common symptoms of diabetes?

[lau200]

hi, just wondering what other symptoms accompany excessive water drinking and also if ww's can get diabetes?

thanks,
Laura

[SnuggleHam]

Hello Lau, Im not really sure what to suggest, but here are some links to a few articles on the site that may help...

List of all kinds of hamster ailments
http://www.hamstercentral.com/user.p...ewArticle&a=30


Article about diabetic hamsters.

Diabetes is more common in Dwarf Hamster species (Campbells and Winter White Russian)

http://www.hamstercentral.com/user.p...ewArticle&a=17

[lau200]

thanks. someone on another forum says it's very unlikely my hamster has diabetes (she's a ww from a breeder, and not a hybrid) but i thought i'd better ask because i don't want to miss any sign of illness in my babies!

[BubblesandSqueak]

Diabetes is most often seen in Dwarf Campbells Russian Hamsters but can affect other species. Unfortunately many of the early Albino Campbells were found to have the disease but from the cross breeding of colours it can occur now in any colour. Reputable breeders have worked hard to eliminate diabetes and it is not a common problem.

Hamsters that develop diabetes will show symptoms of excessive drinking, excessive urinating and wasting. Other symptoms may include low body temperature, shaking and trembling and at worst a comatose state.

Veterinary treatment should be sought immediately. A pedialyte solution in the water bottle will help to avoid dehydration.

In some cases the feeding of a sugar free diet will help. If your vet recommends a sugar free diet this can be achieved by feeding a good quality seed mix, alfalfa, fresh vegetables such as carrots, turnips, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower daily and some boiled egg. Commercially processed food treats should be avoided because of the molasses and corn sugar they contain and fresh fruit should be avoided because of the fructose.

Hope this helped

[Pouchy]

As I understand it, diabetics, whether hairless or hairy, are not able to metabolise any form of sugar or to a limited extent. On another site someone suggested a high fat/high protein diet but no peanuts which to my mind provides both these things. Animals with diabetes waste away owing to the fact that they break down the fat, and much later, the protein in their bodies to obtain their sugar needs as they cannot metabolise any sugar in their diet. Science lessons - don't you just love 'em! Surely the best thing is to feed them as much protein and fat as they will eat to offset the likelihood of then eating thmselves from the inside without them becoming chronically obese.
I have tried the no sugar diet for a couple of weeks but all the grains in the diet contain carbohydrates which the hamms can't metabolise much anyway and my hams don'e eat much in the way of grains. Have tried Jumbo oats too but they won't eat those either. Peanuts and sunflower seeds are eaten with relish and have today discovered millet seems to be liked too. Also added a salt lick wheel as they must be losing salts the amount of urine they produce.