Hamster having a fit?

Question
QUESTION: Hi There Joanne, Our hamster, Arthur is about 16 months old. Has always
been happy and lively. Today, he was on the table, didn't knock himself or
anything, but he suddnly seemed unable to put any weight on his left side -
to the extend that his left legs collapsed and he ended up rolling around. We
picked him up, stroked him and he then could walk with a limp, which quickly
got better. Within ten minutes he was back to his normal self. Did he have a
stroke for example? Is there anything we can do if it happens again? Many
thanks, David
ANSWER: Hi David,

Hmmmmmmm. it could have been a stroke, or simply a trapped nerve. Hamsters usually recover well from strokes, though it can be 2 days or up to a few weeks before they recover completely, it is unusual for a hamster to recover from a stroke so quickly. If it happens again, see a vet, at home, you should move his food, water bottle and bed close to each other so he can reach them easily in the even of a more severe stroke.

However I am still not convinced it was a stroke, either way, if it happens again, and he does have longer lasting effects, see my answer on how to care for him until you can see a vet.

Best of luck and thank you for your question.

joanne x

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Joanne, Thank you so much for your reply. On returning home this
evening we took Arthur out and he is now dragging his hind rear right leg -
the opposite side to what happened last night. He appears to have no feeling
in the leg whatsoever - we can touch it and move it and he doesn't notice.
However, he seems full of life and quite happily devoured a peanut. We're
taking him to the Vet first thing tomorrow but if you have any pointers as to
what we can ask they'd be so appreciated. We're both so worried! Many
thanks,

David
ANSWER: hi David,

excuse me for my late reply - i was at work :)

it sounds like he's had a second stroke during the night. which would explain the lazy limb. the vet will tell you everything you need to know, such as how to look after him, what to do if it happens again etc. if he doesn't just ask. it could be heat stroke or cage paralysis, the latter sounds unlikely though because it's caused when a hamster can't get enough excersize, or theres not enough room in his cage to move around, but you seem love him and i have no doubt that he gets out regularly :)

whatever happens please let me know as i'd love to hear how the little fella is and if he will be ok.

thank you for keeping in touch with me and best of luck at the vets.

joanne x

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Joanne,
Thanks so much for your reply. Here's an update as requested - but first - he
definitely doesn't suffer for a lack of exercise - he's quite the most spoilt
hamster ever - we get back from work and he's usually out with us in his ball
or on the sofa every evening!
Anyway, we took him to the Vet who thinks that he must have landed
awkwardly after a fall (he did drop off the Sofa on the Thursday) and has
inflamed his back which is interfering with his ability to use his rear right leg.
He was still dragging the leg on the Saturday morning when we took him, but
the Vet said he was able to kick using the leg. She gave him an anti-
inflammatory injection and told us to rearrange his house so it was all one
level - not an easy task since its currently over four! - we then left him to
himself for a night. Last night he now has movement back to leg and hip but
it is still very awkward, but still no movement in the foot itself - its still curled
up. However he is putting weight on it. So all seems on the mend but we are
still concerned he may damage the foot by walking on it wrong. Thanks so
much for all your help. I don;t know if there is anyway for us to send you a
picture of him at all?

Best,

David


Answer
hi david,

thank you for getting in touch with me and letting me know how she is. shame i was wrong with my answer, most hamsters that get back injuries unfortunately don't recover, which is why i ruled that out, so she's a lucky lil soul thats for sure :)

as for a picture, do you have a forum or myspace account you can upload it onto? you can send me the link via private question :)

joanne x