Leg stuck in bridge

[Bunni]

Hello everyone. I'm looking for some help.

About an hour ago, my hamster Bunni's leg got stuck in one of her bendable bridges. The leg looked raw and very red but did not seem to be bleeding. Her foot (which was stuck) was cold and limp and she didn't seem to be able to feel it. I managed to get her leg unstook and she ran back to her house. While she was definitely limping, her behaviour is almost normal (eating, drinking, etc). The leg is purpley blue but not black. I moved her to a travel enclosure so that there are no ledges or wheels and she is currently asleep.

I understand that she runs the risk of chewing her leg off but there are no open vets in my area on a Sunday. I'm going to monitor her for today and bring her to the vet tomorrow if there is no improvement. I'll try to attach a photo later if when she wakes up.

Does anyone have any advice for me in the meantime?

 

[Maz]

I'm really sorry to hear this. There should be an emergency vet number where they can at least give you advice over the phone. Meanwhile, if you can, it could be an idea to try and gently handle her and see if you can gently rub or massage the foot a bit to bring the circulation back. You might need to wear gloves in case she tries to bite if she's stressed.

I would chuck the bendy bridge in question. If she seems to be behaving ok in the next hour or so and not trying to chew at the foot, then she is probably fine back in her cage where she can act more normally.

 

[Bunni]

Thank you for the reply.

I'll definitely try handling her and massaging the foot. Hopefully it helps

 

[Maz]

Let us know how you go on. Do you know how long she had been stuck like that? If she did try to amputate it, it's a protection instinct to save the rest of the leg. I hope you can get vet advice on the phone.

 

[Maz]

Some warmth may help too - ie a warm flannel or cloth wrapped round it. On and off. Hamsters are wriggly things so you may need breaks in between doing things. Hopefully she'll realise you're trying to help.

 

[Bunni]

Let us know how you go on. Do you know how long she had been stuck like that? If she did try to amputate it, it's a protection instinct to save the rest of the leg. I hope you can get vet advice on the phone.

I don't believe that she was stuck for long but I'm too sure. She hasn't tried to amputate the leg and never did try. While she was stuck, she was licking her leg and grooming herself a bit but never chewed at it.

 

[Bunni]

Some warmth may help too - ie a warm flannel or cloth wrapped round it. On and off. Hamsters are wriggly things so you may need breaks in between doing things. Hopefully she'll realise you're trying to help.

Should I wrap it around the leg like a make shift cast?

 

[Maz]

I meant more like just a warm damp flannel and just wrap it there for maybe 30 seconds to a minute at a time - just to add the warmth. It's good she has been licking it as she is helping to bring the circulation back herself. Did you find an emergency vet number? They may have better advice

 

[RainbowBrite]

Welcome to the forum Bunni. I am sorry to hear this happened to your hamster. Maz has given you great advice.

 

[Maz]

Do you have a photo of the bendy bridge and gap in it? It would be useful to see to warn others of what size gaps are risky. Any gap is risky but it gives a visual warning. I don't mean right now, while you're dealing with your hamster But when you get chance.

 

[Bunni]

I meant more like just a warm damp flannel and just wrap it there for maybe 30 seconds to a minute at a time - just to add the warmth. It's good she has been licking it as she is helping to bring the circulation back herself. Did you find an emergency vet number? They may have better advice

Oh okay I understand about the flannel. Yes I did find a number and I'll be ringing them now. Thank you so much!

 

[Bunni]

Do you have a photo of the bendy bridge and gap in it? It would be useful to see to warn others of what size gaps are risky. Any gap is risky but it gives a visual warning. I don't mean right now, while you're dealing with your hamster But when you get chance.

Here is the bridge in question The bridge was straight so that should be the size it was but obviously since they bend, they can be much smaller or bigger.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Yes, there are gaps there. Ideally there should not be any gaps at all in bendy bridges. Some people glue moss or bedding in-between the gaps. I hope you can get through to a vet. I do not know if you are in the UK as here it is a bank holiday weekend so it may be difficult.

 

[Bunni]

Yes, there are gaps there. Ideally there should not be any gaps at all in bendy bridges. Some people glue moss or bedding in-between the gaps. I hope you can get through to a vet. I do not know if you are in the UK as here it is a bank holiday weekend so it may be difficult.

I never knew about gluing moss between the gaps but I'll definitely do that in the future if I'm using bridges. I'm in Ireland but vets close on Sundays for some reason which is quite annoying. They reopen tomorrow so I'll definitely take her ASAP.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I never knew about gluing moss between the gaps but I'll definitely do that in the future if I'm using bridges. I'm in Ireland but vets close on Sundays for some reason which is quite annoying. They reopen tomorrow so I'll definitely take her ASAP.

It is the same here too but there are emergency vets opened. Is it possible to call the emergency vet just to ask for advice?

 

[Bunni]

It is the same here too but there are emergency vets opened. Is it possible to call the emergency vet just to ask for advice?

I rang them there and they gave me very similar advice. They said to keep the leg warm, keep her in a smaller enclosure to let her rest and to book an appointment for tomorrow. They said to monitor the leg to make sure she doesn't amputate it but considering the colour and that she hasn't yet, that it might be broken or infected or anything. However, I still will be taking her to the vet.
I'm going to try the warm flannel and massaging now. I'll keep you updated. Thank you both for all of your help!

 

[Maz]

I've stopped using them altogether because some are so badly made and dodgy. You can get the coloured ones (or plain wood ones) that are smooth wood and so more uniform and no gaps.

 

[RainbowBrite]

That all sounds very positive.

 

[Bunni]

I've stopped using them altogether because some are so badly made and dodgy. You can get the coloured ones (or plain wood ones) that are smooth wood and so more uniform and no gaps.

I'll have to look into those. It's extremely disappointing the amount of hamster products that are sold that are unsafe.

 

[Maz]

It certainly is - many of us have wasted money on dodgy products! I tend to stick to ceramic, smooth wood, plastic, items made without nails and cork now. Even some smooth wood can be splintery and need sanding!