Getting a urine sample

BorisPasha · 08-30-2017, 03:50 AM

Hello, I'm looking for some help on trying to get a urine sample.

I noticed a lump on Pasha on the underside of his neck on Friday morning and we managed to get an appointment at the vets on Monday afternoon. It turns out that the lump is just a skin tag or wart and as it's so small the vet suggested leaving it unless there were any changes or it causing him problems.

He's been acting normally, eating drinking peeing as usual (or so I thought) etc, but on the Saturday there was a very smelly area under his shelf in the fitch. It didn't smell like his normal pee smell either. Pasha always pee's in his sand so I was surprised to find such a smelly area. As he was still peeing in his sand as much as normal it got me a bit concerned. I hadn't noticed him drinking more than normal but he has been eating a lot of his fresh veg everynight but I didn't really think too much about it until I found the smelly pee area.

The vet asked us to try and get a sample from him so he can test it for infection/diabetes but I've had no success so far. I put him in a clean plastic box with his ceramic house and some treats but he just freaked out. His feet were sliding all over the place and he was frantic to get out. I couldn't bear seeing him so distressed so took him out. I tried again last night but it was the same thing. We even put an empty sand bath in the corner of the box but it didn't work. I also noticed a bald patch of fur under his eye that wasn't there on Monday, it looks like he has rubbed it on something.

The vet has said that if we can't manage to get a sample then they will give him a little bit gas to make him sleepy and they will take some blood. I'm apprehensive about that and would rather we could get one "naturally".

Sorry for the huge ramble but thought it would help if I gave some background. I've replaced his corner toilet where he usually pees with an empty one but he's not went near it.

If anyone has any suggestions or tips please let me know.

Many thanks

AprilPearl · 08-30-2017, 04:04 AM

I am really sorry to hear that you are concerned about Pasha - and I very much hope that all is well.

My tip was going to be to get him up out of bed some time mid morning (Quigley always pees first thing afte waking up) and putting him in a plastic box straight away. If I did this with Quigley, I know he would go directly into a corner and pee.

However, you say he freaked out in the plastic box. Could you do what I outlined above, but instead of putting him into a plastic box - put him into the playpen (you can put a waterproof mat underneath it to catch the pee when he goes).

Good luck. Sorry if I haven't been any help. I really hope that he is fine and you manage to get that sample.

BorisPasha · 08-30-2017, 07:58 AM

Thank you AP

I tried getting him out of bed on the second attempt but he didn't pee either (was hoping being sleepy would do the trick). Yes I wasn't thinking about the playpens with a mat. I could try using Sparky and Snappy's playpen as it has the black mat at least that way I can put his toys in it and wheel and maybe he'll relax a bit if his feet aren't sliding around so much on the plastic. It's either that or I buy him some trainers!

AprilPearl · 08-30-2017, 08:02 AM

Lol hamster trainers! Sorry Pasha, but I did laugh

Good luck with the playpen. Fingers crossed it works.

Could just be a case of making him comfortable in there and waiting it out - but not if he seems upset in there, obviously.

BorisPasha · 08-30-2017, 08:16 AM

Thank you

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed and telling Pasha not to bother crossing his legs!

EJoy123 · 08-30-2017, 09:40 AM

Ok, so I don't know a lot about this, but have you ever seen a video about people raising really young animals for one reason or another? Some mother animals lick their young's rear end after they've had some milk to stimulate them to pee. Humans have been known to replicate this using a a cotton bud or something along those lines. I'd do a bit of research on it first, but it might work better than waiting it out?

Amethyst_ice · 08-30-2017, 03:18 PM

I'd suggest putting a jam jar in. Some people litter train their hamster with a jam jar but put substrate in. I'd put it in the corner he usually wees in and keep checking without putting any substrate n it

x

BorisPasha · 09-01-2017, 09:33 AM

Thank you so much for the suggestions

He is back at the vets for the anasthetic on Monday at 4.45pm so hopefully we can get something from him before then

AprilPearl · 09-01-2017, 09:39 AM

Good luck! Hope all goes well x

dreamtree1234 · 09-01-2017, 11:54 AM

BP, I'm really sorry to hear that you are concerned about Pasha. Unfortunately, I don't have any other suggestions for you other than those that were given already. Maybe, you could slightly dampen a tissue and wipe his bum with it to encourage him to pee, and then place him in his empty potty. Once he does it you can dry his fur with another tissue. I will be hoping that you are able to get a urine sample soon and will get good results from the vet on Monday. Fingers crossed that all will go well. Hugs to you, BP! Cuddles to Pasha!