Fly problem:(

[melanieandlizzie]

Hey guys, I need your advice on this;

I cleaned Comet out last week and there was LOADS!! of teenie tiny flies in the corner that he wees in.

Obviously I thought that was rather shocking and gave his cage an extra good scrub with plenty of pet disinfectant.

But I just cleaned him out again and there was a few flies again :S

Nothing at all like last week, there were hundreds then, but I found a few today non the less.

I havent noticed these flies in my house though they just come out if you disturb the soggy wood chips.

Do you think seeing as I cleaned the tray thoroughly they could be living in Comets belly?

Do you think I should bin the cage and start again?

Btw I binned his bendy bridge incase they were living in there.

What to do??

[internet_nobody]

I've had this problem at the height of summer with diabetic campbells, the little flies were obviously attracted to the sugary urine. They won't be living in him, flies can't do that. All you can really do is spot clean the toilet corner daily as they are attracted to the damp bits.

[melanieandlizzie]

Hmmmm that would make sense he has started drinking a ridiculous amount of water recently.

I guess I need to get reading on care of diabetic hammys

thanks dude!

[internet_nobody]

Diabetes is very rare in syrians (sorry if he's not - just had a flick through your past posts and could only find a syrian!), so before assuming that's the problem i'd go to the vets.

[melanieandlizzie]

Yeah he is a Syrian, coming up to 2 years old....next month I think.

He is eating well, and really bright, just drinking alot (which I wasnt really worried about before) and now these flies.

[souffle]

It could be a urine infection or weak kidneys causing him to drink and wee a lot. The flies are likely be attracted to smelly urine. Try a fly mesh over the cage to stop them getting in to start with.
Definitly get him vet checked though I'd say as an antibiotic may just sort it out if it is an infection.

[melanieandlizzie]

I thought I would let you know how we got on....

I took Comet to the vet who asked me a whole bunch of questions and the vet said he thought he was diabetic.

He gave me those sticks to dip in the pee. But as yet I havent managed to catch Comet peeing.

I never thought I would wish Comet would pee more! lol

Then I have to call the vet with the outcome of the pee stick and go from there.

Thanks everyone xxx

[souffle]

I would try really hard to get that sample. He is gonna have to go and the best chance is to actually get him out is bed and put him straight into a clean plastic tub with nothing else in it. They are usually needing then and you should leave him in the tub till he wees then quickly dip the stick in. You can sometimes get them to wee in a large clean jar if you put it in his cage and watch him. They often crawl in and lift their tails. Hope you get your sample soon

[internet_nobody]

Just a note on diabetes in dwarf hamsters a respected breeder got from a German vet involved in making hamster food.

But from their vets tests done dwarf hamsters with a high sugar level would be expected to have a level of >1000mg/dl, whilst the average is between 50-160mg/dl.

Syrians could easily be a little different, but just thought it might help you get an idea of "background" so you don't panic if there is a low glucose reading as human test strips are not ideal for use on a desert animal but are the only practical method of testing!

[suga]

Souffle i would have never thought of that. But your right as they do eventually have to go. Hope you get your sample soon.