Water

suga · 10-20-2009, 11:41 AM

So Lilbear seems to have recovered from what ever it was that had affected her at the weekend. But i am left a little worried about the water drinking situation.

Can syrians being diabetic? or is it more likely to be kidney related. I think i need to go to the vet with her and will book an appointment in the meantime. She is not swollen around her tum or anything. Little concerned......here.

Bunsey · 10-20-2009, 12:02 PM

yes, Syrians can be diabetic. How old is she? they tend to drink a lot when they get old.

suga · 10-20-2009, 12:08 PM

She's 22 months ish. Her water bottle holds 60 oo (is what it says on the side) it will be quite empty in the morning - I will check to see what it says in the morning. I changed it this morning so i could see what she is getting through in 24 hours. I have not noticed any water or wet in the corner that the bottle sits above. So i don't think its dripping out etc.

Bunsey · 10-20-2009, 02:49 PM

is it one of the ones that says "hamster" on the side, like the regular kind that is sold in pets at home, wilkos etc? If so, that's a bit excessive.Even my old man Jake who drinks like a maniac doesn't get through one of those in a day.

How is the pee corner? is that really soaked too? If not then i'd say it's some other problem than with the hamster. If she's taking that much in that it has to come out. jake soaks a whole potty in a day.

suga · 10-20-2009, 11:22 PM

No it doesn't say hamster on the side.Its actually a small bottle about 8cm high by 4cm wide. I have looked and today in a 24 hour period she has drunk maybe a 1/4. Her wet corner is wet but not saturated yet. Another day and it will be. So does jake drink that much cos he is older or because he is poorly?

souffle · 10-21-2009, 03:22 AM

They do drink a lot more as they get older. It sounds like a mouse bottle you have and 1/4 that would not be an enormous amount for a hammy that age. It is more like to be weakening kidney function but diabetes is not impossible. It is not common in syrians though.

Bunsey · 10-21-2009, 05:37 AM

yeah, that sounds like the smaller kind that i use in my rodys. Jake has a big one, about 15cm and he probably drinks about a quarter of that in a day maybe. Can't say i've actually measured it, but he comes out for drinks all the time and sits there ages. He soaks his potty every day. There's nothing wrong with him, it's just his age and probably his kidneys getting weaker and no re-absorbing enough water for him so he has to ingest more. He's a rescue, so i don't know his exact age, but it's around 2yrs, based on his size and growth rate when he came here

suga · 10-21-2009, 10:02 AM

Thanks for the thoughts. She seems to be happy enough in her self. Last night she was showing me how to monkey bar! I think unless she deteriorates or appears to be "ill" i am going to let her be. She is using a small mouse type bottle, i have a think about cute little things..........