522. A hamster's orange urine - ageing or illness?

E-MAIL REPLY TO DR SING DATED JULY 29, 2011
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.

With best wishes.