Syrian hamster acting different

[Jolene75]

Hey guys, I have had my female Syrian hamster for 2 months. We have made great progress in such short time; when I put my hand in her cage she comes and we play and she lets me stroke her while she is eating and such.

However, almost a week ago she started acting a bit different, put I didn't put much thought into it. Then a few days ago, I made a second cage for her and connected the two cages with a tube. Even though it has been days, she still moves very slowly, always seems on alert (even my slowest move or voice in the cage scares her), and smells everything before doing anything. She also sleeps more than usual.
Also, whenever I gave her food at nights, she would go crazy with the sound of food in her bowl and run towards it. But now, even though I still make the same sound, she doesn't care and sometimes smells it and goes away. I tried to hand feed her the other day and she took the food then put it on the floor, which she did a few times.
Another thing is, whenever I turned the lights off at night when I was going to bed, I could hear her going crazy on her wheel. But now, I just see her standing there or just moving slowly.

I don't know if there is anything wrong with her, it might be the new surroundings but this behaviour started even before I made her new cage setup. And it has been days now, shouldn't she get used to it by now?
I don't think there is anything wrong with her physically, although there is one thing I realised which I am not sure if all hamsters have. I realised that her anus was black, and first I thought it was a stain but it seems hard not like a stain, but like something sticking out. Is that normal or should I see a vet?

Sorry for the long post, and I would really appreciate your thoughts on this!

[CPalmer]

I would say definately a vet visit if her anus looks unusual. If she is 'backed up' then she would not be herself. Have you noticed any new poop? If she's not passing anything at all it will be better to get ot the vet sooner rather than later.

I haven't experienced this myself so I only have advise nothing firm. Maybe some cucumber or watery food to try to ease her if she's constipated, but if she has something stuck who knows what is occuring behind it.

[Jolene75]

That's what I thought at first, but I would say she poops as usual, and it looks normal. So I don't think she has trouble with that. Do all female Syrians have that kind of black anus? Because I haven't seen any other females, I can't be sure. If other females don't have it, I will make sure to see a vet as soon as possible.

[CPalmer]

I have a syrian and her's isn't black, tbh i haven't closely looked, but i'm sure i'd have noticed on her check overs. does yours have a dark pattern on her rear? It could be darker skin, but if you also say it's hard and sticking out it really doesn't sound normal.

Hamsters mask their illnesses so they aren't picked out as a weak one in the wild. Her being different could be a sign of pain.

[Jolene75]

Oh okay, that means its just my girl. No, she is light grey and yes it is sticking out. Thank you for your help, I will make sure we see a vet! Hopefully all will be fine!

[Shana]

My syrian also has a black anus. Some of them have darker pigmentation in that area, and it's totally normal. However, it shouldn't be hard - the texture of the skin should be similar to non-pigmented areas. By sticking out do you mean that the area protrudes slightly, or that there's something sticking out of it? A photo could be helpful.

Seeing a vet is a good idea if you're at all concerned. Even if nothing's wrong you'll at least have confirmation of that.

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi Jolene, a vet appointment will put your mind at ease, your hammie might need a course of antibiotics or a medicated cream. It's best to get her seen to, as hammies can be perfectly fine one minute and ill the next.