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Old 01-12-2019, 02:08 PM   #1
StephBrom
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Exclamation Hamster penis?

Hi all, apologies for the crude topic!

Checked on my Syrian today and noticed that his penis was visible, it doesn’t appear infected (there’s no puss or discharge but it looks a bit inflamed at the tip?) so I have changed his cage, completely cleaned it, and put a very small amount of saw dust and paper flakes to absorb his urine, and changed his bedding all in the case of a urinary infection, and will do the same tomorrow and see how he is then.

I was just wondering from anyone who has personally experienced this themselves what this has turned out to be medically or whether it has just resolved on its own, my vets aren’t open tomorrow and so I would have to wait until Monday for an appointment
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Old 01-12-2019, 04:58 PM   #2
alpacassei
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Default Re: Hamster penis?

Sometimes that just happens for a few moments but if it doesn’t resolve itself, he’ll need the vets on Monday as it could be a sign of a UTI or prolapsed penis. UTIs are treated with a short course of antibiotics and i don’t know too much about treatment for the latter but I believe you’ll need to use a hamster-safe lubricant to stop his penis drying out.

Is the substrate you’re using actual sawdust or woodshavings? Sawdust can cause respiratory issues and skin irritation in some hamsters but woodshavings are safe depending on type and location. Pine/softwood shavings are safe in the UK and parts of Europe but in other countries they use a different drying process that doesn’t remove toxins. Aspen shavings are safe worldwide though.
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Old 01-12-2019, 05:32 PM   #3
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Default Re: Hamster penis?

Quote:
Originally Posted by alpacassei View Post
Sometimes that just happens for a few moments but if it doesn’t resolve itself, he’ll need the vets on Monday as it could be a sign of a UTI or prolapsed penis. UTIs are treated with a short course of antibiotics and i don’t know too much about treatment for the latter but I believe you’ll need to use a hamster-safe lubricant to stop his penis drying out.

Is the substrate you’re using actual sawdust or woodshavings? Sawdust can cause respiratory issues and skin irritation in some hamsters but woodshavings are safe depending on type and location. Pine/softwood shavings are safe in the UK and parts of Europe but in other countries they use a different drying process that doesn’t remove toxins. Aspen shavings are safe worldwide though.
Hi there, I have used Pets at Home own sawdust, I usually use paper however but since he is in a plastic cage that I wanted to keep as sanitary as possible I’ve used sawdust to properly absorb his urine and will be changing it again tomorrow to keep it clean, what can be used as an animal safe lubricant? Thanks
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Old 01-12-2019, 06:51 PM   #4
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Default Re: Hamster penis?

Paper substrate such as Fitch, Carefresh, or Kaytee Clean & Cosy is all hamster-safe and sanitary. Switching to woodshavings or paper substrate will be much better for his health. It’s also not good to clean their cages daily. You should give him a deep layer of substrate for burrowing and clean out his toilet area weekly but only do a full clean out no more than once a month as it is very stressful for them.

Unless his condition worsens, wait til he’s seen the vet before trying to treat him yourself.
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Old 01-13-2019, 02:30 AM   #5
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Default Re: Hamster penis?

Most people mean wood shavings when they say sawdust - is that right? The best way to have things sanitary is use a litter tray With chinchilla bathing sand in it - Syrian hamsters will use it to pee in if you put it in the right place (ie the place they have chosen which is often a corner of the cage). Then the rest of the cage stays clean, the sand soaks up the pee and you just empty the litter tray and clean it out and replace the sand every few days. This is much better for the hamster as full cleanouts are very stressful for them.

We humans have an instinct to want to have everything spanking clean and clean everything all at the same time but hamsters are really quite clean little things, wash themselves a lot etc. Their pee is the only thing that smells.

As alpa says, it is not good to clean them out every day. You can just spot clean mostly and then only need to change the substrate after 6 to 8 weeks or even longer because you're gradually replacing it a little bit when spot cleaning - especially if they use a litter tray. They scent mark their cages to feel familiar and find their way around so cleaning everything at the same time removes all their familiar scent and stresses them and you will get abnormal and stress behaviours.

Also don't worry about their poops - they eat them sometimes, which is normal - they have two stomachs and can redigest nutrients and vitamins from their poops. They're not dirty or smelly either, they're like little hard seeds and they will hoard them sometimes for emergency supplies! So unless the poops are really taking over the cage in a big way, just leave them.

Ideally you clean things at different times so somehting always smells familiar - eg wheel one week, toys as and when (they often don't need much cleaning very often, and substrate a different time again. Even then it's good not to change allthe substrate,but replace some of the clean old and mix it in so it still smells familiar.

Hamsters are more likely to catch germs from us than the other way round.

So - it takes a bit of curbing the cleaning urge! Imagine if you came home and found someone had redecorated your whole house, stripped the bed and moved everything around. It wouldn't feel like your home and you'd feel invaded.
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Old 01-13-2019, 04:03 AM   #6
StephBrom
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Default Re: Hamster penis?

I have not asked for cleaning advice, I do not usually clean him daily, I am only doing it today to ensure he does not develop infection.

I also have not asked about sawdust or wood shavings, I have asked for advice on his medical issue, if anyone could give me advice on this matter and this matter alone that would be much appreciated
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Old 01-13-2019, 04:17 AM   #7
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Default Re: Hamster penis?

If it stays visible & isn't retracting it is possible he could have a prolapsed penis, I'm not sure there's much you can do about that yourself as it is a condition that needs to be seen by a vet.
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Old 01-13-2019, 05:23 AM   #8
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hamster penis?

Sorry I misunderstood from earlier comment - sawdust could have caused irritation. As Cypher says if it stays visible then he needs to go to the vet.
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Old 01-13-2019, 06:22 AM   #9
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Default Re: Hamster penis?

I’ve come across this a couple of times and it seems to happen more with older boys. Sometimes this can be a sign of an underlying issue but sometimes it can just happen.

As a hamster’s penis is meant to remain retracted the majority of the time, they can become sore if left out for a period of time but it is sometimes possible to ease it back in with the aid of a bit of lubricant. I’ve always used vaseline and it’s done the job ok but if his penis remains out or keeps popping out then it may be best to get him checked out by a vet to make sure that there’s no underlying issue causing it.
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