Anybody know what could be wrong with my hamster?

Lauraagx · 01-31-2016, 01:27 PM

This sounds really stupid because I thought I knew quite a bit about hamsters. The urine opening of the male dwarf hamster, is it also a scent gland or is the scent gland further up..around the umbilical area?. Today what I thought was his pee hole but google says is just a scent gland was all scabbed over and his stomach was really bloated as if he was unable to pee due to a blockage. I tried to remove it with warm water and cotton wool and it eventually fell off, his stomach is still bloated and iv'e put him back in his cage to keep an eye on him. As i was removing it he was kicking and trying to bite, I don't know weather this was because he was in pain or just because he hates been on his back. I'd be willing to take him to the vets if his condition doesn't seem to improve but i thought i'd ask if anyone had any idea what could be wrong with him first as my local vet mainly specializes in larger animals and pretty much laughed at me the last time i took a hamster to the vet. Iv'e attached an image of what it looked like before the scab/dirt fell off

xbuttons94 · 01-31-2016, 03:03 PM

I'm not sure what it could be but I think it should be checked out by the vet. If you are not happy with the care from you current vet then maybe try and switch to another one? My vets mostly takes in larger animals but they are willing to help all animals. It might sound strange to them but there will be a vet that will happily take a look at him x

Pebbles82 · 01-31-2016, 04:48 PM

I think if his stomach was swollen you should take him to the vets x He may have an infection or blockage.

cypher · 01-31-2016, 11:10 PM

That looks like a blocked scent gland, they can get blocked & infected, you did the right thing bathing it but if his abdomen is swollen he does need to see a vet.
The scent gland & urinary opening are separate so if he's not been peeing there's probably something else going on, either way I think you need to get a vet to have a look, if you're not confident going to the vet you've seen before is there another you could try?

racinghamster · 02-01-2016, 02:29 AM

You done the right thing by clearing away the gunk from the scent gland. Use a cotton bud next time to wipe the area using saline or even a medicated solution your vet should be able to give you. It could be infected but if you keep cleaning it, it might settle, but I initially thought it looked like a burst cyst or a raw area. Either way, the vet would probably prescribe Baytril and perhaps a solution for cleaning it.

You mentioned him peeing, can he pee okay? The bloating could be something internal like the liver, but again, a decent vet would need to palpitate his tummy to give you a better idea. He may just have a fat tummy, but keep an eye on his urination. x

Lauraagx · 02-01-2016, 08:49 AM

Thank you everyone. I've been keeping an eye on him and the scent gland is no longer blocked and he doesn't seem to be in any pain, he's eating fine and is happy coming out of his cage. I'm going to monitor him over the next few days because he could actually just be fat. I read things on the Internet and get really worried but I don't want to embarrass myself and stress him out for the vet just to say he's fat

racinghamster · 02-01-2016, 09:21 AM

Yes, I wouldn`t change his diet either because some hamsters are just metabolically bigger, unless he`s been pigging out on too many peanuts and sunflower seeds! Hopefully his gland/wound will dry up and keeping a close eye on it is wise anyway. Fingers crossed he will be fine. x