My hamster has white discharge and a dark vulva. Is it an infection?

Hi, This could either be coming from her digestive system (i.e. diarrhea ) or from reproductive system (uterus and vagina). This needs to be diagnosed correctly. One option is that she has a pyometra (infection of the uterus). In this case she would need surgery same as done with larger animals. In any case, you need to take her to the vet ASAP. Regards

Thanks for your question about Princess, and thank you for the photo - it is very helpful. When female hamsters go through their reproductive cycle, they often will have a small about of discharge afterwards. This is a normal finding. However, with that said, the material is usually mucoid and yellow, and a bit thick. It should not be white, green, or have an odor to it. It also should not continue for multiple days. From the photo, it looked like the material was a bit white in color, which is concerning to me. Hamsters can get infections in their reproductive tract, and that would be my worry for Princess. I would recommend having her evaluated by a veterinarian. Please do not clean the material off of her before taking her to the vet, as they will want to take a sample of the material to look at it under the microscope. This can allow them to tell if it is normal or an infection. I hope that gives you a place to start, and that Princess feels better soon.

Hello, and thank you for the update. I'm glad you were able to get Shine to a vet. Uterine infections can happen in any female that is unspayed (not fixed). I would keep her separate from the other hamsters for now, to allow her to rest and prevent spread of infection. Change any soiled bedding regularly to keep her area clean. Ensure she continues to eat a well-balanced pelleted hamster diet. If she is not eating well on her own, you can try to feed her with a syringe using Critical Care (a powdered diet that you mix with water - your vet may have it). If you are not seeing any improvement after 2 days of antibiotics, I would get her a recheck visit with the vet, and ask them about a culture and sensitivity test of the uterine discharge. This will help to pinpoint the type of infection that she is dealing with, and prescribe the right antibiotic. I hope this helps, and that Shine improves!

Discontinue feeding any fruits or vegetables. Feed only a pellet or block type hamster chow. Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls, toys and hides. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Spot clean the cage daily. Keep Hamster warm and as stress free as possible. If she becomes lethargic or stops eating, have her rechecked by your veterinarian immediately. Consider a probiotic to promote a healthy gut.

This does sound like unusual behavior. The good news is that Sandy is acting normal today. If she is continuing to act normal, exercise and eat and drink, I would just monitor her for the next couple of days. If her behavior changes again, she stops eating, or you notice the discharge again, then I would recommend you take her to the vet to be checked out. Also, if you can determine where the discharge is coming from (or if you can bring in a sample) it would be helpful for your veterinarian. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! What you are seeing is likely mucous. It could be a urinary tract infection of puppy vaginitis. They tend to grow out of puppy vaginitis. Sometimes they need antibiotics if they are urinating small amounts frequently. I would set up an appointment with your Vet for an exam. I would try to collect a urine sample for the appointment. First wipe the vulva with a baby wipe or a slightly soapy towel (rinse) before collecting. I hope this helps!

No, hamsters do not get periods. If your hamster has a bloody discharge from her vulva, she may have a UTI or a uterine infection. She should then be seen by a veterinarian that is experienced in treating hamsters.