Possible urine infection?

Jeff · 08-10-2019, 10:41 AM

My hamster, Pumpkin, (6 months old) has yellow-orange coloured urine which has only been noticeable for the last week, before it was not noticeable. She doesn’t seem like she’s in pain, and she is being her usual self but the colour is concerning. There’s no blood in it from what I can tell, and she’s not urinating over/under frequently or drinking more/less than normal. Her diet hasn’t changed at all, we have taken her to the vet and we were prescribed antibiotics but don’t want to rush into using them if there’s no infection, as the vet had no urine to analyse so prescribed as a precaution. Could it be a urine infection or is this darker coloured urine normal? It tints her sawdust to a darker shade but as previously said she doesn’t squeak or act as if she is in pain with it. Can these antibiotics do more harm than good? (Baytrill 2.5%) and Metacam (anti inflammatory)
Many thanks!

GhostsInSnow · 08-10-2019, 11:24 AM

Hamster urine can be darker in colour and can turn the shavings a different colour. If you choose to give your hamster the metacam and baytril it will obviously clear up any potential infection and if your vet has advised to give them then I'd err on the side of caution and do that. You may want to give a tiny bit of probiotic yoghurt to help keep her tummy settled whilst she is on the baytril.
I work in a vets and would always advise that you follow the vets advice, however, it is ultimately your decision whether you choose to do that or not

Jeff · 08-10-2019, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostsInSnow

Hamster urine can be darker in colour and can turn the shavings a different colour. If you choose to give your hamster the metacam and baytril it will obviously clear up any potential infection and if your vet has advised to give them then I'd err on the side of caution and do that. You may want to give a tiny bit of probiotic yoghurt to help keep her tummy settled whilst she is on the baytril.
I work in a vets and would always advise that you follow the vets advice, however, it is ultimately your decision whether you choose to do that or not

What is the best way to administer the liquid antibiotics? Going to start the course tomorrow but I’m not sure if she is going to willingly take it. She’s used to us often bottle-feeding her water but whether she will see it the same I’m not sure. If she fails to, I don’t particularly want to force it upon her and her feel frightened of it instead? Any tips?

LunaTheHamster1 · 08-10-2019, 12:03 PM

Metacam, some hamsters will just take it straight off the syringe. If not, you can add it to some baby food or dog food. If you get baby food, you can freeze it down into ice cube trays and it will last longer than the week you will need it. - it can then become an extra treat.

The baytrill, putting it in baby food or dog food did not work for me - i ended up using 1 part of medicine to 1 part of water in the syringe with a little bit of honey on the end - Hamsters will find the baytrill too bitter for them and will dislike it - you can try without all of this, but if that doesn't work these things can help. You put the baytrill first in the syringe, then the water then the honey on the end- so it disguises the baytrill for your hamster.

The best way I have found to give baytrill to luna is turn her so she faces me - back away at a slight angle but head in the air, supported by my fingers/hand, put syringe in her mouth at a slight angle, with it aiming towards the pouch - so you don't choke them with it.
I can also do it where i hold her against my body nice and snug and put the syringe in her mouth - again at the slight angle, aiming towards a pouch.
i give her atreat afterwards and she soon forgets all of this and still loves me - i have to do it twice a day for the rest of her life - so sadly i have lots of experience now, but it's worth it if it helps her.
re baby food i used - Ella's - you want one with no spices added and i went for one with just veggies in it that hamsters can eat
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/produc...CTQ0OX2iDITz_E

the dog food i tried was hunters brand, which was recommended to me on here
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/produc...nC2_WYOQMV0wMg

hope this helps and your hamster soon better and/or you less worried abut her.

LunaTheHamster1 · 08-10-2019, 12:08 PM

p.s. i was also prescribed baytrill last year for one week for Luna,before she was on it permanantly as I was worried about her, so even though I didn't know if she really needed it or not, I still did it - if that helps you. I think it is better to be safe than sorry - does the urine smell stronger than normal?

alpacassei · 08-11-2019, 03:56 AM

What species is your hamster? For Russian dwarfs I put baytril inside of dried mealworms and for other species I’ve found mixing it with honey works best

GhostsInSnow · 08-11-2019, 01:20 PM

One thing I always do with my hamsters from when they are young is to offer a baby food via syringe. That way they get used to taking stuff from the syringe rather than be scared of it. It means I can mix meds in with baby food, draw it up in a syringe and give it that way so I know they've had the whole dose