Hamster Testicles discolouration

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sheila,

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this question.
I have a syrian hamster for already 2 years. Lately I
noticed his scrotum became pigmented with uniform purple
pigmentation. They kind of look like bruises. His behaviour
is normal and the testicles still look hand feel as usual.
Any ideas or advise in regards this?

Thanks again for all your help.

Regards,
Carlos

ANSWER: Hi Carlos

I don't know if this is anything to worry about.  Sometimes their skin can become pigmented and I have had some whose testicles have changed colour.

Hamsters can get testicular cancer but this isn't that common and I would expect that you would see a swelling if it were this.

The fact is that if this were testicular cancer the likelihood of a vet carrying out surgery at his age is remote as there would be a high probability he may not survive anaesthesia.  

The fact that he doesn't seem bothered by it all is a really good sign and there may be absolutely nothing to worry about.  I would be tempted just to monitor the situation - perhaps take a photo so you can compare this with any changes if necessary.  Look out for swellings, pus, blood etc. or any changes in his mood - in which case it would be advisable to get a vet to examine him.

Over the coming months he will change and show signs of old age - his fur will start to thin, his skin might go a bit dry/flakey (in which case a treatment of Ivermectin would probably sort this out - Beaphar make a small pet anti parasite medication that you can get from pet shops and you apply it to the back of the hamster's neck - check the instructions thoroughly before applying), he will become less active and want to sleep more - these are normal signs of old age.  If however he starts to look dull, sits hunched up, doesn't want to eat, starts drinking excessively or there is sign of diarrhoea/constipation, any obvious lumps appear, any sign of blood or pus from his rear end then he needs to see a vet.

I hope this helps you.

Regards
Sheila


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

QUESTION: Hi Sheila,

Thank you so much for your quick and very detailed response.

From your response there was something that caught my
attention and has been on my head for the past weeks since I
noticed it. It seems he is drinking more water, but am not
very sure as before he had 2 bottles and now only 1.
Currently he drinks a whole bottle in around a week, this is
his bottle;

The bottle is fairly small, I could not find the actual size
in ml. In your personal experience is that too much for a
quite big Syrian?
http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/rotastak-water-bottle-with-
bung-and-clip_1_20785.html

He has been to the vet about 3 times in the past 2 months as
he had a kidney cyst. Only until recently (2 weeks ago) that
it naturally busted. We took him to the vet the next day we
did not feel the cyst and he says everything looked fine.
Yet am still a bit worried as during that period was when
the darker pigmentation started, do you still feel that is
only natural pigmentation or may it be related to his
previous diagnose?

Sorry if am putting in a difficult position, I just want to
know if to relax and wait for the weekend for a vet check-up
or to ask for a day off work and take him tomorrow.

Thank you ever so much for all your advice.

Sincerely,
Carlos


Answer
Hi Carlos

I would hate to tell you to wait and find that was the wrong thing to say, but from what you have said I don't see that waiting until the weekend will do any harm - but the final decision is obviously up to you as I haven't seen him and an only base this on what you have said.

Hamsters generally drink very little unless there is a medical condition: diabetes, kidney problems or tumors. The excessive water drinking could still be related to his kidney, but as your vet examined him and felt he was OK there may be nothing wrong as such.  Tumors are very common in hamsters of this age and often they are undetected until they are quite large.  As mentioned earlier, if this is testicular cancer then there is nothing your vet will do and as your hamster is fine and his quality of life is good it would be a case of just letting him carry on until there are symptoms that affect him.

The standard size bottle mine have is: http://www.thepet-shoponline.co.uk/classic-hamster-drinking-bottle-823-p.asp - if they were to drink the whole of this bottle, or even half of it in a week I would think there is a problem.  However, the bottle you have looks considerably smaller than this anyway.  Also, make absolutely sure the water bottle isn't leaking - this is a common mistake to make when you think there is a problem but in actual fact the bottle drips - it doesn't take long for it to empty.  Check the bedding to see if it is wet with water or wet with urine.  Have you actually seen/heard him drinking or are you basing this on the level of water?  If there is a problem often (but not always) you notice them getting out of their nest during the day time for a drink.

If he has an abdominal tumor (your vet will be able to check for this) then these can be slow or fast growing.  With the fast growing ones the hamster can appear to lose weight from their top half but become almost 'pear shaped' as their bottom half gets considerably bigger.  These tumors can grow over night pretty much, but often the hamster behaves normally (apart from an increase in water consumption whilst it is growing) until the tumor is very large that the hamster doesn't have much energy, finds it difficult walking or the tumor is putting pressure on organs or the spine.  At this time euthanasia is the kindest option.  Another sign to watch for us pus or blood from the rear as this can indicate that it has ruptured - again this is when euthanasia is needed. Slow growing tumors can take months before they cause a problem - you never quite know how fast they will grow and usually you wait until there is a visible problem with the hamster's behaviour before making the decision about euthanasia or not.  I've had several hamsters with abdominal tumors and some have deteriorated quickly, others seem to go on ages and die more from old age.

Providing your hamster is behaving normally, doesn't seem to be bothered by anything as such and is eating and playing normally, then I wouldn't worry too much about this. If there are any other symptoms or you are worried (which you obviously are and which is understandable) then it would be worth getting a vet to have another look and ask them to have a good feel in the abdomen etc. for any lumps.  This will put your mind at rest, but I would think that this can wait a few more days.

I hope this helps you.  

Regards
Sheila