Red Urine vs Bloody Urine

Me and one of my bunny friend has recently discussed about this topic, red urine. From my own experience and some of new breeder/ pets owner experience, one would tend to feel worry when the first time they encounter this with their bunnies. I am not exceptional as well. I can still remember that i bring my rabbit to vet for more than 3 times just because of this red urine. It would be good to share with each of us just to educate and enlighten us when we face this with our bunnies.

What is red urine? You may see that your bunnies having urine in red/ dark red colour. This is mostly what we call a red urine. Red urine is very COMMON and will not bring any harm to the health of the rabbit while BLOODY urine is very very rare and can be very serious. Below are some extract of the article on this red vs bloody urine issue:

Red urine is caused by a plant pigment. You will see the rabbit's urine in colour from normal pale yellow to dark yellow, carrot orange, brown or bright/ dark red. The bunny will normally return to normal state after few days/ weeks. Even when all the rabbits eating and drinking the same menu of foods everyday, red urine may occur only to few of them (due to excessive urinary pigments) and not to other. Some of the reason that lead to red urine are:

• While on antibiotics
  
• Cold due to sudden change of weather (tremendous change)
• After eating food that contain beta Carotena like carrots, spinach, veggies, etc

While red urine is not dangerous to rabbit, bloody urine IS! Bloody urine can occur due to disease anywhere in the urogenital system. An unspayed female rabbit might show a bloody discharge from her vulva, or drops of blood after urination, which could be confused with urine. Either of these occurrences could be a sign of uterine cancer. An unneutered male rabbit could have genital cancer or trauma which could cause blood to appear in his urine. BLOOD IN THE URINE (HEMATURIA) When we see red urine, most of us worry about a bladder or urinary tract infection. However, actual blood in the urine is usually DIFFICULT TO SEE with the naked eye.

The next question you may ask is then how could i know if this is red urine or bloddy urine? No choice, you will have to monitor your rabbits closely to see if your rabbit need unusually long period of time on the tip toes of the back feet, with the tail very high in the air before he/she can pass urine, this may also be some kidney deseace. Close monitoring is required then to ensure that he is producing urine. If he may only produce a drop or two of urine at a time because of the frequency with which he is attempting to urine. There may be a blockage on its urinary track, immediate vet treatment is necessary.

Last but not least, you must make sure that your rabbit is eating and drinking well EVERYDAY, not only during the above period. If its not, do take immediate action.

I hope the above can give more information to everyone who read this on the red urine vs bloody urine.


~With love we breed~
www.bberryrabbitry.com

The above is only meant for information sharing and shall carry no liability. Judgement is required from your own before any application.

What to do when your bunny is not eating??

One of the main problem face by rabbit owner is when their bunny stop eating out of a sudden. This can be due to various reason like stress, hot weather, heavy travelling, etc. Most of us will ask, what to do if they are not eating? First and foremost, check their water if they are drinking. Change to fresh water (cold one if the place is too hot) and monitor them. If they are not drinking, they are not eating. If this does not work, force feed them  with water using syringe is neccessary.

If they are drinking, they should be better. However, if they stil not eating (any hay or pellet), in that case, some steps need to be taken. Below are some of the methods suggested by some breeder in US and for my own experience as well :)

1. Sweet potatoe cutted into small chunk (do works for some rabbit), old fashion oatmeal (rolled oat), shredded wheat or nutridrop. Try those, the rabbit should eat at least one of those when offered. However, the quantity of offer should be small and the poo should be monitor closely (just in case any diarhea or wet poo).  

2. good green grass hay. Fresh greenish grass hay is good in smell and can be offer to trigger their appettie


3. green carrot tops, romain lettuce and parsley too helped. However, this shall be in small quantity again (preferrably organic too to avoid the chemicals!). 


4. Some US breeder also suggested banana as one of the favourite treats for Netherland Dwarf, Holland Lop and other rabbit.


5. oral electrolyte supplement may helps especialy when they are not drinking...you mix it in warm water so it's a watery paste and then give it to him by syringe, he would eat it on his own after that. it's a nutritional supplemnt and slows fluid loss. 


6. oxbo crittal care oat hay works well too


7. For my own, this is always what i do. I keep it simple - rehydration (by force feeding water) and Nutridrop 3x daily, via syringe. Nutrdrop is high in nutrients and also stimulates appetite. Excercise & tummy masages gently also help.


For all the above, it is not suggested to do all or few methods in one time. That will mess up the tummy more. Take one measure that you think best suite you at one time. And one very very important note to take is to monitor their poo, no matter which method you taking. Make sure that the poo doesnt not turn wet/ diarhea. However, no poo at all is also a very bad sign. 


Hope everyone's bunnies can always stay healthy!!! My favourite pass time is always to watch my Netherland Dwarfs, Holland Lops jumping and binky!! Thats the fun of having them, man!

B Berry Rabbitry

www.bberryrabbitry.com

~With love we breed~

All the above are only meant for information sharing and shall not bear any liability.