Kidney disease in Syrians

[Christine Yule]

Hi Holly,

Kidney disease is said to be quite common in Syrians.

There are numerous kinds of kidney problems but almost all are fatal, I am afraid. :cry: Sometimes, a hamster may have blood in its urine and may have just a simple kidney infection that can be treated with antibiotics. However, in my experience, the infection is often caused by complications that antibiotics cannot cure. But, I always take the hamster to the Vet for an examination and antibiotics just in case it may be cured. Unfortunately, most of my girl's have had to be put down later.

Signs of kidney problems are fluid retention if the kidneys have completely failed. If this happens the hamster needs to go to the Vet immediately, likely to be put to down. Sometimes only one kidney is the problem and the hamster will not swell up with fluid but will stop urinating, eating and drinking and lose weight very quickly. A Vet can feel the size of the kidneys and tell if one or both are involved. A Vet will likely prescribe multiple strong antibiotics.

Kidney disease can't be cured in humans or animals so what I do is to try to prevent or at least put it off by not adding protein to their diet. I stick to grains, veggies and fruits for treats and hope for the best. :)

Hamstermama

[souffle]

I think that there has been a rise in diagnosis of kidney disease in hamsters because they seem to live a lot longer these days and the kidneys deteriorate with age. In the wild hamsters are unlikely to reach the age of a captive animal so they would not show with this disease. Perhaps it is also a problem with some lines too. We have always fed protein to youngsters and adults on a limited basis throughout their lives and we have been lucky in that they have all reached a minimum of two years for quite some time touch wood. As they age we notice that they nearly all drink and wee more so I imagine this indicates the kidneys are becoming less efficient.

[Holly]

I think that there has been a rise in diagnosis of kidney disease in hamsters because they seem to live a lot longer these days and the kidneys deteriorate with age. In the wild hamsters are unlikely to reach the age of a captive animal so they would not show with this disease.

Makes sense.

I know it's hard to be absolutely specific but how much and what protein to yours tend to get, Souffle?

[souffle]

Adults get maybe once a week a piece of chciken, cheese, cube of tofu or teaspoon of scrambled egg. We tend to give everyone a bowl of porridge made with wheatgerm, porridge and a little lactol once a week too. Youngsters get more up to 4-5 months. It is a personal preference that works for us. I would think this would mimic a natural diet (except the porridge maybe!) where the main food would be seeds/nuts/ berries etc supplemented by the occassional insect or animal protein source.