Testicle stretching the skin

muddy_dragon · 07-19-2014, 03:20 PM

I wondered if you might have encountered anything like this before?:

A few days ago one of Storm’s testicles was out of place much higher up than usual - above his anus, it had stretched the skin which was tight and red over it. It popped back into place when I gently touched it. It did not seem to be bothering him atall figured it might be a one off and left it but kept an eye on it and his activity. Since then he’s had loose stretched skin there. Just now it happened again twice, it doesn’t seem to be bothering him he’s eating, pooing weeing etc and generally being his typical little terror self, touching it to pop it back into place doesn’t bother him either. But when it occurs the skin is very stretched and red looking and i'm worried about how taught it is, I just wondered if you’ve encountered anything like this before? I'm thinking of giving the vets a call on Monday (when they’re next open) to see what they say but I figured since that's a day away i might aswell see if you guys knew anything?

SprinkleHamster · 07-19-2014, 03:38 PM

We had to ice our Chewie's Balls down once. Poor little guys got super red and swollen. Though they didn't go out of place. He didn't for obvious reasons enjoy having an ice pack under him at first. We did have it wrapped in a towel. Eventually though he kind just settled into my hand and backed up with them resting on the pack and he seemed to be like ooh ok I think this feels good. If he isnt having any movement issues and it doesn't get worse. I think he sounds like it will resolve itself, but i am not a vet. If it doesn't return to a less stressed out appearance a vet visit might be in order.

muddy_dragon · 07-19-2014, 03:44 PM

when it's been hot lately he's had an icepack under one part of his cage as i was worried about that possibility, however it's not like that atall. they weren't down and swollen thats the thing, if they were both doing it i'ld be less bothered or if they were going down. just one of them rises up above his anus (the same one each time), stretched the skin there like a little red ball it returns to normal as soon as i touch it it just pops back. the otherone is exactly as normal.

If it happens again i'll try and get a photo

muddy_dragon · 07-19-2014, 03:45 PM

p.s. i feel very sorry for your poor little guy there i'm not suprised he appreiated the icepack

muddy_dragon · 07-22-2014, 04:03 AM

Just to let you know, i spoke to the nurse (who also has a hamster) at the vets and she said it's very unusual and that the plan of action is to get a photo next time it happens so i can show it to the vet and they can do a check over to see what might be happening. Since there appears to be no rush as he is OK in himself

souffle · 07-22-2014, 06:48 AM

There can be a hernia in the muscles of the abdominal wall that can allow the testicle to move back in to the abdomen too far. It can be a problem if the testicles twists and forms a torsion when it is moving through and this would be an emergency so best get it checked if it keeps happening.

ham888 · 07-22-2014, 08:03 AM

Crikey the thought of that brought tears to my eyes let alone a hamsters!

muddy_dragon · 07-23-2014, 02:58 AM

Just to let you guys know, i spoke to the vets on monday i spoke to a nurse nicknamed "The hamster queen" by the receptionist. We agreed to wait until it happens again (last night) then take photos and send them to her then i can make an appointment and the vet can look over storm and see the photos so she knows what is happening. I'm waiting on that reply now. I'll attach some photos shortly

muddy_dragon · 07-23-2014, 03:01 AM

These are the photos. The first two are when it happens (appologies for poor quality) the second two are immediately after (it popped back into place when i put him down to adjust the camera settings) - you can see the stretched skin on the last two.

It's a good thing stormy doesn't know i'm posting photos of his testicles about the place!

Anyway ill let you know when i hear from the vets

muddy_dragon · 07-23-2014, 03:12 AM

Just heard back from the nurse and the vet. Apparently i shouldn't worry about it it's fairly normal although and associated with them getting a bit excited, just being one is a bit odd though. I've been told as long as it goes back and isn't painful for him and he doesn't mind me handling it then it's OK. and that the wrinkly skin is normal her boys have that it's not a result of being stretched

She mentioned that there's a very rare risk of torsion but i'll know if that happens as it will be painful and he won't let me touch it if that happens then to phone the vets right away. (they have a 24 hours service they're teamed up with which is good - it's further away though but not too much of a problem
)