My hamster has blood near her anus. What's wrong and what should I do?

Poor Kiwi. You can try some Vaseline or aquaphor on the area but I am afraid that she needs to be seen by a vet. It looks like the tissue could be becoming necrotic or becoming infection. This can cause serious illness. I would have her seen so that can try to replace the prolapse, treat the cause, and make sure she doesn't need any antibiotics. Unfortunately, there aren't any certain foods to help with this problem. I hope this helps!

When there is red material from around the rear end, it could be coming from the anus, the reproductive tract, or the urinary tract. Additionally, there could be some kind of trauma in the area as well. Seeing blood intermittently is not uncommon with any of these areas. I would recommend that you have Peanut evaluated by a veterinarian. Since she is eating and drinking normally, you likely don't need to rush in tonight, unless you have an emergency veterinarian who is comfortable with evaluating hamsters. If not, it may be better to wait until your regular veterinarian is available. However, if you see a change in Peanut's attitude or appetite, or if her feet start to look more pale in color than pink, I would recommend taking her in immediately. The pale color would be indicative of her losing a great deal of blood. When at the vet, they will clean the area and try to determine where the red material is coming from. There is a pigment that rodents produce, called porphyrins, that can look similar to blood. Your veterinarian can help to distinguish between the two. I hope that Peanut feels better soon!

Hello there! I'm sorry to hear that Lily is not doing well. Bleeding from the rectal area can be caused by several issues. If you're sure the blood is coming from her rectum and not from her urethra or vagina, she may have an intestinal problem, like constipation or a parasite. It's also possible that she has a common hamster condition called wet tail, if she also has loose stools. Wet tail is severe diarrhea that is sometimes accompanied by bloody stools in certain severe cases, and is caused by a bacterial infection. It can be deadly, so acquiring treatment by a veterinarian is important to ensure survival. If the blood could be coming from the vaginal or urethral area, she could have a uterine or urinary tract infection that is causing the bleeding. These openings are very close to each other in female hamsters, so it can be easy to mistake one for the other. All of these conditions require the assistance of a veterinarian to get Lily better. If the bleeding is prolific of if Lily is also lethargic, she may need to be seen right away. There is an exotic veterinarian near you that can help: Animal and Exotic Medical Center 18962 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Lutz, FL 33548 (813) 269-5200 In the meantime, keep Lily warm and calm. There is not likely much that you can do for her at home safely aside from keeping her rectal area clean. Good luck, and I hope Lily gets well soon!

I can see that your hamster is hunched and her fur is raised. Her labored breathing is cause for concern. It can be caused by infections or masses, and requires veterinary attention right away. The blood you identified can be caused by bloody stool, or even a rectal prolapse, both of which are serious medical conditions. She should be seen by a vet as soon as possible, as she may require supportive care to be stabilized. I hope all is well!

Thanks for reaching out about Buddy and including photos. He appears very ill, and a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Intestinal infections and parasites can cause rectal/colonic bleeding, leading to illness. A fecal examination under the microscope can determine the type of parasite and the specific treatment. Offering fluids via a syringe can helps decrease the risk of dehydration. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Evangeline. This is an emergency and needs to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Not only does the prolapse need to be treated but the cause determined. Intestinal infections, parasites, obstructions, urinary problems and more are possible. Try to keep the tissue clean and moist until the veterinary visit. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Teddy and including pictures. It would be concerning that this would be an peri-anal abscess or obstruction. A veterinary visit is recommended, for tomorrow. The urine might smell worse because of a urinary tract infection or concentrated due to lack of drinking. Good luck with the veterinary visit.