Bladder Issue(s)?

Jenk · Jan 16, 2009

I fear that my one girl, Zoe, is producing less urine than is typical.

Shehas chronic megacolon issues. Right now, her fecal production is a bit decreased (for her), though her appetite/thirst are normal (for her). She eats primarily hay due to her sensitive gut issues; so she drinks a lot of water (about 300 mL/day).

The past few days', she's seemed a little uncomfy; I've twice given her Metacam and Phytomucil (designed to help an irritated gut), and I've stopped feeding her the small amount of parsley that I had been giving her. But I'm still less-than-impressed with herurine output,since she used to soak her litter box overnight but hasn't managed to produce that much urine the past few nights'.

My problem now is money; we've surprised thepoint of ridiculousness in terms of money spent on bun health issues. (And I'm due to bring in another bun for a follow-up x-ray anda skin biopsy thisupcoming Tuesday.)

CanI try sub-Qs at thispoint to better flush her system, since she's still producing urine? (The vet had suggested that I try a small amount of sub-Qs--about20 cc's /day--to see if it helps her to better pass her fecals.)

Jenk

naturestee · Jan 16, 2009

I find that Fey's urine output changes depending on the state of her gut. I wouldn't be concerned, really. Although it is a good idea to get more fluids in them when their gut is upset. Maybe give a second bowl of water and put a little flavoring in it? Flavored Pedialyte or vanilla flavoring are good low/no sugar things to add.

Jenk · Jan 16, 2009

naturestee wrote:

I find that Fey's urine output changes depending on the state of her gut.

It changes even if her water consumption is the same?

...It is a good idea to get more fluids in them when their gut is upset. Maybe give a second bowl of water and put a little flavoring in it?

She's drinking 300 mL of water per day, though.At this point, is it worthwhile getting more in her via mouth? Or does her body require something via sub-Qs? The vet didn't want me overdoing the sub-Qs, since my girl is still drinking a ton of water; that's why she suggested that I not exceed 20 cc's/day.

I can tell that she's uncomfy based on the way that she's been sitting/lying during her normal resting time.

naturestee · Jan 16, 2009

300 mLs sounds like plenty. But if she's willing to drink more, offer some flavored water. I wouldn't stress her with oral or sub-q fluids yet.

I've noticed it several times, where tummy pains make the buns pee less. I think there's maybe so much discomfort going on down there that they don't notice when they have a full bladder. I can relate as I'm the same way when I'm cramping. So she's probably just holding it longer.

dquesnel · Jan 16, 2009

It sounds like you think she may be retaining urine based on your post?

To retain urine, there needs to be some kind of blockage preventing the bladder from emptying. If her drinking is the same as before, but urine production seems less, I'd consider a few things:

- perhaps she is urinating in her hay or somewhere else;
- perhaps her organs are soaking up more of the water;
- perhaps she is drinking slightly less OR her urine is more concentrated

I wouldn't give a bun metacam if it only seemed a little uncomfy. Others may disagree, but the fact is that metacam can cause the GI system to slow down a bit (also causing urinary system to slow) and with regular use can cause ulcers. In any animal metacam causes decreased blood flow to the kidneys. Unless the rabbit is clearly in pain, and is not eating / behaving normal I don't give metcam. Even as a 'just in case'.

The metacam therefore may be the cause of the appearance of decreased urine in her box- it may not be hurting her, but is *may* be directly related.

I don't think you have to worry about sludge/calcium/urine retention from the sounds of it. If you feel her bladder, you can judge if it seems over extended or not. If she does have a bladder issue you may be seeing other signs, such as loss of ltterbox habits, sludge in the litterbox, urine dribbling rather than coming out in a stream. Keep us posted - And at this point I wouldn't be giving her more fluids, but I would take her off metacam.

Jenk · Jan 17, 2009

dquesnel wrote:

It sounds like you think she may be retaining urine based on your post?

To retain urine, there needs to be some kind of blockage preventing the bladder from emptying. If her drinking is the same as before, but urine production seems less, I'd consider a few things:

- perhaps she is urinating in her hay or somewhere else;
- perhaps her organs are soaking up more of the water;
- perhaps she is drinking slightly less OR her urine is more concentrated

She's not urinating elsewhere; I've checked and double-checked.

But she has started passing more urine in the past 12-16 hours'.

The metacam therefore may be the cause of the appearance of decreased urine in her box- it may not be hurting her, but is *may* be directly related.

Her urine output was decreased prior to me giving her Metacam. (I maybe noticed the urine issue 12-24 hours' before giving the drug, which I gave solely based upon her less-than-comfy resting position.) I've since stopped giving it, though. I've been encouraging her to move/binky quite a bit, as well as massaging her intestinal area.

I don't think you have to worry about sludge/calcium/urine retention from the sounds of it. If you feel her bladder, you can judge if it seems over extended or not. If she does have a bladder issue you may be seeing other signs, such as loss of ltterbox habits, sludge in the litterbox, urine dribbling rather than coming out in a stream. Keep us posted.

No, it couldn't be a sludge/calciumissue, since she's currently eating hay only (timothy with a little orchard grass and brome thrown in at times).

Sadly, I don't know how to feel the bladder. (I still have some trouble with the stomach, though I can follow the liver and cecum fairly well.

)

She has gone potty in some odd places over the past two months', or so, but her urine's always ranged from yellow- to rust-colored. Nothing that's been obviously blood-tinged or anything. And she doesn't seem to strain in her box. I'll just keep an eye on the usual: water/food input; fecal/urine output; general behavior. That's all I can do, no?