Urinary Problem?- Vet apt. this a.m.

[LittlePuffyTail]

So, as you know, Stormy has lost weight and is being less active. For the past, probably month or so, theres been pee puddles pretty much every day, at least once a day, right beside his litterbox. I didnt worry because Ive seen him use the litterbox in a weird way. He sits on it backwards with his butt over the edge so the pee shoots outside the litterbox. The pee has always been in the same place so I figured thats just the way he likes to use his box sometimes.

 The last couple of days, however, Ive been noticing pee in his hay. Last night, he was laying in his hay and I picked him up and he was covered in pee. He was laying in it. I cleaned him off. This morning hes dry and theres no pee outside the box.

Theres no sludge or particles in his pee and it looks clear and normal. No urine dribbles or wetness around his legs and tail (other than last night). His bloodwork showed his kidneys are functioning normally. Has been drinking more lately but its been incredibly humid this last week.

We have an apt. for his dental check on the 24th. My vet is on vacation until then. Should I wait until then or see if another non-rabbit vet at the clinic can see him this week?

He also worried me last night because at run time he just laid around and didnt feel like doing anything. Hes still eating and begging for treats like my old Stormy.

 

[Sarita]

It’s possible. But now I am also wondering about possible arthritis at his age. If it were me, I would wait to have the rabbit specialist see him. Just write up all your possibilities and present them to her.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Okay, thanks. Thats what I will do.

I just cleaned up some pee, right outside the potty and I guess his pee is more brownish than it normally is. Kind of like an orange-brown colour.

If it is a UTI or something else infected, would waiting a week more or so to see the specialist be a big deal? I dont want it to progress too much but I would def much prefer seeing the rabbit vet.

Arthritis would make sense, I guess with regards to him choosing to use his potty in a different position. And explains the lack of activity. Is it common for buns to lose weight when they have arthritis? Ive never dealt with arthritis in any of my animals before.

[Malp_15]

I would think it will be fine to wait until you can see your normal vet, as long as he isn’t getting worse. With most people I would recommend going in right away, but your an awesome mom and you’ll be attentive enough to notice the small changes in him.

As to the arthritis, he may be losing some of his muscle mass..? That would mean some weight loss.

[jerseygirl]

Does he like lying in his litter box or doing that more lately?

Might want to ask vet to look for bladder sludge or stones. Some can feel it by palpatating.

<3 to Stormy.

[jerseygirl]

Does he drink from bowl or bottle?

[BinkyBunny]

Have you noticed Stormy sitting differently? Jack had both arthritis and a bladder stone, and each of those things made him sit kind of funny at times.
When he had the stone, he would just sit upright sometimes–sitting very still. We used to call it the “chocolate bunny pose” before we knew what he was dealing with, later I learned that that pose meant a some discomfort.

With the arthritis, he would sit in a way that would take the pressure off certain areas — he’d lean back on his back feet more with his front paws resting on his back feet. I think depending on where the arthritis is the most, a bunny may find their own unique post for comfort. With arthritis, they could lose some muscle mass as they are not as active.

How old is Stormy now? (I looked at your profile to see 7 years old, but I wasn’t sure when that was last updated) 

[LittlePuffyTail]

There hasnt been as much out of box pee lately. A little puddle beside the box this morning but no more hay pee since I last posted.

Jersey- no, he never lays in his litter box and he drinks from a bowl.

BB- I dont notice him sitting differently just laying more. Before he would very rarely lounge out, most of his rest time was spent loafing. Now he often lays lounging but with his head usually upright.

Stormy just turned 8.

Thanks for your replies everyone. Im going to make a list of my concerns to discuss with the vet on Tuesday when I bring him in for his dental check. Im so very worried about him going under. Im gonna be a very stressed out Momma waiting by the phone on Tuesday.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Bringing my little man in this morning for his dental. Im so very worried. Please offer him some ((((Easy procedure))))) Vibes! Gonna have to try and keep really busy today so I dont worry myself into a frenzy. Spending time with my horse is usually the best thing to do, keeps my mind off him being at the vet.

Have a list of concerns to discuss with my vet about both Stormy and Bindi. I think, right now, Im actually more worried about Bindis weight. Hes way too bony and its just alarming and upsetting petting him and picking him up. Will probably be making an apt. for him later this week or next. There goes the bank account…Why cant my bunnies be healthy? Just for a little while…

[Sarita]

Vibes for Stormy – let us know what the vet says.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Stormy and I just got home. Had a long talk with the vet this morning. I mentioned to her that for the past couple of weeks, a few times a week hes been having odd shapped, very sticky poos and she was concerned about that. She opted to do xrays today instead of doing his teeth. Shes just not convinced its his teeth and neither am I. She had a good look in his mouth with the otoscope and didnt see anything. So he stayed there all morning and she did tummy and head Xrays. They didnt show anything that she could detect except that he has arthritis in his vertebrae. Shes sending them to a radiologist for further readings. She wants me to bring a sample of the next sticky poos he has. And she started him on Benebac. She suggested I increase pellets to 1TBSP for both Stormy and Bindi and see if that helps them gain weight.

I was relieved not to have to put him under but I really hope having to check his teeth wont come up again and Ill have wished wed gone through with it. I trust my vet and did what she suggested.

Sarita, I know you have experience with arthritis, what can I do to make him more comfortable in his old age. Is there anything that will slow the progression?

[Sarita]

The gooey poops may be the result of him not being as able to eat his cecals since he’s not as mobile with the onset of arthritis. My arthritic and old rabbits all seem to have this problem with loss of mobility.

Binkybunny now sells the Oxbow Joint Health Supplements – I would suggest trying those.

Putting him under anesthesia should not be a problem if his bloodwork came back with no problems – Toffee has been going under anesthesia for the past 6 months, which I don’t like really but cannot help. She’s going on 10 years old now.

[Author]

Messages