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Re: Diabetes of a fat sand rat :E
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Julian Barker
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Mar 15, 2005 12:06 PST
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In message <2004231169-14637-@boing.topica.com>,
ora-@sci.fi writes
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We have two fat sand rat brothers living in our household
(approximately six months old), and unfortunately one of them has
diabetes (tested with a glucose indicator stick). I find it hard to
believe it to be caused by diet, as the sick one eats quite sparingly
(his healthy brother is a bit obese, even), and the diet is quite low
in carbohydrates. We believe it to be inherited, as both of them, even
the otherwise healthy one, have cataract. (Or is it cataract? It is not
progressive but actually fluctuating in nature, the gray area covering
the whole eye one day and nearly vanished next day . Illumination or
time of day does not seem to have any impact. One of the eyes of the
diabetic one has had cataract since birth.)
The diabetic one is, exluding diabetes and cataract, in good condition.
He is fairly active, actually much more than he was when we got him
(when they were four months old). How should he be cared for? He's
quite calm whenever handled, but I doubt he will like insulin
injections. We wouldn't want to lose his confidence in us by poking him
daily.
One question is, if he gets the treatment, how will that affect his
life? As he has cataract in both eyes, could increased activity (isn't
that a usual cause of diabetes treatment?) become dangerous to him? Of
course we try to keep the terrarium safe and things in their usual
places, but we'd hate to get rid of all the activities they have there.
Well, myriads of thanks for all the answers. Hope I dit everything
right (as this is the first time I'm posting anything).
-Timo Jokela
(from Finland)
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Fat sand rats are a naturally diabetic animal. Their natural diet
consists almost entirely of here is info on keeping them here -salt bush
and contains no sugars. They are a species of gerbil only suitable for a
specialist as keeping them without them developing diabetes involves
daily weighing of the animals and their food intake, and special care
with the amount of salt in their diet.
Click on Fat sand Rat on the left of this page
http://www.gerbilsuk.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.htm for detailed info on
diet and maintenance of this difficult to keep animal.
--
Julian
jul-@gerbils.co.uk
National Gerbil Society
http://www.gerbils.co.uk/
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