Both humans and animals pee, including rabbits. Just like humans, the color of rabbit’s urine determine their health. The rabbit’s urine may vary in color depending on the diet and hydration levels.
Some urines may turn red and it may indicate that there is blood in it. When there is blood in a rabbit’s urine, then something serious may happen to the body. Beware of these dangerous diseases of rabbit that will affect humans too.
Let’s talk a bit about the color of the rabbits’ urine. Normal rabbit urine can span anywhere from yellow to golden orange. Red, brown or even white urine are worth looking into and talking to your vet.
The real concern about it comes when you see any kind of small particles like sand or blood in the urine. The presence of these particles can be an indication of a larger health problems.
Then, let’s talk more about the presence of blood in the rabbit’s urine. Cases of bloody urine in rabbits turn into a serious case due to stones or sludge within the urinary tract, cystitis, uterine adenocarcinoma, polyps or abortion.
Rabbits which have blood in the urine may also show some symptoms, such as a slight tinge of red that is sometimes difficult to see, frequent urination, increased aggressiveness, lethargy, weight loss, depression, blood clots in the urine, difficulty in breathing and even urine scalding.
Again, if you notice these symptoms, bring your rabbit immediately to the vet for further treatment.
Causes of Blood in the Urine
Blood in the urine is also known as haematuria. There are several causes of haematuria in rabbits. Let’s explore the causes one by one.
- Diseases
The true cases of blood in the rabbit’s urine happen due to disease anywhere in the urogenital system. The unspayed female rabbit may show a bloody discharge from her vulva.
They may also show drops of blood after urination which could be confused with the urine. Either of these occurrences may be the sign of uterine cancer.
An un-neutered male rabbit could have genital cancer or trauma which lead to the presence of blood in the urine. If this happens, you should take your rabbit to see the vet immediately. Get to know more about whether spay neuter is safe for rabbit breeds.
- Calcium Stones or Sludge
Another cause of blood in rabbit’s urine is the presence of calcium stones or sludge anywhere in the urinary tract system, including the kidney, ureters, bladder or urethra. It can also be caused by cystitis, polyps or even abortion.
If your rabbit experiences one of these causes, then take your rabbit immediately to the vet. Most cases are painful to the rabbit and even life-threatening, so immediate treatment is needed.
Kidney or bladder stones are caused by a mechanical obstruction of the urinary tract. There are also some factors triggering this, such as diet or decreased water intake.
Keep in mind that diseases in rabbits can also cause them to lose weight. Regarding to weight loss, you can read it more in causes of rapid weight loss in rabbits. Weight loss in rabbits is a serious problem, so keep an eye on it.
- Bladder or Urinary Tract Infection
Many of us directly think about bladder or urinary tract infection when we see red urine. However, it may be as easy as we think. Spotting actual blood in the urine is difficult to do by naked eyes.
When it is due to kidney disease, straining to urinate may occur, but straining is the most common sign of urinary bladder disease.
A rabbit which strains to urinate may also happen because it sits for an unusually long period of time on the tip of toes of the back feet with the tail very high in the air. If you notice your rabbit is straining, then take it immediately to the vet.
Most of you may start to get worried once you notice that your rabbit pees red urine. However, remember red urine doesn’t always indicate bloody urine. It can also be caused by food (high in beta carotene, such as carrots, kale, spinach, etc.), antibiotics, stress, dehydration or abortion.
The best ways to prevent red or bloody urine in rabbits are by maintaining their dietary needs, supplying plenty of clean waters, and making sure that they are sterilized. Always keep an eye on any changes, both in the physical and temperament or behavior.
Make sure to control their diet as well, if you need an idea of rabbit’s diet, check these specific nutrition that should be included in rabbit food. Finally, also prevent these signs your rabbit is depressed.