Dwarf Hamster Vaginal Bleeding

[Eyris]

I am the very proud owner of a wonderful little female dwarf hamster named Elliot. (I know, I know, the hamster may have gender identity issues thanks to me =) ) She's a little over a year and a half old and has always been in perfect health.

About two months ago now, I noticed that she was bleeding just a little bit from her vaginal area. It was only a tiny bit of spotting, so I went on the internet to see what the cause might be before taking her to a vet, as I'm a poor college student. =) Online I read that sometimes hamsters can have some spotting as a normal menstrual cycle a couple times in their lives. That being said, I decided to wait a few days and if it didn't stop or got worse I would take her in.

So the bleeding seemed to have stopped for about a month, when I noticed the bleeding again. This time, there was more blood. I made an appointment for the vet the next morning but did some research online again. A few different sources said that hamsters can have vaginal infections that cause such bleeding that are easily treated with antibiotics.

Hoping that was the case, I took her into the vet. Much to my disappointment, the vet said she thought that Elliot had a uterine tumor and that the only way to save her was to spay her, a traumatic surgery for a dwarf hamster, and that Elliot would only have a 50% chance of surviving the surgery itself. Not to mention, the surgery would be $250+.

Now, even if money were no object to me (that's an entire paycheck in my world) I certainly didn't want to put Elliot through something like that. I asked the vet if I could have some anti-biotics, just in case it was a vaginal infection. She agreed on the premise that there are often secondary infections related to tumors, and sent me home with Baytril and some vitamins to help with iron deficiency due to blood loss.

Elliot continued to bleed, more or less, for about a week after I started the antibiotic/vitamin treatments. It's now three weeks later and I haven't seen any bleeding in the last two weeks. I stopped giving her the Baytril a couple days ago, and stopped the vitamins when I noticed the bleeding had stopped.

So my question is...has anyone else experienced something like this? Should I seek the advice of another vet? She has never acted like she was in pain and has been her normal self through all of this.

Just looking for some advice from someone more experienced (she's my first hamster). Thanks so much everyone! Sorry for writing a book!

[jennawing]

Yes, I have-and I think you are very smart not to have such a mature animal operated on. I went for the surgery in my Syrian, Cream Soda- and she lived her last six weeks in pain, discomfort, and confusion. She died 2 months shy of her 2nd bday- that was in 2003.

I have since looked into this more- I keep a lot of hamsters and know it will happen again someday, unfortunately. It can be treated with steroids along with the antibiotics and this sometimes will help slow the growth of the tumor. I do not know right offhand what steroids are safe for hamsters, but if your vet doesn't know, I will be glad to find out for you. You are welcome to email me anytime.

Good luck, little Elliott. I know your human is looking after you!

[Angelnstuff]

i have no advice for you, as ive only had 2 hamsters in my life, neither had anyhealth problems, but shes a year and 1/2 old, which is pretty old, and if shes not in any pain. i would seriously wonder if its worth putting her threw surgery. i would prolly let her be, as long as she seems unbotherd by it. spoil her rotten of course, and give her tons of love. Best of luck to you and Elliot both.

[Eyris]

Elliot has started bleeding some again. I had hoped the vet was wrong and she just had an infection, but if it's coming back I guess she probably does have a tumor.

I'm giving her the vitamins for iron loss as well as another vitamin for small animals.

In the meantime, she's still acting like her normal active self.

[jennawing]

Poor sweetie. Did you get a chance to ask him about steroids?