Advice please? Syrian Hamster swollen abdomen!

[Smoore94]

Hi everyone,

I have a female Syrian hamster, she is 2years and 4 months old. She’s been showing signs of ageing over the past 6 months, and over the last 2 months she’s really slowed down.

Over the last week or so I’ve noticed her abdomen has become quite swollen, she is still drinking, eating, passing stool and urine as normal. She’s still eager to come out and play when she hears my voice. So other than the swollen tummy she’s acting normal.

Do you guys think that this is a sign of an old aged illness? I’ve done a lot of reading around about pyometra, kidney failure and the other common things that could be the cause of her swollen abdomen. But I’m not sure when the right time to take her to the vets should be. I know that a trip to the vets for her, with this symptom, at her age may result in her being put to sleep. So I’m not sure whether to leave her for now, whilst she seems to not be in pain, and just keep an eye on her, and take her in if she starts to get any other symptoms.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thank you.