Diabetic?

GarnetsSlave · 05-30-2013, 05:50 AM

Hi,

I recently bought 2 Winter White Russian Dwarfs from a breeder and they are doing great. I have them on a diabetes preventative diet and have done some research on what to do. However, I have heard mixed views on whether Winter Whites are really diabetic. I believe it's better to be safe than sorry, but I just wondered what you guys do?

Also, I have never given my dwarfs commercial hamster treats and have only given them to my Syrian. Do you give your Winter White commercially-made treats? If you do, which ones do you find best?

I am intrigued to find out what you do, as I am not sure whether I could be treating my hamsters a little more than I already do. Thanks!

Garnets Slave

Oshawott · 05-30-2013, 05:52 AM

The only way to know for sure if they have diabetes is to buy a test, which I believe you can get online or by going to the vets.

I've read that pure dwarfs are no more susceptible to diabetes than syrians (could be remembering that wrong) and that it is the hybrids that have the highest risk for developing diabetes. So if your hamster was bought from a breeder and they are pure winter whites I would think the risk for diabetes is low.

**Silver** · 05-30-2013, 05:55 AM

It would need to be a National Hamster Council Breeder for them to be pure WW's

xxx

**kyrilliondaemon** · 05-30-2013, 06:18 AM

If they are definetly, definetly, definetly, completely 100% purebred winter whites they will not be prone to diabetes. However - to be that sure they'd have to be from an NHC breeder you trusted. Most "winter white breeders" really sell hybrids, so it depends on the individual breeder.

slatted · 05-30-2013, 01:55 PM

I think the issue is that hybrids are "prone" to diabetes not that they have it just because they are hybrids (or Campbells or Chinese)?

Cautious owners feed a diet with restricted sugar to help prevent its onset but an eye needs to be kept on them for signs of actual diabetes it is not a foregone conclusion that a hybrid has it or will get it as far as I understand it.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 05-30-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slatted

I think the issue is that hybrids are "prone" to diabetes not that they have it just because they are hybrids (or Campbells or Chinese)?

Cautious owners feed a diet with restricted sugar to help prevent its onset but an eye needs to be kept on them for signs of actual diabetes it is not a foregone conclusion that a hybrid has it or will get it as far as I understand it.

You're completely right about all of that

We've got a hybrid who has diabetes, we also know that unfortunately in his case it is genetic so we're keeping a very, very close eye on his family as we expect at least some of those to develop diabetes later in life. But that said - even some of the related hams might never get it and of our first four hybrids three passed without developing diabetes and the last survivor from that group is over two years old and still has no signs of diabetes