diabetes

[flybubble]

Hi!
I just stumbled upon this today and I must say this is a neat hamster forum and pet site... and Yinx, you're here! http://petshub.com/ubb/wink.gif

I have a hamster problem. One of my hamsters is suspected to have diabetes. Actually it is quite confirmed as he drinks a lot of water and also pees a lot. He is toilet trained and only pees in his bowl of sand and one day, I found it infested with LOTS of ants (although I had just change the sand last night)

So I called up a clinic, and the vet told me that there's no treatment for diabetes for hamsters. Which is very sad indeed. Just today, he urinated even more to his toilet and it's soaking wet. He's a very very tame russian campbell (I know a lot of people says russian campbells are mean, but I dun think so) and only abt 6 months old, it breaks my heart to see him deteroriting away. http://petshub.com/ubb/frown.gif

Any one have advice for me? Currently I am cutting down on his intake of sugary and saltish stuff. What else can I do? Praying for a miracle ...

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by flybubble (edited 03-01-2001).]

[susany]

flybubble,

I spoke to a lady whose hamster has diabetes. The lady told me that the vet adivsed her to give the hamster mineral water, which hopingly will clear the sugary contents in the body. Also, she says that the vet doesn't guarantee that it works, as it depends solely on the hamster, but it is worth a try. Also, give lots of greens. Avoid sweet food, like bananas and corns.

[xooxoo]

Hello flybubble,

Yinx here http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif

I discovered about a month ago that one of my argente campbells is diabetic. She displayed the same symptoms as what u have described for ur hamster. Doudou (the hamster's name) is toilet trained as well, & I have to change her chinchilla dust once every 2 days...

I've yet to find any ants infesting her tank, but I've seen tiny fruit-flies hovering around her hamster toilet. As for ur problem with ants, maybe u shld try balancing the cage/tank on a dish of water, which in turn is placed on another bigger dish of water. This way, the ants will have to 'swim' to get to the cage, & they'll drown in the process.

My Doudou is only about 9mths old. The main thg u have to note is : NEVER breed diabetic hamsters. Diabetes can be passed down to the offspring (50% chance). Fyi, Doudou's mother is a diabetic too. It's really lucky that Doudou's daughter is in perfect health & doesn't have diabetes.

Yes, u r right in cutting down on his intake of sweet/saltish stuff. Other foods NOT to feed to diabetic hamsters r : fruits (contain frutose) & carbohydrates foodstuff (excessive carbohydrates will be converted into sugar, which can harm the hamster). Feed ur hamster the usual hamster foodmix, & supplement with lots of vegetables. Remember, hamster treats r a big no-no!

Lastly, u may like to purchase this oral medicine known as 'Repalyte' from pharmacy. It retails for 25cts/pack, & comes in small silver packets. Add repalyte to the hamster's water bottle once every 2 days. Remember to HALF the dosage according to the instructions on the pack. The solution should be disposed off after a day. Hence, it's a little troublesome - u'll have to wash & refill the water bottle every other day.

If u have any other queries, feel free to email me (click on my profile). Btw, do not be upset if ur hamster loses a lot of weight - my hamster has lost a bit of weight, & there's nothg one can do about it.

[flybubble]

Thanks Susany! I'll try to give him mineral water from now on!

And hi Yinx! Thanks for replying. He's still peeing a lot, I have to change the sand every day, but other than that, he looks very active, playful and healthy. http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif

Is Repalyte reliable? I am afraid of side effects ... besides it's meant for humans rite? is it harmful for hamster? what does it do actually?

By the way u may encounter fruit flies as you leave fresh food overnight, not because of sugar. http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks!

[susany]

Hello xooxoo,

Are you Yinx? Cos i am confused. You have a name as "Yinx" right? What happened to the name? http://petshub.com/ubb/confused.gif

[xooxoo]

Hello flybubble & susany,

Yes, I am Yinx http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif I changed my email address recently, hence a new registration & new username.

Well, there's nothing you can do about the peeing...they drink all the water to prevent dehydration, hence they'll also output lots of urine.

CHS recommended PEDIALYTE, but a doctor friend of mine told me REPALYTE would be better. Um, I can't remember the scientific reason for this :P Sorry! Just fyi, PEDIALYTE comes in a liquid solution, whilst REPALYTE comes in powder form.

Don't worry, REPALYTE is safe for hamsters' consumption, as my friend has tried it on her diabetic hamster already.

[xooxoo]

Hi flybubble,

Forgot to tell u - do house the diabetic hamster by itself. This is cos any injuries/wounds sustained by diabteic hamsters take a very long time to heal, & sometimes, the wounds might even worsen due to their medical condition.

[flybubble]

Yep he's staying alone ... just another question, does the medicated drink taste bad? Coz I don't want him to "suffer" drinking badly tasted water the whole day.
Basically the medicine rehydrates the hamster so that he won't feel so thirsty whole day rite? And how long should my hamster be on the medication?

Thanks! appreciate your concern and help!

[This message has been edited by flybubble (edited 03-02-2001).]

[xooxoo]

All I know is, Repalyte is a form of oral electrolytes. Yes, it will prevent dehydration.

As for the taste, I doubt it'll taste bad. After all, it's meant for human consumption, so I thk it should be alright. Hmm, maybe u can try it out & tell me how it tastes like http://petshub.com/ubb/wink.gif

Diabetic humans require their insulin injections daily, but this is not possible for hamsters. Hence, I think this oral medicine will have to be continued through out the hamster's life span, as it'll replace the insulin injections.

Hmm, ok, these are just my opinions. Maybe someone from the medical field will care to comment on this?

[Nongo]

Hi! I just found this post during a search for hamster diabetes on the web. Thank you for the information! My hamster has just started to exhibit these symptoms, and I will take the advice posted here.

Will a salt wheel in the cage, instead of electrolytes in the water, help?

Also, how in the world did you teach your dwarf hamsters to use a hamster toilet?? http://petshub.com/ubb/smile.gif

[susany]

Hello,

Nongo, use some chinchillas sand and put it in the hamster toilet. Naturally, the hamsters will pee and poop in the toilet. Or take some soiled beddings, put it in the toilet, the hamsters will soon learn to do their business there really soon.

So for the salt wheel, i am not too sure about it. I don't suppose it help, but do seek another pet friend for adivse. http://petshub.com/ubb/wink.gif


flybubble, how's your hamster getting on now?


Do keep us posted about your hamsters. Take care.