My hamster's belly is swollen, not pooping, and lethargic. What to do?

It sounds like either a bloat or an internal tumor, in both cases it's very bad news for her as 'hamsters usually do not recover from these conditions. you need to take her to the vet in order to have it checked ASAP.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! So sorry to hear about poor Shaun. A swollen abdomen could be many things including fluid accumulation (ascites), organ enlargement, or some type of growth/tumor inside the abdomen. Liver/kidney problems could be causing this also. If he is weak, not eating, drinking, not happy, and you assess his quality of life as poor compared to what it used to be, it may be time to make a very tough decision. I have found over the years that this is the toughest thing that all of us face in life and none of us want to make an irreversible decision with our loved ones and pets. But sometimes it is more humane to assist them in passing. I leave it up to my clients to decide, it's an individual journey for all of us and I never pressure anyone unless death is imminent and I know the pet is suffering. I would maybe call your local vet or animal shelter and see what they can do to help you along and make this journey the best for you and Shaun. Again I'm so sorry and I truly understand the pain you are feeling as I have witnessed it from both side of these situations many times in my career. I wish you the best and know that all of us care in this profession each time our clients are faced with these decisions. God bless.

Thanks for reaching out about Lucy and including photos. If she is lethargic and bloated she probably still needs to see a veterinarian to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Gas distention, abdominal fluid due liver or kidney problems need to be considered. Hopefully is not something serious and expensive. Continue to monitor food intake and defecation. Good luck.

Swollen abdomen in a hamster is a sign for concern it could be variety of causes, in older hamster such as Belle the more common causes include: tumor in abdomen, blockage of the intestines, kidney failure, and congestive heart failure. I suggest to take Belle to a vet for examination to try and give you the underlying cause and also due to the possibility of her quality of life issue (eating , drinking, in pain etc). The vet may consider to put a small needle into the abdomen and see if they can drain any fluid off. Whether there is fluid from a tumor or from heart failure.

Thanks for reaching out about Auggie. With intermittent blood in the urine and a swollen abdomen, uterine enlargement, (probably cancer) is likely. Hamsters are induced ovulators and are constantly in heat, therefore estrogen. High sustained levels of estrogen can lead to uterine neoplasia. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Most likely, she needs to be spayed. If not going forward with that, palliative medications for pain are recommended. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Margo and including pictures. The distention of the abdominal cavity is not a normal process. Abdominal size increases can be caused by fluid build up called ascites (liver, renal, heart diseases) or an organ enlargement. Kidney enlargement due to polycystic renal disease or cancer is not unusual in hamsters. A veterinary visit is recommended for diagnosis and treatment, quality of life can be improved. Good luck.

The wet bottom could be due to diarrhoea. These signs could be compatible with an inflammation infection of the gastrointestinal system and surrounding organs (like pancreas and liver), which is a very concerning sign in hamsters. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics are likely to be needed. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do back home, as medications are required as soon as possible. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.