Any Ideas on recently Incontinent Bun?

Teasal is 9. He has had calcium/sludge for several years now and has it expressed regularly (monthly). Diet/weight/exercise are not the issue (believe me . . .).

He has had an undercurrent of infections which have been treated with Septrin when they arise.

Last month he got really bunged up and started retaining urine, and also got an infection - His bladder was also identified as being 'atonic' (ie lacking in muscle and 'shape') due to all the constant build ups. So a decision was made to express several times within a couple of weeks to try and get back to a 'normal' bladder. He was also given Septrin again.

All seemed well at first and his wee seemed clearer and also better quantities.

But in the last week has has become pretty much incontinent. He wees all over the place and then sits in it - and as they are quite large wees now (as no calcium in bladder) this is getting very messy .

The urine is always a much darker orange than the rabbit he lives with (ie that has same diet).

I am a bit at a loss as to what to try next . . and I feel the two vets who treat him (both very experienced) are also at a loss. Unsure if the incontinence is due to change in tone or loss of feeling or another hidden issue.

Anyone any ideas at all?? I have considered Pilates for Bunny bladders but do not know whether it is the problem or not, or how on earth to try such a 'regime'!.

IDEAS MUCH APPRECIATED!

PS he was treated for EC at Xmas time in our 'normal' cycle of treatment (28 days).

Don't know if its any help but Timmy had nerve damage to his bladder, but that caused it to swell and not empty properly with small leaks rather than huge wees.

Another Elderly bunny became incontinent due to severe arthritis of the spine putting pressure on her bladder.

Will try to have another think as just passing by between litter trays at the moment :lol:

It's a long time since I read anything on the subject (I had a 9 yo bun with a similar problem but that was about 3 years ago)...I seem to remember in FHB's book she says that if a rabbit has trouble excreting calcium, the bladder and/or kidneys will gradually calcify until they can no longer function properly.

Hope this isn't the case with your boy though.

I would guess that his kidney's are now effected
Has he had a blood test recently to check his kidney function ?

Jack's-Jane said:

I would guess that his kidney's are now effected
Has he had a blood test recently to check his kidney function ?

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No . . in fact not sure he ever has done. Would that cause incontinence?

parsnipbun said:

No . . in fact not sure he ever has done. Would that cause incontinence?

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It can do, yes.

Or perhaps he has some bladder atony ?

Has the dark urine been tested for the presence of blood ?

He was diagnosed as 'atony' a couple of weeks ago - hence the effort to get his bladder emptied for a few days running to hope tone will come back (see comment about Bunny Bladder Pilates).

Do you know if this might be the cause? and if so will it mend?????

He is a free ranging housebunny and its getting rather difficult (especially as we have two lodgers). I get up at 6am to mop up but not in house some days so later accidents go unmopped.

Also worried about flystrike come summer as he has allergy to Rearguard.

Is there a cure for atony??

parsnipbun said:

Is there a cure for atony??

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I had success using propalin syrup for one of mine, but it's usually used in females. It works by tightening the sphincter muscle

abbymarysmokey said:

I had success using propalin syrup for one of mine, but it's usually used in females. It works by tightening the sphincter muscle

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Sounds worth a try (if its ok with sludge buns). Will ask vet about it later! Thanks.

Jack's-Jane said:

Has the dark urine been tested for the presence of blood ?

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PS no blood

My vet contacted the manufacturers of propalin when we had major problems with Otto. They said that because the causes of incontinence in a rabbit are so different to that in a dog or cat that they thought it would have little effect, but they also said it probably wouldn't do any harm either. Another problem they mentioned is that there have been no trials of the drug on rabbits so that was another reason for them not knowing the exact effects it could have on a bunny.

abbymarysmokey said:

I had success using propalin syrup for one of mine, but it's usually used in females. It works by tightening the sphincter muscle

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Same here only on a Buck xx

Jack's-Jane said:

Same here only on a Buck xx

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any idea of dosage? I am guessing my vets have never used it on buns. Was it C that used it and if so do you think she would mind if my vets need to contact?