Help there is something weird growing in my hamster's cage!!

[Quincygirl]

I think my campbell, Mr. Sneaker, has diabetes. He has been drinking a lot of water and when he urinates it turns everything white. Now there is this weird blackish blueish mold growing on the bedding. I change his cage once a week and this mold still keeps popping up! What is it? Is it related to his diabetes?

[Emma]

If he has diabetes, he has a high sugar level in his urine making it more attractive for fungus to grow on - it's most likely aspergillus fungus, which is everywhere. It can cause health problems occasionally, so I'd advise you to clean his cage more often - his toilet area should ideally be cleaned daily.



Have you read the sticky thread about how to deal with diabetes?

[littlemissdwarfhamster]

I had to clean my diabetic campbells every other day as she urinated so much. In the end I found it easier to do a half clean daily, that way the cage still kept her scent and she didnt have the upheaval of a full clean every two days.

[Quincygirl]

Oh no! Thanks for letting me know. I'm going to bleach his cage. I have an extra one. Maybe I should just throw his away and put him in my extra cage. How dangerous is this fungus to humans? His cage is in my room. I practically sleep right next to him!



I haven't read the forum on diabetes, but I'm going to right now! My last hamster die of diabetes. It was very tragic to watch her suffer like that!

[babyboos]

Oh it does not sound good, this fungus is often one of the first signs people pick up on when their little one has diabetes. If you are not yet a member I recommend joining the Yahoo Group Honeyhams they are great at providing support (not that we aren't ) but also aware of all new advancements in care of diabetic hamsters.