Urinalysis for my hamster

[ettetet]

Hello, sorry I have not done a proper introduction yet, but I have a big question. I suspect my hamster may have diabetes, as his pee looks normal, but he has recently been drinking and peeing a little more than usual, and I figure a urine test would not hurt. What do you need to keep sterile or mostly clean for a hamster urinalysis? I don't know if not keeping something sterile, like touching an eyedropper (to drop the urine onto the stick, if needed) or the carrier will skew the results or not. Is there also any basic information that is good to know for a first urinalysis? Thank you.

 

[Maz]

Hello. The main thing to test for would be sugar - and possibly protein. A sample wouldn’t need to be sterile for this. You just need some ketodiastix (pharmacies sell them / human ones). To dip into any sample. Or are you meaning a vet has asked for a sterile sample? To be honest I think it would be impossible to get a sterile sample from a hamster.

 

[Socks' Mum]

The closest you can get is to use a small bowl, like a pyrex bowl, wake hammy up and put him in the bowl, but if course he will contaminate the bowl a bit walking in it. You might still be able to get a sample that could be useful. I hope his treatment works and he gets well soon