My Hamster Poos Green!

[beastie]

Hello, last night I noticed that my 1 & 1/2 Syrian hamster's (looks like a Syrian, but much too small) poo is green, it is also softer than usual. There has not been a diet change, no new stress, and he is acting completely normal. Can anyone help me? Should I be concerned?

[Hamsterita]

It doesn't sound as something normal.

Poops should be hard, not soft, and some foods can slightly change the poop's colour but if they are completely green it's very strange...

I'm not an expert, so I hope with more knowledge than me can help you.

Anyway, I would cut the fresh food and I would take an eye on him and if the problem persist (mainly the soft poop) I would see a vet. Your post is from 3 days ago, so at this point if the problem persist I would definitely go with him to the vets to give him a health check

[Thin Lizzy]

I would make an appointment with the vet.

[beastie]

Originally Posted by Hamsterita

It doesn't sound as something normal.

Poops should be hard, not soft, and some foods can slightly change the poop's colour but if they are completely green it's very strange...

I'm not an expert, so I hope with more knowledge than me can help you.

Anyway, I would cut the fresh food and I would take an eye on him and if the problem persist (mainly the soft poop) I would see a vet. Your post is from 3 days ago, so at this point if the problem persist I would definitely go with him to the vets to give him a health check

I did keep an eye on him, about 24 hours later his poo was back to normal. I'm not sure what it is. I will probably go see a vet soon anyway regarding another concern of mine. Thanks for the reply! Have a great day.

[beastie]

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

I would make an appointment with the vet.

It stopped 24hours later, and I will most likely see a vet about a couple of spots on him that seem to be growing, so I'll ask then. Thanks for the reply! Have a great day!

[Hamsterita]

I'm glad he's better

let us know what the vet says

[hmr1221]

Definitely take him to the vet, but here are some considerations:

I'm a registered medical lab scientist (the people who analyze blood and urine and such for medical purposes). I've only ever worked in human labs, but my license is valid in veterinary labs as well. I checked to see if any of my textbooks had anything about hamsters and green poop, and they didn't. So, I'm operating that they're like all other mammals in that regard.

Green stool is generally for one of three reasons:

1) just the color of your food. If you (or any mammal) eats food with a lot of chlorophyll (such as a LOT of green leafy vegetables) or with a lot of artificial green dye, the stercobilin (the bile-degradation by-product that makes poop brown) isn't enough to balance out the green.

2) Some gastrointestinal bacteria have green byproducts, so if you have an over-abundance of those, you get green stool.

3) Bile. Either because of gall bladder problems leading to over-production of bile, or a diarrhea-like process that makes the stool move faster than the break-down of the bile.

Since it went away in 24 hours, I wouldn't stress over it too much. 3 wouldn't go away in 24 hours, if it's gone 2 is resolved, and 1 is nothing to worry about ever. I'd still check with a vet, but maybe this will give at least some peace of mind.