Cloudy, sticky urine and strong odor!

[rocknrage]

I've had my Syrian for almost a year now and just the last few days I've noticed a very significant odor difference! Even when I clean his cage, he manages to stink it up the next day, if not sooner! It really hits your nostrils, almost in the way that vinegar does.
His urine has been yellowish/white and very cloudy and sticky. This has been this way for a few months, but I was assured this was normal when spring/summer comes around due to going into heat. Is this true?
Although the cloudyness has seemed fine, the odor is recent and extremely unpleasant. Besides that, his behavior is fine- normal food/water intake, exercising regularly, and no aggressiveness.
If this makes any difference, he always presses up against the glass (it's a tank) upside down, in a hand stand position to use the bathroom. I've always thought this was strange, but maybe he's just a strange little guy.

[Piebald]

Your hammy is a male? Males do not go into heat. Who assured you about this? Milky pee is normal for a hamster but not really smelly like you describe. The hand stand is likely a marking thing. I think you should see a vet . He may have an infection. You might get some PH strips and test the urine and bring the tested strips and some substrate soaked with urine to the vet also (as fresh as possible). Ask the vet about this ahead of time to see if it would be helpful. Good luck xx

[Nancy's Hamsters]

I Think your confusing Heat cycle with scent marking. Males may decide to leave a sorta calling card around their housing during the more common breeding time for Hamsters which tends to be late spring to early fall. If your hamster has reason to believe his territory AKA his cage has been intruded upon and his scent removed( What we mean nasty humans tend to do when we do a complete cage clean out) He may feel it important to remark his whole cage with his smells which of course during mating season above would mean he is leaving a scent which should draw a female unto him, as well as tell any competitive male that "THIS cage is MINE so get lost".

Have you any other Hamsters besides him? OR have you handled any other hamster and came home and didn't wash your hands? This could make him feel threatened of and intruder about to try and take over his territory so he is marking all his stuff. Sorta like a male Lion sprays his urine all over the borders of his pride land to tell any other male Lions to scram this pride is mine and I will fight you if you come in.

As Piebald stated it may not hurt to take a fresh sample of his urine to a Vets just to make sure he doesn't have and infection in the urinary tract, as Hamsters being prey animals will hide any and all pain until the pain is so bad they can't hide it. Early detection of a UTI will make it much easier to heal if found early before it starts showing it's effects by Hamster's behaviors.

When in doubt it is always best to err on the safe side and have a Vet examine him. If it is just scenting you will have a good laugh and have information to share with others for years to come, BUT if it would end up and infection then you can get immediate treatment and save Hammy a lot of unneeded pain.

[rocknrage]

Originally Posted by Nancy's Hamsters

I Think your confusing Heat cycle with scent marking. Males may decide to leave a sorta calling card around their housing during the more common breeding time for Hamsters which tends to be late spring to early fall. If your hamster has reason to believe his territory AKA his cage has been intruded upon and his scent removed( What we mean nasty humans tend to do when we do a complete cage clean out) He may feel it important to remark his whole cage with his smells which of course during mating season above would mean he is leaving a scent which should draw a female unto him, as well as tell any competitive male that "THIS cage is MINE so get lost".

Have you any other Hamsters besides him? OR have you handled any other hamster and came home and didn't wash your hands? This could make him feel threatened of and intruder about to try and take over his territory so he is marking all his stuff. Sorta like a male Lion sprays his urine all over the borders of his pride land to tell any other male Lions to scram this pride is mine and I will fight you if you come in.

As Piebald stated it may not hurt to take a fresh sample of his urine to a Vets just to make sure he doesn't have and infection in the urinary tract, as Hamsters being prey animals will hide any and all pain until the pain is so bad they can't hide it. Early detection of a UTI will make it much easier to heal if found early before it starts showing it's effects by Hamster's behaviors.

When in doubt it is always best to err on the safe side and have a Vet examine him. If it is just scenting you will have a good laugh and have information to share with others for years to come, BUT if it would end up and infection then you can get immediate treatment and save Hammy a lot of unneeded pain.

Actually, that makes a lot of sense! I recently moved and had to keep my hammies (seperate cages) at a friend's house for a few weeks, but they were kept in the same room as her rats! And let me tell you, it did NOT smell good in there.
He must still be alert from that, although he has been in the new place for more than a few days. I guess I'll wait it out a few more and see if he calms down a bit.
Thank you!

[rocknrage]

Originally Posted by Piebald

Your hammy is a male? Males do not go into heat. Who assured you about this? Milky pee is normal for a hamster but not really smelly like you describe. The hand stand is likely a marking thing. I think you should see a vet . He may have an infection. You might get some PH strips and test the urine and bring the tested strips and some substrate soaked with urine to the vet also (as fresh as possible). Ask the vet about this ahead of time to see if it would be helpful. Good luck xx

Thank you for the reply and the concern. I think I figured it out, but will take him to a vet if things don't clear up soon!