Two days ago her leg was caught in the cage and fractured with bone exposed. No exotic vet nearby, so I disinfected and gave antibiotics; yesterday better, but today it’s swollen and smelly. Can it heal on its own or must I amputate at a hospital?

A hamster’s open fracture needs internal fixation and, if necessary, amputation to avoid systemic infection. Exposed bone easily causes infection and is hard to treat well at home, so take the hamster to an exotic-animal hospital promptly. If medical care is limited and home treatment is needed, clean the stump, use scissors to trim the broken limb and flesh neatly, then sprinkle ground antibiotic and styptic powder on the stump and bandage it.

After that, change the dressing daily and keep the environment clean.