Russian dwarf hamster staining

[crazy hammy lady]

Hi, so I took in a 6 month old female about 3 weeks ago, she's fab I put her on a diet as she was over weight. I got her from Little daves breeder my male dwarf. Anyhow she woke for a drink before and I popped her out for a little bit and noticed when putting her back she was a little wet and yellow. There's no smell to it no discharge on me or when I wiped her area with a towel could this just be a wee? Or been in heat? I've not seen her in heat yet and I have her out most days no back arching etc. I think I'm concerning myself for no reason as I'm used to males and my one female syrian never went into heat (had a mammary tumour) so I'm just looking for advice really. She's bright eyes good fur eating drinking playing etc

thanks in advance

 

[Maz]

Hello and welcome Dwarf hamsters can get a bit yellow stained underneath as they have a scent gland in the middle underneath. If she’s eating and drinking ok and acting normally I wouldn’t worry too much but just keep an eye on her. If she’s just moved to a new environment she will be scent marking everything and may be producing more than usual.

I think it’s difficult to tell if a dwarf hamster is overweight or not as they generally do look a bit round and can vary in size. Some are much larger than others and will weigh more.

I think just give a good hamster mix with the correct protein levels and sugar free and just avoid giving lots of treats like sunflower seeds for now. Just the occasional couple maybe. She shouldn’t get overweight on a normal hamster mix.

It’s hard to tell from that photo but she looks normal size to me!

A sugar free diet is important though as Russian dwarfs are prone to diabetes and it could help prevent any onset.

 

[Maz]

They tend to hoard most of the food given and eat from their hoards when they feel like it so it’s quite important not to remove her hoard as well.

 

[crazy hammy lady]

Hello and welcome Dwarf hamsters can get a bit yellow stained underneath as they have a scent gland in the middle underneath. If she’s eating and drinking ok and acting normally I wouldn’t worry too much but just keep an eye on her. If she’s just moved to a new environment she will be scent marking everything and may be producing more than usual.

I think it’s difficult to tell if a dwarf hamster is overweight or not as they generally do look a bit round and can vary in size. Some are much larger than others and will weigh more.

I think just give a good hamster mix with the correct protein levels and sugar free and just avoid giving lots of treats like sunflower seeds for now. Just the occasional couple maybe. She shouldn’t get overweight on a normal hamster mix.

It’s hard to tell from that photo but she looks normal size to me!

A sugar free diet is important though as Russian dwarfs are prone to diabetes and it could help prevent any onset.

Thank you for the reply. I've never seen it before but usually she's been up a little when I've got her out so ill keep an eye on her. She was huge! She struggled to run etc was very lazy so I cut the sugar and upped protein etc She was drinking tons also but now she runs for miles more active drinks much less but a normal amount when I first got her She was drinking a whole bottle a day. She just seems so much happier now always playing when up etc and she makes the cutest noises when she sleeps sometimes. Non of my hamsters have ever made little noises.

 

[Maz]

Aw glad she seems happier Some of them can be quite vocal! I’ve never had a vocal one. But I know some dwarfs can chatter a bit.

 

[Maz]

Has her water drinking lessened? A bottle a day sounds a lot. It might be an idea to test her urine to check she’s not diabetic. You can just get ketodiastix from a pharmacy or online - the same ones humans use.

 

[crazy hammy lady]

Has her water drinking lessened? A bottle a day sounds a lot. It might be an idea to test her urine to check she’s not diabetic. You can just get ketodiastix from a pharmacy or online - the same ones humans use.

Yes it's lessened tons! She's drinking the same as my other dwarfes now I will dip her urine tho and check it ill order some tests. If she is still wet tonight/tomorrow ill book her in anyway to the vets.

 

[Maz]

It’s always worrying with a new hamster.

 

[elusive]

The photo looks normal to me too, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about there really.
Her drinking was extreme, good to hear that’s improved & she’s drinking more normally now but I think checking her urine & getting her checked out will be worthwhile just in case she does have diabetes or any other underlying condition.

Those noises they make when they’re asleep are so cute!

 

[crazy hammy lady]

It’s always worrying with a new hamster.

Oh it most certainly is. I'm a worrier anyway! Which doesn't help so I'm super alert all the time and probably looking into things more than I should and questioning everything ha ha

 

[Maz]

I think we can all by like that over hamsters. What are their names? ;-). Sorry to hear about your Syrian girl.

 

[crazy hammy lady]

I think we can all by like that over hamsters. What are their names? ;-). Sorry to hear about your Syrian girl.

We have little dave and miss jingles and then a ghost hammy roborovski is called georgie. X

 

[RainbowBrite]

Hello and welcome to the forum. It would be lovely to hear about all your hamsters.

 

[Maz]

We have little dave and miss jingles and then a ghost hammy roborovski is called georgie. X

Lovely names Robos do hide away a bit sometimes. I have one. He will disappear for about two weeks and then suddenly start acting like he wants attention and wanting to come out. By the time I’ve got something for him to walk into, he’s gone again!

 

[Maz]

Let us know how you get on at the vets.