Hamster health questions

Question
Hi Shawntiah,

We received 2 hamsters from a friend.  We have had them for 3 weeks.  Today, within the last 2 hours 1 of them has really bloated up and is dragging her hind legs.  She is too bloated to go through the tubes.  She seems very uncomfortable and is squawking quite often.  She goes in a floor ball a few times each day for exercise.  She does not have a wheel in her cage yet (tomorrow).  I read about little exercise, lethargy and small cages can lead to hind leg paralysis??  She sleeps quite often.

What am I dealing with?  What can I do?

cheers
Craig

Answer
It sounds like she may also be constipated as well, you can try giving her a strawberry and seeing if that helps moves her digestive tract and stop the bloating but if her cage is too small they will experience problems. If the cage is too small you can place her in a bigger cage, I would also contact a vet and take her in to figure out why the legs aren't moving.
Keep me posted on things go with the hamster.