TOA
PAYOH VETS
Hi Doctor Sing,
Hope this email finds you well.
I've another dwarf hamster (1yr 7mths old, male). Recently, i noticed that his urine turns darker in colour. Last week, it was kind of orange and this week slightly better as you can see in the attached picture.
When I flip him over, i noticed that his fur around belly & bottom area have also turned yellow/orange from the urine stains which cannot be removed with water.
Despite so, his appetite & bowel movement remains normal just that his breathing/heart beat seems a lot faster even while he's asleep.
Appreciate your advice if this is normal in aging hamster or could it be sign of any illness that requires medical treatment.
Enclosed is the picture for your review.
Thank you for your time and hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards,
Name of lady owner
|
E-MAIL REPLY FROM
DR SING DATED JULY
29, 2011 Thank you for your email. It is very difficult to know what is the cause of the urine stains or change of colour unless a urine sample can be collected for urine analysis.  Your
picture of urine
colour shows some
orange or reddish
colour of urine as
well as yellowish
urine but no
diagnosis can be
made based on
colour. The urine
needs to be
collected and
analysed by the
laboratory. A change of urine colour may be due to a kidney disorder, urinary tract infection, urinary tract tumours, food colouring, traumatic injury (falling down from climbing cage) to the bladder and kidneys or other reasons. I advise 1. collecting a urine sample via a plastic bag or come to the Surgery for me to collect a urine sample. 2. Let me know how much water he is drinking. Is it more than normal? With best wishes. |