Is your hamster diabetic?

[Vectis Hamstery]

To test him for diabetes you need either diastix (which test for glucose alone) or ketodiastix (which test for ketones and glucose). Ketostix only test for ketones therefore won't read any sugar in the urine which is what you are looking for in diabetes.

[Hamtastic]

For reference, these are the strips in question:
Amazon.com: Keto-Diastix Reagent Strips for Urinalysis, Tests for Urine,Glucose, and Ketone, 100: Health & Personal Care

I've purchased them and used 3 times on my Lucy so far. Very easy to use (and she thankfully does not have diabetes).

It's difficult to get them to pee sometimes so I found that keeping a bottle nearby during play time is optional. If you see a fresh puddle, just dip a strip into it right away.

[purple_x]

Thanks everyone.
I will be testing him next week when I have some of the sticks. He's started to pee when we get him out anyway so getting some pee to test wont be a problem!

I dont think Zeke is a pure WW, I was told he was one but he's a rescue hammy so I'm not really sure.

Gah, am all worried now

[purple_x]

Oh Zeke does have diabetes

My brothers gf is a vet nurse and she brought one of the sticks to test him and we tested him today.

So what would be a good food to feed him on then? He refuses to eat harry hamster and atm he is eating pets@home hamster feast stuff and that has waaaaaay too many sunflower seeds and bits of fruit in.
So what do I give him?
Would this be ok
http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/prod...r-harvest.html

[fluffymunchkins]

Originally Posted by purple_x

Oh Zeke does have diabetes

My brothers gf is a vet nurse and she brought one of the sticks to test him and we tested him today.

So what would be a good food to feed him on then? He refuses to eat harry hamster and atm he is eating pets@home hamster feast stuff and that has waaaaaay too many sunflower seeds and bits of fruit in.
So what do I give him?
Would this be ok
Dwarf Hamster Food | Burgess Supahamster Dwarf Hamster Harvest | Quality Hamster food | Burgess Pet Care

I'm very sorry to hear this I hope Zeke stays strong.
I would contact Vectishams about what she used to feed her diabetic ham. I don't have much knowledge but high protein food is good for them. The mix you linked does have mealworms in which would be good.

[shyimafadh]

living in malaysia its hard to buy all those stuff to test the diabetic level -.-"
i am worried for my little hamster ..haissshhh >.<

[Vectis Hamstery]

I'm sorry to hear about Zeke. The Burgess dwarf ingredients look ok as there is no sugar/dried fruit. I have used Harry without the sweetcorn and flakes, and a homemade mix of hempseed/flax/budgie tonic seed/mealworms/pinhead oatmeal. There is more information about diet changes for a diabetic hamster in a stickied thread in the health section and on my website (Diabetes in Hamsters - Vectis Hamstery)

ETA: shyimafadh, you may be able to buy the urine test strips at a pharmacy/chemist.

[laura]

purple x, sorry to hear your hamster has diabetes

there's a huge section on this here:

Is your hamster diabetic?

i've heard diabetic hamsters can live long lives given the right care though.

[Hamtastic]

Could this be re-stickied again? It's a great informative thread!

Someone linked this great PDF summary page on [HoneyHams] about diabetic hamster menu, and it has a very helpful photo of Harry/Hazel Hamster with the sugary ingredients identified:
Caring for Diabetic Dwarf Hamsters

As HH is such a popular food, chances are good many hybrids are on it. The yellow flakes and yellow kernels are corn, and the green flat flaky-looking things are smashed peas. Both should be removed for hamsters who are diabetic or very prone to developing diabetes.

[LuvinWifey]

I know this was posted in 2011 but thanks so much for keeping it up. I was wondering why my lil guy was drinking like water was air and his urine smelled funny I ordered the test strips today to test but thank you again and if there is any updated info I'll take it.