Hamsters Penis Wont Retract

Question
QUESTION: I noticed this afternoon that my hamster's penis was out of it's sheath... It doesn't seem to want to retract and I did the best I could to check it for a hair ring around the area....I don't see one and don't want to accidentally hurt him.....what do I do, or can you offer me some better tips or advice?

ANSWER: You might want to get a q tip with some water on it and push the sheath around a bit or try a little drop of Vaseline on the end, just a thin coating, then rub it around the penis and try pushing the sheath down after with the other end of the q tip. You may have to scruff him to do this.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Your advice was very helpful, however, instead of vaseline I used a little ky jelly that another site had suggested....I guess it worked, because it eventually went back in. However, a few days later....he was peeking agian...Is this normal, I've had many regular and dwarf hamsters before and have never had this happen. Should I be concerned if his penis keeps coming out for these extended periods of time....or only if it doesn't go back in after  ???? amount of time?

Answer
Gosh Gina, I really don't know why this is happening except that if you have another hamster he could be reacting to their smell,even if it's a male, or that because he is young, he could be prone to masturbation (yes they do it) and if that is the case then this is normal.
I would be worried if it was out for more than 24 hours due to it drying out unless you see him licking it.
After 48 hrs I would make it go back in the way you did before or call a vet and ask what they might suggest.