A hamster may suffer from a rectal prolapse where the intestine is pushed through the anus to the outside of the body. If the intestine is not damaged a vet may be able to manipulate the intestine back inside the body. However, if the intestine is damaged this may not be possible.

Often it is diarrhoea or constipation that is the cause of the excessive straining that has caused the rectal prolapse and if this continues the rectal prolapse may recur.