I have a dwarf hamster. This...

Question
I have a dwarf hamster.  This past Sunday I noticed that he was not as
active as he normally is.  He slept a lot and was almost entirely
non-active.  I called out to him (his name is Frisky) and he just looked
at me and then shut his eyes.  I finally got him out of his cage and
noticed that he had dry blood at his tail area.  It was already caked and
dried.  I did not see any cut.  I don't know if he injured himself running
around the cage, because there are no sharp objects around.  He's about
2-1/2 years old and as of the time writing to you he is still not active.
He just sleeps a lot and barely has eaten and refuses to drink any water.
Please help me.  I don't want to lose him.  

Answer
Hi there.  Unfortunately a hamster's life-span is only 1-3 years, so your little Frisky is a little old man.  What he is experiencing, could be a bout of Wet Tail.  This is a disease that hamsters get, mainly meaning diarrhea.  There will be blood present around the anal area, as this is caused by a gastro-intestinal upset due to the diarrhea.  There are remedies at just about any pet store for this illness, in which you either put in his water or give to him orally.
Is there any way that someone may have stepped on him or squeezed him?  Blood around the anus can also indicate internal bleeding due to trauma or an intestinal obstruction caused by ingestion of sharp objects or tumors.
I would recommend a veterinarian visit for a physical examination if that is something you are willing to do.  Because of his age, the list of possibilities widens more than that of a young hamster.  I wish I could be of more help and please keep me posted as to how he is doing.
Hilary