5 year old (trained) bun has started peeing in wrong places

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 8sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 10 months ago by RabbitPam.

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- 05/13/2009 at 1:23 AM
  nomis
  Participant
  4 posts
  I have two buns, one female is 5 and the male is over 6 now. They are house trained and have been litter trained for most of their lives. They have free roam of the large kitchen 24/7 and when we are home they get the living room and the garden too.
  
  The female about a month or so ago started peeing next to the bin (usually they use a litter tray, which is in a large covered cage. The cage has no door and is always open as a safe place to hide.). I tried getting a second litter tray and putting it next to the bin, so they she started going over by the door.
  
  Its got to the point now where there are several spots she will pee. What is worse is that she’s wet underneath from sitting in it, so Im having to clean her.
  
  The vet checked her out, took blood samples and ran about 12 different tests (diabetities, cancer etc) but nothing came up. The only thing they didnt seem to consider was an infection, though the bun seems not to be in pain as such.
  
  Im running out of things to do and I loath to have to get an outdoor hutch but its getting to the point where my house mate, myself (and the kitchen floor!) are losing patience, so that’s where things are headed if I cant solve this. It seems a shame as the boy is so well behaved and spends so much time playing with us of his own choosing.
- 05/13/2009 at 1:41 AM
  MimzMum
  Participant
  8029 posts
  It sounds like a urinary tract infection or even bladder sludge to me. Maybe just incontinence due to age? I am surprised the vet didn’t check for infection…I assume this is one who is knowledgeable in treating rabbits? (not all vets are)
  It would be a shame to separate the two bunnies if you have to confine her to a hutch. I am sure one of the forum leaders (more savvy than I) will be along to assist with this post.
  Curious though, has there been any change in the bunny’s diet recently? Daily habits besides the urinating? Has anything changed in yoru house that would cause her to suddenly mark territory? (also is she spayed?)
- 05/13/2009 at 1:51 AM
  nomis
  Participant
  4 posts
  She has been speyed for years.
  
  Diet has not changed much, I think around the time we saw the vet I realsied she maybe was getting less of her regular fresh stuff (apples, greens, etc) so I’ve tried to make sure they get those more regularly.
  
  She is eating less than she used to, but she is still eating.
  
  Nothing else has changed really, nothing obvious anyway. We still spend time with them every day. My house mate often sits on the floor when watching telly so they have constant access to his attention in the evenings.
  
  I guess a return trip to the vets may be in order. I am concerned about the state of her fur around her rear. It seems once it gets too messy she is unable to maintain it herself (and soo then has to get the shower treatment, making me public enemy number one )
- 05/13/2009 at 1:54 AM
  nomis
  Participant
  4 posts
  I do not get the impression she is marking though….
- 05/13/2009 at 4:16 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Yeah, when it’s deliberate marking they can be very precise – pee and flee, not sit in it. I’m erring on the side of possible illness also. Hopefully something easily treatable.
- 05/13/2009 at 5:45 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I would definitely consider bladder sludge or a urinary tract infection. Another possibility is mobility – perhaps she is getting arthritis and has trouble hopping into the litter box – those have all been the cases with my rabbits (over 6 years old) that have suddenly had litter box issues.
- 05/13/2009 at 5:56 AM
  nomis
  Participant
  4 posts
  I’ve booked her into the vet for tomorrow morning.
  
  She’s very able to jump up on the sofa when I have something she would like to eat…..
- 05/16/2009 at 12:19 AM
  MimzMum
  Participant
  8029 posts
  Just checking in to see if there’s an update? How did the vet visit go?
  
  (((((healing vibes)))))))
- 05/17/2009 at 4:01 AM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  Me, too. What did the vet say?
  Hope she’s better.
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