Increased water intake / smelly pee?

[Molzy]

Hello all!

So, a quick background. Riley is a 4.5 year old neutered male rabbit, on a diet of unlimited oxbow timothy hay and 1/8 cup of Oxbow and Zupreem timothy-based pellets. His greens vary from week to week, especially this summer when I subscribed to a CSA and got lots of weird things for him to try . He is not overweight at all.

In the past 2 weeks, I feel like his water intake has increased (this could potentially be due to the fact that I finally got to shut of the AC and have the windows open, so possibly more is just evaporating into the air? It was really humid all summer here). I have also been noticing more of an odor from his pee, but that could be due to the fact that I had to buy the “fresh scent” yesterday’s news last week when I ran out (as in, I had cleaned out his litter box and had nothing to put in it, so had to use what is available in town).

Is increased water intake and smelly pee a symptom of anything? I am thinking it might just be a combination of events/greens I was feeding last week, but I am keeping a *very* close eye on him. His appetite and activity are totally normal. If it doesn’t seem to clear up a vet check will definitely be in order for him, but I also don’t want to rush him to the vet if it’s nothing.

Thanks!

Molly and Rilers

[Dee]

I’m not the most knowledgable person here by any means, but my bunny has had a UTI and bladder sludge, so we’ve been through some pee problems. I would watch him while he’s in the litter box. When my bunny, BunBun, had urinary issues, he would take forever to pee. He would lift his tail, go a bit, shift position, repeat, and so on. He would also strain and posture, sometimes twisting his body in pain. More suble signs when he wasn’t really bad but still not right- he would widen his eyes while peeing, or close them. A few times he’s gotten the hiccups whille going- I don;t know if this is anything because that happened when he was healthy. Oh yeah- he would also eat poops- not cecals- from the litter box (very attractive habit) and he would get an attitude, chewing on everything that wasn’t food in a fury. He would go into his cardboard box and just rip apart like a madman- I think he was uncomfortable but didn’t know what to do, being a bunny and all, so he just chomped on things to vent.
Appetite is also important- Bun never stopped eating with his sludge/UTI, but he wasn’t as enthuastic about things as usual. It sounds like Riley is eating fine and acting normal- that’s pretty reassuring. Also, the change of litter, turning off AC and humidity could be factors. Drinking more doesn’t sound like too big a deal as long as he’s not drinking for several minutes at a time every half hour or so and peeing huge amounts- that could be kidney problems, but he’s awfully young for that.
I think keeping a close eye on him is a good idea- but I could be wrong. I’m sure other, more experienced bunny people will give you advice on this . Wow, these bunnies are such a joy, but I don’t think I’ve worried about my human kids half as much as them! I hope Riley continues to act fine and that all is well .

[Molzy]

Thanks Dee!

I have been watching him to make sure he doesn’t seem uncomfortable. And interest in food has NEVER been an issue with him – he dances around whenever I even open the cabinet his food is kept in. You’d think I starve him the way he acts.

I’ll keep an eye on him and watch for any signs of pain. I do want to take him in for a check up in the nearish future, but my favorite vet is like 3 hours away and it’ll be awhile before I head that way. I’ve found a good vet down here for emergencies and stuff.

Thanks again!

[Sarita]

I agree with Dee. Another indication of a UTI would be peeing in places that he doesn’t usually pee because he is unable to make it to the litter box. I imagine as well the change in odor could be the litter and the fact that without the a/c on the air is not circulating throughout the room as routinely.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Hmmm yeah it does sound like it could be a UTI. I’d keep an eye and make a trip to the vet. Keep us posted!

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