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Vierville · 01-13-2020, 09:43 AM

Having read a bit about diabetes in dwarf hamsters, I initially was worried about Monty, (female aged 18 months) as she tends to drink more than my other hamsters (about 24ml in ten days). Last night however I was cleaning out Norman's sand box where he pees (male, 4 months) and noticed a very strong acetone or ammonia smell. Much stronger than my other dwarf hamsters' wee smells. He has had a stronger odour about him from day one.

I know that urine that smells of acetone is a sign of diabetes but he has no other signs- he drinks only a tiny amount (about 15ml in ten days) and his nails are not thickened or yellow. He gets lots of exercise and is in good condition. He has gained weight since we got him but we got him at two months old and he is now four months old and isn't overweight, he's just grown up a bit.

Any thoughts on particularly stinky urine?

P.S. : I am in the process of trying to get Diastix or Keto-Diastix...they are not available in my country so have to be ordered from overseas which will take a week or two.

01-13-2020, 09:43 AM
Vierville Hamster Addict Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 1,010	Acetone urine odour Having read a bit about diabetes in dwarf hamsters, I initially was worried about Monty, (female aged 18 months) as she tends to drink more than my other hamsters (about 24ml in ten days). Last night however I was cleaning out Norman's sand box where he pees (male, 4 months) and noticed a very strong acetone or ammonia smell. Much stronger than my other dwarf hamsters' wee smells. He has had a stronger odour about him from day one. I know that urine that smells of acetone is a sign of diabetes but he has no other signs- he drinks only a tiny amount (about 15ml in ten days) and his nails are not thickened or yellow. He gets lots of exercise and is in good condition. He has gained weight since we got him but we got him at two months old and he is now four months old and isn't overweight, he's just grown up a bit. Any thoughts on particularly stinky urine? P.S. : I am in the process of trying to get Diastix or Keto-Diastix...they are not available in my country so have to be ordered from overseas which will take a week or two.