Dark colored urine and having accidents suddenly - help!

[lynne2809]

Hi all. Tonight when checking on my rabbit (5 year old neutered male Lionhead), I noticed 3 piles of dried urine on the bed in the room where he is kept (he has the entire room to himself and he is the only rabbit). Two of the piles look like they could just be normal orange-colored rabbit urine, but the other looks like it is bloody in the center. He also NEVER has accidents anywhere, so this is very unusual for him. His litter box has normal poop in it from today (the litter box was changed this morning) and he isn't lethargic at all, but he isn't eating his treats tonight, which is also unlike him. Should I be concerned or do these things happen occasionally? Could it be a UTI/bladder issue, or something more serious like a tumor in the bladder? Also, should I be concerned about RHDV since there appears to be some blood in the urine? He is vaccinated and got his last RHDV vaccine on 4/27/2024 (9 months ago). Thanks in advance!

 

[JBun]

That does appear to be dried blood, and the beigish color of the dried urine can be a common indicator of a possible UTI. So yes, it's likely due to either a UTI and/or bladder sludge, as those are the most common causes, but that doesn't rule out other possibilities.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Urine

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bladder_sludge_and_stones

RHDV is more likely to cause other symptoms like severe lethargy, increased respiratory rate, and the bleeding is more likely to come from the nose/mouth, if the affected rabbit isn't just found suddenly passed away without any noticeable prior symptoms. To me this doesn't seem a likely cause for what signs your rabbit is showing.

I would suggest phoning your knowledgeable rabbit vet first thing tomorrow morning and getting an appointment, hopefully that day. Make sure to tell them about the blood, email them the pictures if needed, and tell them it is starting to affect your rabbits appetite. Especially if he stops eating his other food and drinking as well tonight, which is even a more critical emergency situation.

The good thing is that if you can get him on a rabbit safe antibiotic and possibly meloxicam for inflammation and discomfort, before this affects his appetite more and results in the start of GI stasis, then it is usually easily treated and starts to clear up in a couple days.

If he hasn't stopped eating other foods yet, and you don't have the stuff to start syringe feeding, you may want to ask your vet for the supplies and instruction just in case he does stop eating tomorrow, before treatment kicks in.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Medicating_your_rabbit

But if your rabbit suddenly worsens tonight and/or there's deterioration of consciousness, or significant bleeding, an emergency vet is likely needed immediately if you have access to one experienced with rabbits. Or if you are concerned in any way, consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet right away.

 

[lynne2809]

That does appear to be dried blood, and the beigish color of the dried urine can be a common indicator of a possible UTI. So yes, it's likely due to either a UTI and/or bladder sludge, as those are the most common causes, but that doesn't rule out other possibilities.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Urine

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bladder_sludge_and_stones

RHDV is more likely to cause other symptoms like severe lethargy, increased respiratory rate, and the bleeding is more likely to come from the nose/mouth, if the affected rabbit isn't just found suddenly passed away without any noticeable prior symptoms. To me this doesn't seem a likely cause for what signs your rabbit is showing.

I would suggest phoning your knowledgeable rabbit vet first thing tomorrow morning and getting an appointment, hopefully that day. Make sure to tell them about the blood, email them the pictures if needed, and tell them it is starting to affect your rabbits appetite. Especially if he stops eating his other food and drinking as well tonight, which is even a more critical emergency situation.

The good thing is that if you can get him on a rabbit safe antibiotic and possibly meloxicam for inflammation and discomfort, before this affects his appetite more and results in the start of GI stasis, then it is usually easily treated and starts to clear up in a couple days.

If he hasn't stopped eating other foods yet, and you don't have the stuff to start syringe feeding, you may want to ask your vet for the supplies and instruction just in case he does stop eating tomorrow, before treatment kicks in.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Medicating_your_rabbit

But if your rabbit suddenly worsens tonight and/or there's deterioration of consciousness, or significant bleeding, an emergency vet is likely needed immediately if you have access to one experienced with rabbits. Or if you are concerned in any way, consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet right away.

Thank you so much for your reply! he ended up eating his treats when I offered them again and he was eating some hay and acting normal. My plan is to see how he is in the morning and to see if there are any new spots of bloody urine anywhere in the morning. Hopefully it was just a one-time thing and it's nothing. I read that bladder tumors and cancers of the urinary system are not very common, especially since he is a neutered male, so the bloody urine wouldn't be caused by uterine cancer. He has never had any urinary issues, so I am hoping that this is nothing serious and he is back to normal tomorrow or it's something easily treatable and not serious! Overall he seems totally normal now.

 

[JBun]

Even if you don't see anymore spots of blood, I'd still urge you to get an appointment to have him checked by your vet. If the blood is truly coming from the urinary tract, any blood in the urine is abnormal and should be checked out, and that's a significant amount. A UTI or bladder sludge/stones is highly likely in my opinion, and if he does have this, it won't go away on it's own. It'll take the appropriate rabbit safe antibiotic, or possibly other treatment as well.