bleeding?

Question
Hello, my name is nicole and my very close friend helena has a hamster. She got it a just before her high school graduation in june. it is a russian dwarf. the hamster is bleeding out of her behind, and my friend is very worried. She and i are bringing her to the vet on Wednesday, i am hoping to give her encouraging words and tell her it will be alright but i dont know anything about hamsters so i dont know. I want to be prepared for helena, because she is very attached to her hamster and it will hurt her greatly if she has to put her down.

Answer
Hi Nicole

I'm sorry to hear that Helena's hamster is bleeding.  Blood is always something that should be investigated.  

From what you have said, this hamster sounds as though it is very young.  Blood from the rear end can indicate a tumor (although these tend to come more when the hamster gets old).  Has Helena noticed any change in the hamster's bowel movements?  Sometimes if a hamster is constipated or has diarrhoea, they can strain to go to the toilet and this can cause a bleed.  In extreme circumstances it can cause a prolapse - in this case you see blood coming from the rear end and often see intestines showing too.  This is very serious but can sometimes be corrected by a vet.

I have also had female hamsters who appear to have bled from their rear end - although this has only been a 'one - off' occurence with no logical explanation and it never occurs again.  You haven't said how much blood is coming out - if this is just a drop now and again or the appearance of bleeding or if there is blood all the time.

I am glad that you are getting her checked by a vet.  She has her age in her favour and if there is something wrong then it is vital it is dealt with quickly in order to give her a chance.  

Apart from this bleeding how is she behaving?  Is she active and running around or does she appear dull?  If she is active and not particularly bothered by it, hopefully it is nothing serious and something that the vet can treat either with surgery or medication.

I am sorry I can't give you a definite answer as to what is wrong as it is very difficult to know without actually seeing her.  I do hope that Helena has some good news tomorrow when she sees the vet and that everything works out OK.

Regards
Sheila