"In dwarf hamsters, the glands are quite protuberant, sometimes hairless, often showing a greasy to waxy yellow secretion." "In Syrians, the scent glands are flat, often greasy or wet looking, sometimes pigmented, and with some longer hairs over them," Johnson said. The appearance often varies further between species. "On all of the domestic dwarf species-including Roborovskis, Campbells, winter whites and Chinese-they are single and situated on the ventral midline close to the umbilicus." "Scent glands are bilateral, and situated on the flanks of Syrian hamsters," Johnson said. In addition to differences between the sexes, there is also variation among species. It will also scratch and rub itself as if the area is irritated." When the male is excited, it will lick its scent glands until the entire area is wet. "The scent glands are more prominent in males than females. Kling says hamsters' scent glands are also known as flank glands or hip spots. of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians and has treated exotic pets for 20 years. Kling, DVM, of Macon, Ga., is secretary of the Assn. Owners and veterinarians should be aware of hamsters' scent glands' normal appearance and odor, Johnson said.Įven practitioners who treat exotics on a regular basis often admit not knowing much about hamsters, and perhaps most perplexing are hamsters' scent glands. Johnson estimates she's had 60 to 70 pet hamsters throughout her life. "They are not generally very well understood by owners and even by some vets," she said. Microbiologist Elizabeth Johnson, a fourth-year student of veterinary medicine and surgery at Glasgow University School of Veterinary Medicine in Scotland, said her love for furry little creatures, including hamsters, has led to an unexpected discovery.
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