Syrian hamster in heat?

Question
My female hamster has a strange odor and I am pretty sure that is just her "heat" smell (since I have smelled this before, but not quite as strong), however, I also noticed that her genital area seems darker than normal and is sort of wet.  She does NOT have wet tail, as I have had a hamster with this before many, many years ago.  The genital area is the only area that is wet.  She is about 14 months old now, which I read was around the time hamsters become sterile.  She has never been bred and is the only hamster in the house.

Thank you, in advance, for any advice you can give on this matter.


Answer
Hi Lori,

    Female hamsters do generally become sterile between the age of 12-14 months, but every hamster is different and may remain fertile longer.
    I feel that your hamster is still coming into heat from what you have said, as a female will put off a musky odor and have a discharge (usually a cloudy white color) which is probably why her genital area is kind of wet and the darker appearance is more than likely from her getting older.
    If you have anymore questions, please write again.

Thank you for writing!