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Old 05-15-2021, 02:13 AM   #1
Sara H
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 95
Default Stronger urine smell

Winnie is a robo and she is nearly two years old.

I don't know if I am being paranoid but I seem to be noticing the smell of her urine more when she is on her wheels. She does not seem to be drinking more, is active and eating. I have checked her cage today and there isn't anything worrying in her bedding when I spot cleaned it. She was a rescue hammie and hasn't really ever liked to be handled but I did pick her up this morning to check her and everything seemed find.

It is not a problem at all for me to take her to see a vet however, I really don't like to put them through any vet trips if I can help it. My vet does do video calls these days but I am not sure how well they can advise via video.

Has anyone had anything similar?
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Old 05-15-2021, 06:07 AM   #2
Ria P
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
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Default Re: Stronger urine smell

I think that you may be able to test her urine with keto sticks you can buy online.

You'd need to put her in a small plastic box and wait till she's wee'd then take her out and test her urine with a stick which then shows the result by comparing it to a chart.

I've tested a dwarf for diabetes that way but i think that it would also show up a uti.
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Old 05-20-2021, 04:18 AM   #3
Sara H
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Join Date: Dec 2018
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Default Re: Stronger urine smell

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
I think that you may be able to test her urine with keto sticks you can buy online.

You'd need to put her in a small plastic box and wait till she's wee'd then take her out and test her urine with a stick which then shows the result by comparing it to a chart.

I've tested a dwarf for diabetes that way but i think that it would also show up a uti.
I didn't about that and I do have some of those sticks already so I will give it a try. Thank you.
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Old 05-20-2021, 06:17 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Stronger urine smell

I think when they’re older their pee is stronger smelling personally. Also there is more of it to smell. Their kidneys don’t function as well when they get older and they tend to drink more and pee more. You could try adding a litter tray with sand in. Robos tend to pee anywhere but ours used a small litter tray when I put it inside a large-ish dark house. Then you just have to empty it once or twice a week. Although they still pee in their wheels.

Good idea to test for diabetes. I think the pee usually smells different if they have diabetes. A sweetish smell - but maybe not always.
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Old 05-23-2021, 10:24 AM   #5
Sara H
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Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 95
Default Re: Stronger urine smell

Thank you Serendipity.

I did a spot clean today and noticed a tiny amount of blood on the bedding which was bright red in colour so I checked her underneath and I’ve added a photo. I got an emergency appointment at the vets but unfortunately it wasn’t a vet that specialises in exotics with it being Sunday.

She seemed to think it wasn’t a uti as the bloody looked like it had some from her lady bits rather than in her urine. She also seemed to think there might be a lump close by which she could be biting and this is where the blood is coming from.

Winnie is still acting normally, eating, sleeping and exercising. She was on her wheels last night as she got annoyed I had over tightened her silent runner and couldn’t get it going. I know hamsters are very good at hiding pain though.

The vet has given me some metacam to give her twice a day and I have another appointment on Thursday with an exotics vet. As I mentioned before she’s a look but don’t touch hamster and doesn’t really like any other food apart from her seeds and a little bit of cucumber or broccoli. I need to give her 0.015mls of metacam with food and usually I just would put the medicine straight into their mouths so I know they are taking it all but making sure they eat is a nightmare.

Does anyone have any advice please, it would really help.
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File Type: jpg Winnie.jpg (7.9 KB, 15 views)
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Old 05-23-2021, 02:42 PM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Stronger urine smell

I hope the exotic vet can give some answers. Something doesn't look right. Female hamsters can get pyometra and the treatment for that is either antibiotics or spaying - I'm sure your vet can advise x
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Old 05-23-2021, 03:23 PM   #7
Sara H
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Join Date: Dec 2018
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Default Re: Stronger urine smell

I was reading about that on here and it sounds very similar. I’m going to ring them tomorrow as I don’t want to wait until Thursday. I did ask about antibiotics but she just gave me pain killers. I wouldn’t want her to go through an operation at she’s nearly two and super tiny, I wouldn’t want to put her through that. X
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Old 05-23-2021, 04:45 PM   #8
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Stronger urine smell

Yes at two years old it could be a bit much for her. I think the main thing is get a diagnosis and take it from there. But if it's not a urine infection it could be pyometra - or something else, but blood does need a diagnosis as to the cause. You don't think she could have injured herself on something?
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Old 05-24-2021, 12:01 AM   #9
Sara H
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Join Date: Dec 2018
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Default Re: Stronger urine smell

I don’t think so. She’s in a maxi multi Duna, one level and no platforms. I do check all her tunnels when I spot clean and couldn’t find anything sharp.
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Old 05-24-2021, 02:26 AM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Stronger urine smell

It's hard to see from the photo as it comes out quite small I hope the vet can help.
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