My hamster is staggering. What could be wrong?

Question

I have a Russian Dwarf Hamster (At least I believe that's what it's called.) It's slightly over a year old. We feed it nothing out of the ordinary, fruits occasionally, mostly vegetables, tortilla, and hamster food. Her wheel is solid plastic (Not made of wires) and she hasn't had a major fall that we know of.

About a week ago she was dragging her hind legs. Now she moves them and uses them (For scratching, mostly) and she can't keep her balance at all. She tumbles and staggers everywhere she goes. I don't think she can reach her water either (We've placed a small bowl for water in her cage.)

Any of you animal lovers know what these symptoms could mean? It's lasted for days, and I'm worried for her.

And I'm sure someone will recommend the vet, so while I'm at it, what kind of bill am I looking at here if I take her to the vet?

Answer 1

Hind Limb Paralysis is a common problem in hamsters due to the following reasons -

1. Old age

2. Falling down and injuring / breaking the leg

3. Cage paralysis - where the cage is too small for the hamster to walk around

4. Hereditary - where the hamster is born with a defective gene causing the paralysis as it becomes an adult

Her stumbling and staggering is also due to her hind limnb paralysis since moving around without the function of her hind limbs is also new to her.

Whatever is the reason for her hind leg paralysis, she definitely needs a vet's opinion. I would not know what is the vet costs where you live but it does not cost much to take an opinion from a vet and treatment for small animals like hamsters are generally not expensive.

Answer 2

Her leg is probably broken, go see a vet.

Answer 3

that means it has cancer if you look closely under her she might have a bump my hampster had it and i had a russian dwarf one and we didnt get it taken care if you want her to live take her to the vet and get her a shot other wise she will die! the bill will be 30 to 50 bucks for my hampster it was 45 but she died right before we took her in so hurry up and get her to the vet and if you dont want to pay that much just put her out of paind and bring her to the vet to put her to sleep

Answer 4

Yes go to the vet. The bill for a vet wont be high for a hamster unless there is something wrong with the hamster.

Umm maybe the hamster is in pain.