Maestro is here! - Page 26

Coco61 · 09-20-2019, 01:07 PM

Yes, he is a bottle chewer and has been for a long time. He will drink then put the spout up his pouch I assume and then drink again. He does this many times over a drink session. I have no specific bowl right now but can go to P@H tomorrow and get the vitamins too.
Will it matter that I cannot measure how much he drinks from a bowl to determine whether to carry on into week 2 with antibiotics? Or should I wait for a week before switching to a bowl if the medicine has no effect?

souffle · 09-20-2019, 01:39 PM

I think this may be having an affect on him. I'd move to a bowl and see what happens. You need to change it daily to keep it fresh. Did you mention the bottle chewing to the vets? Maybe give them a call and see what they think? Overdrinking changes the body chemistry and he may be losing lots of nutrients in his urine. I'm not a vet so I would see what they think first but this is my experience with bottle chewing and we go out our way to stop it even if it is extra hassle with the bowls. If he is thirsty he will drink from the bowl. If he continues to pee a lot you will know that there must be something going on. If he seems to pee less with the bowl then it will be the chewing causing the over urination.

Coco61 · 09-20-2019, 01:49 PM

Thank you soufflé. I will get a bowl at once. Not sure I can speak to the vet until Monday. I have always changed his bottle water daily and checked the water level to see how much he was drinking. He was drinking 5-10 mls daily all his life until the recent change when it moved quickly from 20-30 and even 40 though the moist food has reduced it to about 35.
The vet recognised the unusual increase but I did not mention the chewing. Maestro never has a wet front or left a puddle of water. Tuftyfluffs asked if he pouched water as she once had a girl who did that and then spat it out!

Pebbles82 · 09-20-2019, 03:26 PM

Good Maestro has seen the vet and hope things resolve. Does he pee more as well? I was also wondering if he is actually drinking it all, but if it's a recent thing then it sounds like it maybe.

If it is any consolation I've found this happens when they get older with both our Syrians, although they have been nearly 2 when they started I seem to remember. Drinking and peeing more.

Hope the antibiotics help.

Coco61 · 09-21-2019, 10:34 AM

Following soufflé's advice, today I bought a hamster water bowl. It has dips in the side so access to the water is easier. I saw Maestro using it a short time ago so he can drink ok. Also I bought the Beaphar hamster vitamin drops and added a little to his baby food in the teaspoon. This is offered immediately after the antibiotics and he has as much as he wants.
To be able to measure his water intake, I put a measured amount of water in his new bowl so that when I change his water, I can measure what is left and know what he has had.
Simples!
I will complete the first week of antibiotics as it has started, then consult the vet over week 2 based his water consumption.

Thin Lizzy · 09-24-2019, 05:40 PM

Maestro is oozing so much gorgeousness at 18 months, he gets more beautiful with age. Loved the piccies Coco. So glad your boy has taken to the bowl of water, fingers crossed he improves with his antibiotics. Sending him big hugs xxx

Coco61 · 09-25-2019, 05:00 AM

Thanks Serendipity and TL. I am not optimistic over the antibiotics now. Last dose of week 1 tonight. The vet was clear, if it is an infection there would be a substantial reduction in his drinking by now. Then give week 2 to ensure the infection is beaten. Otherwise stop.
In fact there is little progress on the drinking. The bowl holds 40 mls. During the first 2 24hr periods he drank 25. By last night it was back at 35 again and I can see it is heading that way today. He has certainly mastered bowl drinking.
I am uncertain about a blood test to examine kidney function in more detail. I dont know if this can lead to any treatment or management. I will have to ask the vet. For now, after tonight's dose, I will let him settle down for a while but continue the baby food in the cage. He eats a small amount quite happily and it has the hamster vitamin drops in it.

Pebbles82 · 09-25-2019, 06:05 AM

I am sorry the drinking hasn't improved with antibiotics. It does sound like his kidneys and his age. Hope your vet can help. It's tricky when he's only 18 months. If he was two you would expect this as part of the ageing process.

RenK777 · 09-25-2019, 07:35 PM

He's adorable! Love the story behind the name <3

Coco61 · 09-26-2019, 09:26 AM

Thank you Ren. Maestro is a lovely boy with a very calm personality.

I have just rung the vet to update on the lack of success in reducing his water drinking with antibiotics. So no infection indicated.
The advice over a blood test is that this can test for kidney or liver damage caused by excess water drinking. Medication can help support function of either affected organ.
So I will give Maestro time out from unusual activity in his routine and then make the appointment for the blood test.