Bladder stones in hamsters
Dear
friends, I would like to tell you about the health problem, which we had
recently - maybe our story will be useful to you, help you learn or be an inspiration to help animals in need.
One day I found my hamster’s urine full of blood. I was surprised and scared – I took my hamster into the plastic box to check if it was hematuria for sure. Hamster had problems with urination, and urine was full of blood and clots. He tried to urinate time after time, and he could expel just few drops at once. We went to the vet immediately. |
There were a few reasons of
hematuria that we considered:
The most common reason of hamsters' hematuria are bacterial infections and bladder inflammation, so we started antibiotic therapy - first of all we used Baytril (Enrofloxacinum) in injections (s.c). To reduce the bleeding we used Cyclonamine (Etamsylatum) in injections (i.m) and as an auxiliary we used Catosal (Butaphosphan 10% & Vitamin B12) in injections (s.c). Treatment with Baytril was continued for 5 days. Because the treatment did not yield satisfactory results we decided to perform cythological examination of urine. We found – of course – plenty of erythrocytes, but apart from them there were a lot of bacteria (cocci). Antibiotic was changed to oral sulfonamides - Bactrim (Sulfamethoxazolum, Trimethoprimum), and we also used Urinovet (Vaccinum macrocarpon, Petroselinum sativum, Glucosaminum), Cyclonamine (Etamsylatum) and Vitakon (Vitamin K). After two weeks of using Bactrim we decided to be more aggressive with the diagnostic process and treatment. We performed laboratory test of urine, test of urine sediment and the X-ray under inhalated anesthesia. The urine test (right) didn’t give us any answer. |
The
X-ray revealed the presence of a large stone in bladder
(>4mm). Surgery was planned for the next day.
Surgery was performed under inhalated anesthesia (doctor Tomasz Piasecki - very good vet; specialist in diseases of exotic animals and very good surgeon!) and done without any complications :) (There is a very big problem with finding an appropriate vet to do the surgery on such a small animal as the hamster, I know...) Removed bladder stone was very big and sharp – 6mm diameter (!!!) at the widest point. It is not surprising that it injured a bladder and caused pain… |
Hematuria was stopped two hours after surgery
and the urine started to be fine! :)
Drugs used at home, after surgery: Veraflox (Pradofloxacin), Metacam (Meloxicam), Actiferol (Ferric pyrophosphate) and Urinovet (Vaccinum macrocarpon, Petroselinum sativum, Glucosaminum).
Every day the hamster was getting better and better – he was (finally!) in an excellent mood and the surgical wound was healed without any complications :) One week after the surgery we went for check-up and the vet assured me that the hamster was cured :)
Drugs used at home, after surgery: Veraflox (Pradofloxacin), Metacam (Meloxicam), Actiferol (Ferric pyrophosphate) and Urinovet (Vaccinum macrocarpon, Petroselinum sativum, Glucosaminum).
Every day the hamster was getting better and better – he was (finally!) in an excellent mood and the surgical wound was healed without any complications :) One week after the surgery we went for check-up and the vet assured me that the hamster was cured :)
Urinary stones mostly arise due to improper
diet or too mineralized water. The center
of crystallization occurs in bladder and then further layers deposit one after another. The problem may occur with every hamster.
The first symptom is pain – which rodents often
cleverly hide; another symptom may be
blood in the urine (hematuria). Surgery of removing the bladder
stones in hamster is difficult and hardly
any doctor decide to take it because of the
small size of the pet... Removing of the stone solves
the problem, but a diet avoiding
excess mineral salts (especially carbonates and oxalates)
is recommended. Hamster after surgery is healthy - can make all activity, including
running, climbing, digging and reproduction.
Marta Jesariew (Podruczna)
Podrik Hamstery, Wrocław - Poland
Marta Jesariew (Podruczna)
Podrik Hamstery, Wrocław - Poland
Article was published in:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Copyright © All rights reserved
Copyright © All rights reserved