kansas
09-17-2006, 08:51 PM
Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) are prone to diabetes. It is thought to be a genetically inherited disorder, although one hamster autopsied by a vet the UK thought it was possibly secondary to a virus that destroyed pancreatic cells. But since it is thought to be genetic, all responsible dwarf hamster breeders test their stock for diabetes. Most of us test using home urine test strips for ketones and glucose. My question is: How accurate are urine test strips meant for humans going to be in hamster urine? Hamsters concentrate their urine much more than people do - wouldn't this affect the reading (giving a falsely high result)? If not, why not? If so, what are some other methods to test for diabetic hamsters? Most vets don't deal with pocket pets, and even when they consent to treat them, many don't even know the healthy blood glucose level for a dwarf hamster. What are our options?