Hamster wheel nose injury

Question
Hello. We just got a baby chinese dwarf hamster on saturday. Wednesday morning my daughter brought me to the cage to see him. He had what I thought was bloody nasal discharge on his snout and labored breathing. I called the store and brought him as instructed. They said it was a wheel injury. The poor bugger cut off half his little nose. They said they were going to keep on try to get him through it. They are able to tend to him hourly and make sure he gets water. Have you seen one survive this? I got a mess wheel just like what they had in the cage in the store. My daughter is distraught...

Answer
Poor little thing
I hope the store has got him to the vet... this is a must. He may need antibiotics to the injury and if he has laboured breathing then he might need fluids to counteract the shock.
They should not be just treating him themselves without advice from a vet. I know this from my supervisory experience working in a petstore. It is part of the animal welfare act that any injured animal must get the proper medical attention

I have seen hamsters have leg, toes and face wounds from wheels with spokes on they are dangerous and should be banned.
I cannot say whether he will pull through, but with veterinary treatment he has a better chance

I suggest he has a solid plastic wheel for future reference and you question the store to whether they have taken him to a vet.

i hope he gets well soon x