We investigate the behavior of the short-time self-orientational diffusion coefficient for a dipolar and quadrupolar colloid near the isotropic-nematic-like transition. The suspension considered is low structured and driven by an external field. Dynamics is assumed to obey the Smoluchoski equation. The hydrodynamic interactions are not negligible and they induce an anomalous diffusion in the quadrupolar colloid. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.