20 month old male syrian - wee smelling fishy

[s.wilson]

Over the last two-three days I've noticed that my boy's cage has started to smell quite fishy. It's gone from a faint smell on monday to very strong now. He's a 20 month old (definately) male Syrian and seems alright in himself beside the pong. He's drinking and eating normally, his poo seems normal, and when he's awake he's quite lively still but perhaps a little quieter than normal, but whether this is because he's not feeling well or if the time change or colder weather is slowing him down a little, I dont know.

At first I thought maybe the smell was the auboise substrate mixing with his wee and giving off a bad smell so I cleaned him out last night and when I went to put him back into his cage from his ball, I noticed he'd had a piddle inside of it and I think it's actually his wee that's smelling fishy rather than it mixing.

I did a little bit of research this afternoon and saw someone mention that while it can be quite normal for females, it can suggest some kind of kidney or urinary infection in males.

I've already called the vet this afternoon and have an appointment first thing in the morning but I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience males smelling fishy and what the outcome was for their hamster?

I'm rather attached to the little guy and am hoping all it'll be is something simple that a course of antibiotics can fix, but im always kinda preparing for the worst just incase because of how little he is.

[souffle]

It could be an infection though we do find that most hammies start to smell a lot more as they get older. The kidneys do weaken and they tend to drink and wee more and it smells stronger too. 20 months is middle aged to elderly but he could easily live much longer even if his kidneys are weaker. Was the wee still opaque and milky looking? It tends to look more watery when they have kidney failure as they do not concentrate it well.
He sounds to be doing well and nice and bright. If he does get antibiotics it is a good idea to also give a probiotic like Avipro or Pro C to replace his good bacteria that the meds kill off. (bit like our live yogurt!)
Hope he gets a clean bill of health tommorrow.

[s.wilson]

I couldnt see the wee in the ball im afraid, I think maybe it'd flown out as he's rolled about lol but there was a definate very strong smell eminating from it when I opened it up.

Fingers crossed it's just one of those things rather an infection or worse, kidney failure. He'd probably be more ill if it was kidney failure though, right? Like I say he seems pretty alright in himself. A little quieter maybe but he became quieter last winter too.

If he does get antibiotics, i'll ask whilst I'm there about the Avipro, thanks for the heads up.

Should I expect some tests tomorrow (blood, swabbing etc) or would the vet be able to tell by examining him and the symptoms? Never taken a hamster to the vets before (he's my first hamster) so not sure what to expect.

[souffle]

They don't usually do any tests to be honest and just diagnose on symptoms. Hammies have so little blood you can't get a test and there are few antibiotics that you can use with hams that they normally just treat straight away rather than expensive cultures so you will most likely get Baytril.
Chronic kidney failure is quite slow progressing and a reduced protein diet can help this. They normally appear quite fine with it. They only get really poorly in the end stages and can cope with quite reduced function for a good long while usually. Almost a normal life span
There is no treatment as such for kidney failure so it is best to not fret and enjoy the time while they are comfy and happy.
Let us know how he gets on.

[s.wilson]

okay thank you so much souffle, You've put me at ease a lot.

I'll post an update in the morning.

[s.wilson]

just got back. The vet thinks he does have an infection and couldnt feel anything sinister when she examined his belly so he has antibiotics and other than the infection, a full bill of health, plus it cost just under 12 pounds so relief all round.

He was such a good boy and put up with all the commotion and poking without fuss.