well but I guess I don’t know how to tell if there’s more in there than usual.

Good point, you won't know whether it's old pee or current pee You could maybe have him out of the cage in a plastic bin for a bit then if he pees you'll see it clearly. Then give him some extra cuddle and treat time for being put in a plastic bin He probably is peeing or he'd likely show signs of discomfort but it's best to check.

 

[Rescued One]

Sorry I should have been more clear, I was sitting right in front of his cage and was just putting him back in when he wriggled out of my hands. I never carry him away from the cage and if I have to put him in his carrier I use a large mug to transport from cage to carrier. But don’t apologize for lecturing lol, I’m a newbie so I appreciate the help!

He went into his burrow but came out twice after that and came up to the front begging for treats, and seemed to be walking okay but it’s hard to tell. He also climbed up to his water bowl like he always does just fine. That is a good idea about the cushion, maybe I’ll leave a thick blanket there.

If he is using all four feet evenly when walking or climbing and not suddenly stopping (as if he has a sudden pain in the side), eating ok and drinking ok by this point he is probably going to be fine. I hate to admit it, but I have had the occasional hamster attempt flight

 

[clerbird321]

Good point, you won't know whether it's old pee or current pee You could maybe have him out of the cage in a plastic bin for a bit then if he pees you'll see it clearly. Then give him some extra cuddle and treat time for being put in a plastic bin He probably is peeing or he'd likely show signs of discomfort but it's best to check.

Okay thanks!! I’m going to clean his burrow tonight so that’ll be good timing to do this. I usually put him in his carrier with bedding and a hide and some chews while I clean, but should I just put him in a clear plastic bin with a hide and chews but no bedding this time?

 

[Maz]

You could put him in his carrier without bedding if it’s big enough. Seems a bit mean but you can make up for it afterwards.

 

[clerbird321]

You could put him in his carrier without bedding if it’s big enough. Seems a bit mean but you can make up for it afterwards.

https://a.co/d/0bAoA8el

It’s this one, the 11.8 inch option. He’d be in there for at least 1-2hrs, should he pee during that time?

My poor lil guy He always gets lots of treats after cleaning

 

[Maz]

Yes that's ok You could maybe put a little ceramic house in it if you have one - something that won't soak up pee - so he doesn't feel too exposed. Or a mug on it's side if no ceramic house. And a bit of cucumber and maybe something like a whimzee.

It's weighing up the discomfort versus stress. The alternative, as mentioned above, is spot clean him now then check again a day later to see if there's any more pee in his nest/pee area. Rather than the no bedding pet carrier option. Either way it's upheaval for him. I think I would go the pet carrier route without bedding personally.

 

[clerbird321]

Yes that's ok You could maybe put a little ceramic house in it if you have one - something that won't soak up pee - so he doesn't feel too exposed. Or a mug on it's side if no ceramic house. And a bit of cucumber and maybe something like a whimzee.

It's weighing up the discomfort versus stress. The alternative, as mentioned above, is spot clean him now then check again a day later to see if there's any more pee in his nest/pee area. Rather than the no bedding pet carrier option. Either way it's upheaval for him. I think I would go the pet carrier route without bedding personally.

Okay I’ll do the carrier. How often should they pee? And what should their healthy pee look like?

 

[Maz]

Depends! I'd have thought he would pee within a couple of hours. Pee can look different at times - sometimes as you'd expect and sometimes almost whiteish liquid. You wouldn't be able to tell if it's "normal" or not, main thing is to check he can actually pee. But if he seems active and well he probably is peeing.

 

[clerbird321]

Depends! I'd have thought he would pee within a couple of hours. Pee can look different at times - sometimes as you'd expect and sometimes almost whiteish liquid. You wouldn't be able to tell if it's "normal" or not, main thing is to check he can actually pee. But if he seems active and well he probably is peeing.

Definitely makes sense, thanks I scheduled a vet appt for him in 2 days, partly to make sure he’s okay and calm my nerves, partly to establish care!

 

[Maz]

That sounds like a good idea A bit of a checkover. I once read an article by a vet about hamster falls and they said that most of the time the hamster is fine and just a bit in shock and any injury usually clearly shows (eg spinal damage). I had a robo "fall out" of the cage when I opened the door once,falling about 3 feet - but - I had a large cushion on the floor - he landed on that. I've also had a Syrian sneakily leap out of the door (he was a bit stressed after a cage change) - he also landed on the cushion! Big floor cushions near a cage are really useful!

 

[clerbird321]

That sounds like a good idea A bit of a checkover. I once read an article by a vet about hamster falls and they said that most of the time the hamster is fine and just a bit in shock and any injury usually clearly shows (eg spinal damage). I had a robo "fall out" of the cage when I opened the door once,falling about 3 feet - but - I had a large cushion on the floor - he landed on that. I've also had a Syrian sneakily leap out of the door (he was a bit stressed after a cage change) - he also landed on the cushion! Big floor cushions near a cage are really useful!

Mind if I see your setup with cushions??

 

[clerbird321]

Depends! I'd have thought he would pee within a couple of hours. Pee can look different at times - sometimes as you'd expect and sometimes almost whiteish liquid. You wouldn't be able to tell if it's "normal" or not, main thing is to check he can actually pee. But if he seems active and well he probably is peeing.

He peed after only about 10mins in the bin lol! Does this look normal? Also he enjoyed his first cucumber