Wet Butt and Extra Thirsty?

[Rachel Anne]

Hi everyone. My Ernie is 4 years old and in the last couple weeks has been drinking a TON of water. He used to drink a bottle in three days and now he’s drinking a bottle a day. At first I thought he was just hot but he hasn’t done this even when it’s been hotter in the past. He’s obviously peeing a lot more too and his bottom is often a little bit wet. Other than the increased drinking and peeing, he has not been lethargic (in fact he’s actually more energetic than usual) and he has a healthy appetite (actually hungrier than normal–he chases me around the house hoping for treats and lettuce in a way he never has before). Because he’s peeing so rapidly and often, I have noticed tiny little flies around his litter box, which really worries me. I clean it as frequently as I can and try to kill all the flies I can, but as soon as I clean it he pees again and I can’t keep it clean long enough for the flies to lose interest or just officially disappear. I took him to the vet today and they sent me home with the tools for a urine test. In the meantime, does anyone have an idea of what’s going on? I’m a little worried he might have worms that are making him so much hungrier? Any feedback would be very appreciated!

Thanks, 

Rachel

[sarahthegemini]

I would have suggested getting his urine checked so it’s good you’re already on the ball for that! Has his amount of veggies decreased or changed at all? I know my buns drink tons more w/o veggies.

[Deleted User]

I don’t have any suggestions on the medical side. But where are the flies coming from? I hope that doesn’t seem like a silly question. Regardless of the amount he’s peeing etc I’d be very concerned about getting rid of the flies. Is he outdoors? If so could you move him indoors? I wouldn’t be comfortable with flies constantly hanging around my rabbit.

[Wick & Fable]

Anything dental-wise different? Wick’s appetite does not change when his teeth bother him, but he drinks more, leading to lots of peeing. It could be soothing to an irritation in the mouth.

For the flies, try putting a fly trap above the litter box. I don’t know how frequent or quickly it occurs, but there is a possibility of fly strike when flies are around that area. I’m not experienced and not knowledgeable of the subject, but keep a look out and do your best to eliminate those flies!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Rachel Anne]

Thank you all for the responses. I think the flies are coming from the garbage in the kitchen–we’ve been having a problem with them this summer and they made their way to my bedroom (where Ernie’s cage is). They’re tiny–about the size of fruit flies–but still a concern to me. The vet didn’t say anything about them when she examined him this morning, so I’m guessing she didn’t see any in his fur, but I completely forgot to mention them when I was there. She also said his teeth looked okay–I asked if maybe he was drinking to soothe his mouth. I guess he has been eating more hay recently, maybe that could be what’s making him so thirsty? I’ve never taken a urine sample from a bunny before. Wish me luck! Any advice on the subject is much appreciated

[DanaNM]

Posted By Rachel Anne on 8/24/2017 10:21 PM

Thank you all for the responses. I think the flies are coming from the garbage in the kitchen–we’ve been having a problem with them this summer and they made their way to my bedroom (where Ernie’s cage is). They’re tiny–about the size of fruit flies–but still a concern to me. The vet didn’t say anything about them when she examined him this morning, so I’m guessing she didn’t see any in his fur, but I completely forgot to mention them when I was there. She also said his teeth looked okay–I asked if maybe he was drinking to soothe his mouth. I guess he has been eating more hay recently, maybe that could be what’s making him so thirsty? I’ve never taken a urine sample from a bunny before. Wish me luck! Any advice on the subject is much appreciated

How much urine do you need to collect? I know whenever I clean litter boxes, if I’m not quick enough about it, someone will pee on the floor in the spot where the box sits…. so if you just need a little bit, maybe that could work. 

You could also try using wire mesh with a layer of hay on top in the box, with no bedding, so the pee would just go into the pan and not be absorbed. Might even work with just hay and no mesh. 

I’m surprised that the flies are going for the urine…. until you get it sorted out you should clean the litter box more frequently. What type of bedding do you use? 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Rachel Anne]

Thanks–that’s good advice. I’ll try it. I use newspaper with a little yesterday’s news on top. I have been checking his bottom for flies and haven’t found any yet. I hope I’m looking thoroughly enough–it’s so furry that it’s hard to get a really close look. How closely do you need to look? Especially difficult on a bun who does not want to sit still…

[Rachel Anne]

Another thing I want to add is that whenever he lies down these days he’s trembling. Mostly noticeable in his ears. I’ve seen this from time to time before but now it’s much more regular. Should I be worried?

[DanaNM]

Teeth grinding could cause the ears to tremble… is he sitting in a loaf shape, or more lounging with his legs out behind him? 

Maybe it is a dental issue? I think someone else already suggested that as a cause for drinking more water. An x-ray of the back molars might be needed to check for spurs in the way back. 

You said he’s begging for treats and lettuce more, maybe he’s eating less hay because his teeth hurt, so he’s hungrier for other stuff? Have you noticed a decrease in hay consumption? 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Rachel Anne]

Thank you for your response. He’s actually been eating more hay? I can’t make heads or tails of it. The doc said his teeth looked fine. When his ears tremble he’s relaxed and lounging–does that mean his teeth are grinding with relaxed pleasure? Fingers crossed that that’s it.

[Rachel Anne]

Thank you for your response. He’s actually been eating more hay? I can’t make heads or tails of it. The doc said his teeth looked fine. When his ears tremble he’s relaxed and lounging–does that mean his teeth are grinding with relaxed pleasure? Fingers crossed that that’s it.

[DanaNM]

Eating more hay can cause them to drink more water too!

Sometimes when my buns are lounging or sleeping, they have happy mouth movements, and their ears can tremble a little. Whenever I’ve seen a bun grinding in pain, they sit kind of hunched, in a more compact loaf shape, they often squint their eyes, and you can actually see their little jaw going. The first time I saw it, it was very recognizable. If you aren’t quite sure, check out the rest of his body language.

If the urine sample doesn’t show anything, the last thing to try would be a blood test, and if that doesn’t show anything, then he’s prob just extra thirsty from drinking so much hay.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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