Hamster Discharge

[katiekay]

I have had my female Syrian for about a month now, and if what the pet store said is right, she is around 6-8 months old.

Today I noticed around the vaginal area that it is a bit wet. I'm not sure what this is. I don't believe it to be wet tail as her stool is solid, she is eating and drinking as well as very active and alert.

Yesterday her cage was very stinky which I assumed to be her in heat as I can smell it every few days or so.

Could the discharge be from her in heat? As I said today is the first day I have noticed it so I'm not sure if it was there before and will check again tomorrow to see if it has gone. I have read that discharge from heat is a white-ish color, but this looks more like the area is a bit wet and is harder to tell the color since she has darker fur.

Could it be from being in heat or should I be worried?

[souffle]

Some females do get quite sticky underneath. You can clean her up a bit with a damp cotton ball. If you get to know what is normal for your girl then spotting if anything changes is much easier. I'd watch her closely. Any profuse yellow discharge or blood stained browny discharge that smells foul would obviously need vet treatment due to the possibility of a womb infection. Sometimes with this the hamster will have a swollen tummy, be more lethargic and drink more so all things to watch out for.
It sounds like she is normal just now but see a vet if anything changes

[katiekay]

Originally Posted by souffle

Some females do get quite sticky underneath. You can clean her up a bit with a damp cotton ball. If you get to know what is normal for your girl then spotting if anything changes is much easier. I'd watch her closely. Any profuse yellow discharge or blood stained browny discharge that smells foul would obviously need vet treatment due to the possibility of a womb infection. Sometimes with this the hamster will have a swollen tummy, be more lethargic and drink more so all things to watch out for.
It sounds like she is normal just now but see a vet if anything changes

I just tried to clean her up with a damp cotton ball and maybe I didn't get it damp enough but nothing was coming off, it seems as if maybe whatever it is has dried up a bit. Looking in better lighting, the discharge does seem a little darker but does not seem bloody at all.

I will definitely keep a close eye on her. She's just gotten over the taming process the last week or so to where she is trusting me a lot more now so this is the first time I've even been able to look.

[katiekay]

Originally Posted by katiekay

I just tried to clean her up with a damp cotton ball and maybe I didn't get it damp enough but nothing was coming off, it seems as if maybe whatever it is has dried up a bit. Looking in better lighting, the discharge does seem a little darker but does not seem bloody at all.

I will definitely keep a close eye on her. She's just gotten over the taming process the last week or so to where she is trusting me a lot more now so this is the first time I've even been able to look.

I managed to get this photo of her if it helps at all to see what I'm talking about.

[souffle]

It doesn't look that unusual really. Gently press either side of her vent and see if anything much comes out. Unless there a a lot of pus or anything I would just keep monitoring her daily when you have her out.

[Drago]

I would agreee with souffle, just keep an eye on it and look for odd things or other symptoms. All females are a slight different when in heat. My one female had little no no noticeable smell while another had a smell that I could not stand.

[katiekay]

Okay I will do that tonight when she wakes up. Thank you guys!

[katiekay]

Happy to report that she has just woken up from her beauty sleep and there is no more discharge so I'm assuming that it probably was just her in heat but will still keep a close eye on her just to be sure!

[Drago]

Good news! Hope everything's alright with her