Electrolyte solution recipe

[daisy]

There used to be a recipe for an electrolyte solution recommended on Hamster Hideout. Does anyone happen to remember what it was?

[Kikya]

Hey Daisy,

The one I use is
1/4 teaspoon of salt (level)
1 teaspoon of sugar (level)
1 cup of water (240ml)

I boil two cups of water, use one cup to sterilize the mixing cup and spoon. Then I use the other cup to mix with the sugar and salt, mix, then let cool down to wrist warm temp.

[daisy]

Hey Daisy,

The one I use is
1/4 teaspoon of salt (level)
1 teaspoon of sugar (level)
1 cup of water (240ml)

I boil two cups of water, use one cup to sterilize the mixing cup and spoon. Then I use the other cup to mix with the sugar and salt, mix, then let cool down to wrist warm temp.

Thank you!

[SweetHammies]

Is the sugar added just for taste or for carbs too? Could a dwarf hamster, being more prone to diabetes, benefit from a sugar substitute like a monk fruit extract?

Here is a quote from an EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings scientific opinion. Worth noting that the study uses a high dose and 90 days is a big term to keep rehydrating a hamster.

In the 90-day dietary rat study with monk fruit extract-52%, mogroside V effect on the liver and testis weight was observed. Whether the liver effects could be interpreted as an adaptive response and were not considered to be adverse, the decrease in testis weight (absolute and relative to brain) was associated with histopathological findings and therefore the adversity of these effects cannot be ruled out by the Panel.

An earlier shorter-term 28-day rat study also cited in the above opinion did not find adverse effects on testes:

Statistically significant changes in clinical chemistry (decreased bilirubin, increased total protein) and relative organ weights of liver, adrenals, ovaries and/or testes, and epididymides were not correlated with any histopathological findings and were not considered adverse.

[Kikya]

Is the sugar added just for taste or for carbs too? Could a dwarf hamster, being more prone to diabetes, benefit from a sugar substitute like a monk fruit extract?

Here is a quote from an EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings scientific opinion. Worth noting that the study uses a high dose and 90 days is a big term to keep rehydrating a hamster.

In the 90-day dietary rat study with monk fruit extract-52%, mogroside V effect on the liver and testis weight was observed. Whether the liver effects could be interpreted as an adaptive response and were not considered to be adverse, the decrease in testis weight (absolute and relative to brain) was associated with histopathological findings and therefore the adversity of these effects cannot be ruled out by the Panel.

An earlier shorter-term 28-day rat study also cited in the above opinion did not find adverse effects on testes:

Statistically significant changes in clinical chemistry (decreased bilirubin, increased total protein) and relative organ weights of liver, adrenals, ovaries and/or testes, and epididymides were not correlated with any histopathological findings and were not considered adverse.

I would not recommend changing the recipe with sugar substitutes. The sugar isn't just for the quick energy but also to help your cells take up the water, which is the purpose of the hydration solution. I don't know that a glycoside like monk fruit extract would have the same effect and I wouldn't risk it for a sick hamster.

[Kikya]

Full Directions from the Hamster Health Check Guide:

How to check for dehydration
Dehydration can be very dangerous for all mammals, especially hamsters. To check for dehydration, gently pull up a bit of skin from the back of the neck. Normally, it will snap back into place quickly when you let go. A dehydrated hamster’s skin will go back into place slowly, the more dehydrated, the slower the skin will return to normal. Count the seconds it takes for the skin to snap back to place. Normally, it will be less than a second. If you hamster is dehydrated, he will need medical attention or at home intervention.

Rehydration Solution
1/4 teaspoon of salt (level)
1 teaspoon of sugar (level)
1 cup of water (240ml)

Directions
Boil two cups of water, use one cup to sterilize the mixing cup and spoon. Then use the other cup to mix with the sugar and salt, mix, then let cool down to wrist warm temp. Put a drop of water on your wrist, it should be the same temperature. Suck up some of the liquid with a 1ml syringe. Give a few drops at a time, on the side of the mouth angled downward towards the tongue. Let the hamster swallow between drops. Once the hamster has take in about .1-.3 ml for a dwarf and about .5- 1.0 ml for Syrians, give them a rest for about 15 minutes, and repeat the dehydration check. If still dehydrated, give some more rehydration solution a few drops at a time then repeat the rest and the dehydration check. Hamsters will generally drink 10ml per 100g of body weight per day. (i.e a 50 gram dwarf will drink about 5 mls a day) Don't exceed that amount unless instructed to do so by a vet. Write down of how much liquid the hamster has taken in.

You can also use unflavored pedialyte or children's rehydration solution, if you have that in your country, instead of making your own.

This is good for emergency dehydration and should not be given unless your hamster is dehydrated. If you are using this solution, it's very likely your hamster needs a vet visit.