AboutSheila Adby Expertise Syrian hamsters are my specialty, however, I have kept Campbells,Winter Whites and gerbils in the past. I can advise on most subjects associated with hamsters, including housing, bedding, feeding, handling, new borns and catching escapees. I have had some experience of various health problems with hamsters and can offer my opinion and advice on basic health issues, however I am not a qualified vet and therefore cannot recommend drugs etc. My website is www.thehamstersite.com
Experience I have been keeping hamsters and other small animals for more than 12 years. My favourites are Syrian hamsters and I foster litters and 'difficult' hamsters for a rescue centre. My job is to tame hamsters ready for re-homing, which is extremely rewarding. I also enjoy looking after new litters and raising the pups. I have co-written a book on hamsters with my local vet and have a website: www.thehamstersite.com
Publications Hamsters in Sickness and in Health - Sheila Adby and Dan O'Neill ISBN186163218-5 (Capall Bann Publishing)
Education/Credentials Educated to A Level standard in the UK.
I've just bought a female syrian hamster. She is one colour all over but I had noticed two marks that just look like slightly different coloured fur. Today these two patches (on the same place either side) were quite damp. They are only small patches. After I handled her these gradually went back to being just slightly different coloured fur. Any ideas what this could be? Is she getting too hot?
Many thanks for your time
Answer Hi Josie
This is nothing to worry about. Syrian hamsters have scent glands that are situated on their hips. Sometimes they appear as brownish dots and on some hamsters you can see them clearly in that their fur can be quite thin around this area. Other hamsters you hardly notice them at all. Some hamsters do keep licking them and it isn't that uncommon to see a hamster with two wet sides. If you see your hamster rubbing herself up against something, this means she is putting her scent there so that she recognizes it. Hamsters' eyesight is incredibly poor and so they rely very heavily on their sense of smell.
Regarding the summer heat - it is important to make sure her cage isn't on a windowsill or in direct sunlight. Hamsters can't pant like dogs to cool down and therefore there is the danger they can overheat in extreme circumstances. Therefore, if the weather is hot it is important to make sure the cage is in a cool part of the house. All my hamster cages are in a room that faces south so it can get extremely hot in the summer, therefore I keep the curtains closed and set an electric fan on a timer to come on during the midday heat. If the temperature gets too hot then I relocate the cages into a cooler room. Also, I don't know what type of cage you have her in - if it is a wire cage then ventilation is usually pretty good in these, however, if it is a tubular/enclosed cage then it important to make sure she is cool as these cages don't allow for much air circulation and they can feel hotter. If she is hot she may well abandon her nest and sleep in the open. In extreme circumstances if a hamster has collapsed from heatstroke/heat exhaustion then it is important to carefully cool them down - this is done by spraying some cold water on them and drying off with a fan. It is important not to over-do this as the sudden change in temperature can cause hypothermia/shock so it needs to be done gently. Also, the hamster would need rehydrating - this is done by a vet with an injection of fluids just under the skin, alternatively if your hamster looks reasonably bright or you just can't get her to a vet quickly then you might be able to give some rehydration fluids via a dropper. The human oral rehydration powders are fine for hamsters - just follow the instructions. Hopefully you will never need to do this - in all the years I've kept hamsters I've only had to do this once. If you make sure she has clean water, and also give her a small amount of fresh vegetables every evening (avoid lettuce as this can cause diarrhea) in addition to her usual hamster dry mix, this should give her some moisture.
Hope you get on OK - please let me know if you need any more advice.
