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Old 09-25-2021, 03:25 PM   #1
Tiffanyh
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: North east, England
Posts: 29
Default UTI relief?

Hi,

I noticed there seemed to be blood in my hamsters urine so I think he may have a UTI. He has an appointment with the exotic vet but it's not for another 3 days, he is currently on metacam until he can be seen but I read that yoghurt or unsweetned cranberry juice can help to relieve it a bit until he can be seen ?

I was just wondering if anyone has tried it and if it did help?

I hate seeing him in pain but I can't get him seen to any sooner, any tips to help him until then would be greatly appreciated!
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Old 09-26-2021, 02:33 AM   #2
Ria P
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: UTI relief?

Metacam is an effective painkiller and anti inflammatory which should help any discomfort or pain he may have.

Do you think that he is still in pain even though he's on Metacam? Are his ears down all the time or does he look hunched? Is he eating and drinking?

Yoghurt or probiotics wouldn't help an infection. Some people give them along with antibiotics to help the gut.
I would stay clear of cranberry juice or any other kind of fruit juices. In my opinion, these juices have too many preservatives and can be quite acidic.
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Old 09-26-2021, 05:38 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: UTI relief?

Agree. Cranberry juice is too acidic for hamsters as well. Even some humans have problems with cranberry juice. What works for humans isn’t always appropriate for hamsters. Probiotic yoghurt also doesn’t contain the correct probiotics for hamsters (I did some research on this) so it wouldn’t do anything and hamsters can’t process dairy foods well so not that good for them. There are some hamster specific probiotics you can get like Benebac or Dr S from rat rations, but I don’t think it would help with a uti - but would do no harm.

So sorry your hamster has this and it is worrying having to wait. I have also had to wait for an appointment with an exotic vet - when you want something ASAP. In my case I saw a general vet straight away and started antibiotics. But still a wait for a proper diagnosis from exotic vet. (He has an eye problem).

I would just keep giving the Metacam until you get to see the vet but your hammy will probably be given baytril (antibiotic) in case it is a UTI to see if it improves. If it doesn’t improve they will then think about what else it could be. It’s usually trial and error with hamsters.

What you can do meanwhile is start preparing for how to give the baytril. It tastes nasty and food often doesn’t disguise the taste and it’s important they get the full dose regularly so an infection doesn’t worsen and become resistant to the antibiotic.

I’m using meaty beef country hunter dog food- after a tip on here. Works every time. Just a tiny pea sized amount with the baytril mixed in. Because if they can take it in food it’s less stressful for a sick hammy than having to be held and have it squirted into their mouths (and some will spit it out again). It works out a bit expensive wasting most of the pouch of dog food (a pouch does 3 days if kept in the fridge). Pets at home sell it though. Others have used runny honey drawn into the syringe after the baytril - which could work if your hamster will lick from a syringe. Our first Syrian wouldn’t- batted the syringe away.

You could try some other meaty cat food or something but if it doesn’t disguise the taste they won’t eat it.

I use a separate tiny plate to put the pea sized amount on (from a dolls house set!) but a jar lid would work too. That way you can see it’s all gone and licked clean

Pets at home has it quite cheap. A box like this costs about £20 on Amazon!

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...food-6-x-150g#
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Old 09-26-2021, 06:45 AM   #4
Tiffanyh
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: North east, England
Posts: 29
Default Re: UTI relief?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
Metacam is an effective painkiller and anti inflammatory which should help any discomfort or pain he may have.

Do you think that he is still in pain even though he's on Metacam? Are his ears down all the time or does he look hunched? Is he eating and drinking?

Yoghurt or probiotics wouldn't help an infection. Some people give them along with antibiotics to help the gut.
I would stay clear of cranberry juice or any other kind of fruit juices. In my opinion, these juices have too many preservatives and can be quite acidic.
Yeah his ears are down and he's hunched sometimes. He is eating and drinking but only small amounts, nibbles on some fruit or foraging food. He wasn't eating or drinking anything until he was on metacam so it is helping a bit, it's just I've noticed went he goes for a wee he seems to making a noise as though he's in pain while he's going.

Thanks for your advice, I'll not give him any in case and hope he's okay till he can get seen
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Old 09-26-2021, 07:00 AM   #5
Tiffanyh
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: North east, England
Posts: 29
Default Re: UTI relief?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Agree. Cranberry juice is too acidic for hamsters as well. Even some humans have problems with cranberry juice. What works for humans isn’t always appropriate for hamsters. Probiotic yoghurt also doesn’t contain the correct probiotics for hamsters (I did some research on this) so it wouldn’t do anything and hamsters can’t process dairy foods well so not that good for them. There are some hamster specific probiotics you can get like Benebac or Dr S from rat rations, but I don’t think it would help with a uti - but would do no harm.

So sorry your hamster has this and it is worrying having to wait. I have also had to wait for an appointment with an exotic vet - when you want something ASAP. In my case I saw a general vet straight away and started antibiotics. But still a wait for a proper diagnosis from exotic vet. (He has an eye problem).

I would just keep giving the Metacam until you get to see the vet but your hammy will probably be given baytril (antibiotic) in case it is a UTI to see if it improves. If it doesn’t improve they will then think about what else it could be. It’s usually trial and error with hamsters.

What you can do meanwhile is start preparing for how to give the baytril. It tastes nasty and food often doesn’t disguise the taste and it’s important they get the full dose regularly so an infection doesn’t worsen and become resistant to the antibiotic.

I’m using meaty beef country hunter dog food- after a tip on here. Works every time. Just a tiny pea sized amount with the baytril mixed in. Because if they can take it in food it’s less stressful for a sick hammy than having to be held and have it squirted into their mouths (and some will spit it out again). It works out a bit expensive wasting most of the pouch of dog food (a pouch does 3 days if kept in the fridge). Pets at home sell it though. Others have used runny honey drawn into the syringe after the baytril - which could work if your hamster will lick from a syringe. Our first Syrian wouldn’t- batted the syringe away.

You could try some other meaty cat food or something but if it doesn’t disguise the taste they won’t eat it.

I use a separate tiny plate to put the pea sized amount on (from a dolls house set!) but a jar lid would work too. That way you can see it’s all gone and licked clean

Pets at home has it quite cheap. A box like this costs about £20 on Amazon!

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...food-6-x-150g#
Thanks for letting me know! I read on another hamster website that people were giving it to their hamster to help.

I would take him to the vet tomorrow but he's at the exotic vet the day after and he has enough metacam that'll last till then, so may as well just wait until then. I'm just glad he's eating a drinking a bit more since being on it so I'm not as worried if he wasn't, I just feel awful for him.

He's really good at taking the metacam from the syringe but the vet did tell me it's supposed to taste nice
I'll try that tip if he doesn't take it straight from the syrine, I have a dog so any food that doesn't get used he can just eat, so it won't be a total waste hopefully lol
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Old 09-26-2021, 09:01 AM   #6
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: UTI relief?

Metacam tastes sweet apparently and several of my hamster have been and are on it longterm. My dwarf will happily get up for his daily dose and laps it up straight from the syringe.

My late Syrian had also been peeing blood and the only way i was able to give him the bitter tasting Baytril was by drawing it up first followed by a little of undiluted Ribena so he'd get the taste of the Ribena first and then the Baytril. He was not one to be tempted by food so the syringe was the only sure way.
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Old 09-26-2021, 10:36 AM   #7
Tiffanyh
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: North east, England
Posts: 29
Default Re: UTI relief?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
Metacam tastes sweet apparently and several of my hamster have been and are on it longterm. My dwarf will happily get up for his daily dose and laps it up straight from the syringe.

My late Syrian had also been peeing blood and the only way i was able to give him the bitter tasting Baytril was by drawing it up first followed by a little of undiluted Ribena so he'd get the taste of the Ribena first and then the Baytril. He was not one to be tempted by food so the syringe was the only sure way.
Thanks! I'll give that a try if he doesn't take it by food, he's a good eater so I'm hoping he'll take it that way.
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