Syrian bleeding

[Hampo]

A couple of weeks ago we noticed the bedding in winnies cage, one of our syrian hamsters, had spots of blood on where she sleeps. We lifted winnie up and saw blood coming from around her rectal area.

We took her to the vets where she was prescribed anti biotics which drop into her water, changing the water twice a day. however the vet said they weren't entirely sure what was causing it, putting it down to some form of infection.

Shes been on these antibiotics for nearly 2 weeks now and the bleeding is still there.

Apart from the blood she has no real symptoms except for her droppings are firmer than usual and quite black. There also isn't much dropping in the cage. She is still eating, drinking, playing and is as active as ever.

We have also noticed her either licking or biting the bleeding area and although we try to distract her when we see her doing this theres nothing we can really do to stop her.

Any advice on why she might be bleeding like this will be appreciated.

[haziebabie]

Sounds like she is constipated...to my inexperienced eye. Knowing more about children than hamsters Certainly constipation in humans at least can cause tears that bleed. I would have thought a vet should pick up on something like that though.

Do you give you hamster any fresh fruit and veg? Also if there is an infection it is probably better to give them orally than in water as they never get the full dose unless they finish every drop and they always drink different amounts every day.

Anyway, just my thoughts, someone with more HAMSTER experience will advise you soon no doubt.

[souffle]

Is the bleeding from the anus or the vaginal openings? Bleeding in a hamster is not normal and needs investigation. What age is she?
It could be due to a number of things but the most common cause in females is a pyometra or womb infection which causes a bloody discharge and often a swollen tummy. This is not curable except by spaying. There could be a tumour or some other malfunction in the lower bowel and you need to watch out for any bowel prolapse.
I agree with Haziebaby about the meds. They seldom get a proper dose in water. The nomal dose is 0.1ml baytril once or sometimes twice a day. It is best given by syringe into the side of the mouth then you are sure it has been taken.
Normal hamster poo is black and quite dry so that does not sound like anything is wrong there.
I hope she is better soon. I would change the meds admistration and try and see exactly where the source of the blood is. Can you feel any lumps or bumps? Any change in her behavior? Drinking eating etc?

[Bunsey]

my first reaction to this was also "are you sure it's the anus and not the vagina?" It sounds just like when my girl had pyometra. Unfortunately, in her case she had to be PTS but i know others who have been saved. Antibiotics won't do anything though, in the case of pyo. The only options would be a spay or PTS. If it is that, then it needs dealing with quickly, because what happens next is not nice at all.

If the vets don't seem to know a lot about hams, i'd say ring round a few others and ask if they have a vet who is good with small animals.

[Hampo]

We returned winnie to the vets this afternoon.

The vet believed her to have a tumor in her bladder as she felt a growth which was not supressed by the antibiotics.

She explained that we could have a test done to confirm this but even then there would be no treatment available.

We had to make the reluctant decision to put winnie to rest. She died at 4.30pm.

Thankyou for your help.

[souffle]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
You did your very best for little Winnie and gave her the last great gift which is peaceful rest from her pain.
I hope you memories will be of comfort.
Play well at the bridge little winnie