Odd peeing behavior… I think

[Dee]

Hi Everyone,

I’ve noticed that one of my buns has pretty orange-reddish pee lately, and also that “somebody ” (presumabley one of the buns- lol) has been peeing in corners of the kitchen occasionally. Nelli has always been a bit naughty with her peeing habits, so I assumed it was her, but figured it was just Nelli being herself.

Today I was watching her in the litterbox, and as she was peeing her head was kinda twitching/jerking up and down, a rather subtle motion but enough that I noticed it. Is this considered straining? Or do other people’s buns do this also? Nelli is so wild still, she spends most of her days hiding in remote areas of the house, so I worry about her getting sick and me not noticing. What do you all think?

 

[KytKattin]

I would say that a trip to the vets is in order for a possible urinary tract infection. I don’t know for sure, but the signs do sound like this could be it. Someone with more experience would be able to tell you for sure.

[RabbitPam]

The reddish color in urine is a common occurance in bunnies, and if it were that alone I would say don’t worry. But I don’t like the sound of the head bobbing. I think it would be a good idea to get an appointment with the vet. If you can soak up the colored urine with a paper towel and bag it for the vet to see it may help if she needs a test sample. Does she need any general vet work, like nails trimmed or teeth examined? It may make it worth while to combine the visit while you’re there.

[jerseygirl]

Could she be sensitive to something in the litter box? Agree, the head movements may need to be looked into. When rabbits pee outside litter box, it can indicate an illness….but not completely sure if only urinary type issue – could be ailing from something else that cause loss of habits. Peeing in corners of kitchen I am familiar with! Hard to discern behavioural or health related – I know!

[MooBunnay]

Did the peeing in the corner of the kitchen just start up again recently? Or had it been occurring off and on for awhile? A sudden change in litterbox habits can indicate if a bunny is having urinary problems, or trouble peeing. The head bobbing also sounds odd to me. Its probably hard to catch her in the act of peeing in the litterbox, but if it is something that seems to continue I would be concerned. Also, have you changed anything in Nelli’s diet that may have lead to the change in pee color? Because that is another thing that I would expect to be fairly consistent, but it can be easily affected with dietary changes. Has she been doing anything else out of the ordinary?

[Dee]

Thanks, everyone. I will watch her tonight so I can see if she does it again, then tomorrow I’ll call the vet. I just had the buns in to the vet’s for their pedicures last week- figures, huh? My kids do that too- they get sick or injured a week before or after their yearly physicals, so I hafta make 2 trips. It’s not as bad with them though, since I don’t need to chase them around the house and wrestle them into a carrier to get them in the car. I can’t imagine how the vet would get Nelli to cooperate with any kind of exam. She is known at the vet’s office for being a wildwoman, justfrom getting her nails done.
I always worry about Ludicris/BunBun gtting a UTI since he’s a boy- but here I am worrying about Nelli. I’ll let you all know how it goes. Thanks for the advice!

[MooBunnay]

Good luck on your stake out at the litterbox Hopefully it was just a one time thing.

[Dee]

Hey, thanks everyone- sorry for my disappearance. Work got crazy for a few days, plus the kids being outta school… it’s endless. Nelli seems fine- of course she REFUSES to use the litter box in front of me. She will sit in it, poop, eat hay- but no peeing that I’ve noticed. Her behavior is normal for her, anyway- she hides most of the day, then comes out at night to play with Ludicris/BunBun and tear around the house doing binkies. I love sleeping on the couch cuz it’s cool in the living room with the woods behind us, and at least once a night I’m awaked by Nelli’s big wild eyes staring into mine, her easr flopping on my face and her whiskers snuffling away. Or better yet, suddenly there’s a furry, clawed monster on my face or chest, scratching around for a foothold- in my sleep, I’ve learned to launch the bunnies safely from on top of me to the back of the couch. I think Nelli feels that I’m approachable while I’m asleep, so she investigates. She won’t sleep with me like BunBun, but at least she says hi in her own special way- lol.
Anyway- I can go on about my bunnies, huh? I think that the fact that Nell isn’t showing any more symptoms is a good thing. I’m guessing if she had an infection she would be pretty miserable by now, and wouldn’t seem so relaxed in the litter box. She’s been pretty good about not peeing in corners too. I think I just kinda pinicked cuz I know with cats, well male cats, they can die of a UTI within 24 hours.
Thanks again for all the helpful advice!

[Author]

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