How long can a hamster have a menstration cycle?

Question

My hamster had dried blood around her bottom on Wednsday night. I cleaned it, and she was fine. She was acting normal. It has been the same routine now, dried blood every night. Now, today is Saturday, and it still happened. She is breathing a bit faster and is less active. I know that hamsters (like all mammals) get some sort of period, or 'in the heat'. How long will this last? (My uncle is a vet, he says she's fine, and it might be menstration cycle.) Please help!

Answer 1

Your uncle is not a small animal vet, is he? Regular vets rarely know much about small animals. Bleeding is not normal during heat cycles. I'd take her in to a small animal vet as this is concerning.

Answer 2

I didn't know hamsters could get their periods...are you gonna buy her some mini-pads???

Seriously though, listen to your uncle -- he's a vet and sees these kinds of things every day in his profession.  Just keep an eye on the hamster, her diet and water intake, give her a little extra bedding so she's comfortable, and ask your uncle if you can give her Midol!