Protein in rabbit urine

[Nattybun]

A few months ago my 3 year old neutered bun had a bad sludgy urine, I took a sample to the vets to be tested they said he had bacteria and calcium crystals. He was put on a course of Bytril, metacam and an antacid. After he completed his courses it started getting better then it reoccurred so she put him on a further course. After completed both courses and changing his diet to low calcium veg it cleared up. I’ve been testing my rabbits urine with medical test strips, its showing positive for protein. I’ve discussed this with my vets but have been advised that it “probably doesn’t mean anything” . I’ve been looking around to try and find some info all I can find is an old thread on another forum where the rabbit was diagnosed with kidney disease after a positive reading in urine. The little fella is doing well, he’s eating, drinking and doing lots of binkying and normal urine and poops.
I’m currently trying to find a new vets but there doesn’t seem to be any rabbit savvy ones about, but I’ll keep trying.
Has anyone had any experience with this, I would be most grateful for any advice.

[Deleted User]

I think that proteinuria does indicate a decline in kidney function. (at least in humans) I am not a medical professional.

The thing about using the home test strips is that it may not really be accurate? Is it one of those that are resulted by comparing the color of the strip to other, similar colors? Perhaps your judgment of the strip is wrong.

I don’t think that you would really see physical manifestations of this, but again I am not a medical professional. Perhaps you could bring bun back to the vet, since he has had some kidney issues in the past.

[Deleted User]

Do you trust your vet? If she told you not to worry, it may be nothing.

I was just thinking, and I honestly don’t know if it’s something normal for rabbits or not.

The are different than us in other ways (make their own vitamin C, excrete excess calcium in urine) so I am not sure if they have some other mechanism for protein as well.

[Nattybun]

Hi
Thanks for the reply, I don’t really trust them to be honest. They don’t see many rabbits and she seems to look a lot up when we’re in consultation with her. The only thing is she’s great handling him (he hates being handled).
The test strips are very accurate they’re the same ones I use at work (hospital). I only started using them now and again to check there was no blood in his urine. When it come up as the highest reading I got quite worried. I was reading a thread on another site the vet gave the owner some test strips with the same reading and it was diagnosed with kidney disease hard to otherwise detect as it was asymptotic. But I’ll have a good look around tomorrow and make some calls and try find good vets. Thanks for your help.

[Deleted User]

Ah, that changes things. I know it’s hard to trust someone when it comes to your fluff! I agree with the plan completely, try and find an experienced vet to take him to. Hopefully there’s some other explanation. Good luck!

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