Russian dwarf hamsters can develop the disease at around 2-3 months old which is known as early onset, or they can become diabetic at around 7-10 months old which is known as late onset diabetes.
Symptoms of Diabetic Hamsters
Symptoms include over-exercising or lethargy and excessive drinking and eating yet losing weight. Diabetic hamsters are prone to developing cataracts which are seen as cloudiness in the pupil of the eye and they can be vulnerable to urine infections because they urinate very frequently.
Campbell’s Russian dwarf hamsters have proven to be very prone to diabetes, and it is recommended by hamster keepers that the hamster should not be fed any sugar or derivatives during the first 12 months of its life. Diabetes damages the hamster internally before symptoms appear.
Causes of Hamster Diabetes
Diabetes is caused by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to regulate the passing of glucose from blood to cells for growth. Glucose is excreted through the urine, the hamster needs more food for cell growth and eats and drinks more.
You can test your hamster for diabetes by using human test sticks. Put your hamster in a completely clean container and wait for it to urinate. If your hamster does have diabetes, then this will not take long. Compare the test stick to the chart. If your hamster is diabetic then you will need to change its diet to one that is high in fibre and low in fat and sugar.
Diet for a Diabetic Hamster
Scan the packaging of the hamster mix that you are feeding your hamster. Look out for words ending in ‘ose’ such as lactose, maltose, dextrose and fructose. Avoid corn syrup, molasses and honey including treats packaged for hamsters. Do not feed simple sugars in the form of complex carbohydrates such as rice, oats and pasta. Remove sunflower seeds and peas from the mix and do not feed anything containing saturated fat.
Gradually increase the amount of vegetables in your hamster’s diet so that it is around fifty per cent. Avoid carrots and peas which have simple sugars, but you can feed beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, dandelions – flowers and leaves, kale and watercress. Wash vegetables well and gradually increase the amount fed to your hamster.
A diabetic hamster will require more protein, so try scrambled egg (remove half the yolk), cold cooked chicken, turkey, or cooked lean minced beef (washed to remove as much fat as possible) and meal worms, which are available from your pet shop.
More Hints to Help Your Diabetic Dwarf Hamster
If the reading is very high on the test stick, your hamster may be dehydrated. You can use Pedialyte to rehydrate the hamster in a 50/50 mix with water. Change it daily in order to maintain effectiveness, but you can keep the mixture in the fridge for a few days. Vitamin drops will help prevent malnutrition.
Keep your hamster warm and make sure there is nothing in the cage to injure it. You may have to split a pair which fights to avoid any injuries from fighting. Regularly clean out the wet corner as black mould can develop which could cause your hamster harm. Keep an eye on your hamster’s teeth as it may be prone to gum disease and missing or misaligned teeth can also cause problems with hamsters.
Your diabetic hamster may not live as long as a healthy hamster, but following these tips will improve its life and may prolong it too.
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