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Smudge's continuing urine issues :(

smudgiebun

smudgiebun

Alpha Buck
Our 3 year old bunny Smudge has had problems with a wet bum since November now :( In the first 6 months she had a few courses of Baytril, which helped her while she was on it, and for a short time after, but the wet bum always came back in between courses.

She had x-rays which came back fine (no sludge), and blood tests which didn't show anything abnormal. EC was tested and it was negative.

However she is still having problems. Her bum is now constantly wet, and she is now on a new antibiotic, Septrin Paediatric Suspension. Her bum isn't clearing up this time! She's been on it 4 days now.

The vet has also put her on a course of Lapizole "just incase". Although I thought a negative EC result would = definitely no EC?

We have started her on some new food called Vetcare Plus Urinary Tract Health Formula.

The vet says the next steps may be an unconscious x-ray (do not want :cry:) so they can inject dye or something?? I kinda stopped listening after hearing that it was unconscious to be honest as it scared me. Apparently this would also be the easiest way they can get a sample for urinalysis, which I think might be useful at this stage? Is there any other way to get a sample from a female rabbit??

He did suggest going to see a specialist if the treatments they were providing didn't work.

I just feel like we're fighting a mystery illness here and it's so upsetting seeing her wet bum every day :( Other than that she seems a very happy little bun.

Has anyone had any experience with any of these symptoms, where the cause was unknown??
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the bump :D

I actually witnessed an unusual pee last night, she backed herself into a corner as usual, lifted her tail up, but then bounced her bum up and down a couple times. It looked a bit odd :? I've never seen a rabbit do that while peeing before!

She's back at the vet next week so will mention that to him too.
 
Hi Emmzie, I actually just replied to your PM before I realised you'd posted here :lol:

We're wondering if we should perhaps give her a bum bath to get her completely clean so she can have a "fresh start"?

Her fur down there is getting curly and a bit matted and it's constantly dirty even when it's dry :(
 
Yes!! Same as my bunny! I tried to comb most of it last night and I got most of it out but still a hell if a lot more and not comfortable for him at all. I don't know if its best for the vet to shave him when I go in today then have a fresh start and treat him with Vaseline on his urine burns! :( god this is so puzzling :(
 
smudgiebun said:
Our 3 year old bunny Smudge has had problems with a wet bum since November now :( In the first 6 months she had a few courses of Baytril, which helped her while she was on it, and for a short time after, but the wet bum always came back in between courses.

She had x-rays which came back fine (no sludge), and blood tests which didn't show anything abnormal. EC was tested and it was negative.

However she is still having problems. Her bum is now constantly wet, and she is now on a new antibiotic, Septrin Paediatric Suspension. Her bum isn't clearing up this time! She's been on it 4 days now.

The vet has also put her on a course of Lapizole "just incase". Although I thought a negative EC result would = definitely no EC?

We have started her on some new food called Vetcare Plus Urinary Tract Health Formula.

The vet says the next steps may be an unconscious x-ray (do not want :cry:) so they can inject dye or something?? I kinda stopped listening after hearing that it was unconscious to be honest as it scared me. Apparently this would also be the easiest way they can get a sample for urinalysis, which I think might be useful at this stage? Is there any other way to get a sample from a female rabbit??

He did suggest going to see a specialist if the treatments they were providing didn't work.

I just feel like we're fighting a mystery illness here and it's so upsetting seeing her wet bum every day :( Other than that she seems a very happy little bun.

Has anyone had any experience with any of these symptoms, where the cause was unknown??
Click to expand...

Just an update on smudge and looking for any advice please if possible? (i'm smudgiebun's so)

We've had smudge on Septrin and after a few days it did clear up but after the 2 week course as soon as it stopped a day later she had wet behind again.

The vet agreed to extend the course for another 2 weeks and it cleared very quickly and for most of august she's had a dry behind.

Smudge has a couple of days left of Septrin but yesterday her wet behind came back and its pretty bad all around her tail is wet aswell as the back of her back legs - so we are off to the vets again today.

other than her wet-behind she is pretty happy binkying/eating well etc.

The VET say they are unable to get a urine sample but alot of other owners who have made post on this forum it seams to be the first thing done?

We live in Stockport area does anyone know any Rabbit savvy vets we could use that might be more helpful?

We both really do not want to go down the route of antithetic because of the risks involved without other options or even a urine sample being taken.
 
Last edited:
chewiebun said:
Just an update on smudge and looking for any advice please if possible? (i'm smudgiebun's so)

We've had smudge on Septrin and after a few days it did clear up but after the 2 week course as soon as it stopped a day later she had wet behind again.

The vet agreed to extend the course for another 2 weeks and it cleared very quickly and for most of august she's had a dry behind.

Smudge has a couple of days left of Septrin but yesterday her wet behind came back and its pretty bad all around her tail is wet aswell as the back of her back legs - so we are off to the vets again today.

other than her wet-behind she is pretty happy binkying/eating well etc.

The VET say they are unable to get a urine sample but alot of other owners who have made post on this forum it seams to be the first thing done?

We live in Stockport area does anyone know any Rabbit savvy vets we could use that might be more helpful?

We both really do not want to go down the route of antithetic because of the risks involved without other options or even a urine sample being taken.
Click to expand...

Hi there

Sorry to hear this is still a problem. As you know I had the same problem with Fudge. Urine sample came back find, neutered him, was put on antibiotics then I decided I look for a rabbit savvy vet who did a blood test and he was saying how bizarre the results are the lab actually had to ring the vet to confirm the type of animal. Rabbits should have approx 8 billion white blood cells, Fudge had 34 billion which indicated leukaemia which was heart breaking. Even though he seemed happy and I could of kept him. I decided to put him down as I didn't want to see him get poorly.

So I understand the frustration but I would if thought most vets would do a urine test. Even the vet I went to first did. Very odd. I'm not from your area so I wouldn't be sure but I find it strange that they won't do one for you :/


~ Emmzie x
 
Emmzie said:
Hi there

Sorry to hear this is still a problem. As you know I had the same problem with Fudge. Urine sample came back find, neutered him, was put on antibiotics then I decided I look for a rabbit savvy vet who did a blood test and he was saying how bizarre the results are the lab actually had to ring the vet to confirm the type of animal. Rabbits should have approx 8 billion white blood cells, Fudge had 34 billion which indicated leukaemia which was heart breaking. Even though he seemed happy and I could of kept him. I decided to put him down as I didn't want to see him get poorly.

So I understand the frustration but I would if thought most vets would do a urine test. Even the vet I went to first did. Very odd. I'm not from your area so I wouldn't be sure but I find it strange that they won't do one for you :/


~ Emmzie x
Click to expand...

Sorry about Fudge.

We did think it could be Leukaemia so the Vet did a blood test which came back clear but showed signs of an infection.

She's had this since November 2012 and has been to the VET pretty much once a month and its gradually gotten worse in the sense her behind has gotten wetter and wetter and the wetness comes back quicker the moment she stops antibiotics.
 
Last edited:
chewiebun said:
Just an update on smudge and looking for any advice please if possible? (i'm smudgiebun's so)

We've had smudge on Septrin and after a few days it did clear up but after the 2 week course as soon as it stopped a day later she had wet behind again.

The vet agreed to extend the course for another 2 weeks and it cleared very quickly and for most of august she's had a dry behind.

Smudge has a couple of days left of Septrin but yesterday her wet behind came back and its pretty bad all around her tail is wet aswell as the back of her back legs - so we are off to the vets again today.

other than her wet-behind she is pretty happy binkying/eating well etc.

The VET say they are unable to get a urine sample but alot of other owners who have made post on this forum it seams to be the first thing done?

We live in Stockport area does anyone know any Rabbit savvy vets we could use that might be more helpful?

We both really do not want to go down the route of antithetic because of the risks involved without other options or even a urine sample being taken.
Click to expand...

ashleigh vets whalley range :wave:
 
chewiebun said:
Sorry about Fudge.

We did think it could be Leukaemia so the Vet did a blood test which came back clear but showed signs of an infection.

She's had this since November 2012 and has been to the VET pretty much once a month and its gradually gotten worse in the sense her behind has gotten wetter and wetter and the wetness comes back quicker the moment she stops antibiotics.
Click to expand...

It must be soooo frustrating for you. I'm sure someone can recommend a vet and hopefully get it sorted. Keep us updated :)


~ Emmzie x
 
Back from the vet now. This rabbit is a little mystery! :(

She peed at the vets and he said her urine was VERY dilute, almost like water. It doesn't "look" like there is an infection. She is going to have a urine sample directly via her bladder, and an ultrasound to check kidneys.

Just don't know what it could be :( He brought up diabetes insipidus as a possibility.

I don't think it can be kidney failure as she had bloods done and her kidneys were OK.

Just don't know what the heck this could be :(
 
I'm really worried now as I've been reading taking a sample directly from the bladder while the rabbit is conscious is very risky :cry: I know the other methods aren't as sterile, but how important is that, does anyone know??
 
smudgiebun said:
Back from the vet now. This rabbit is a little mystery! :(

She peed at the vets and he said her urine was VERY dilute, almost like water. It doesn't "look" like there is an infection. She is going to have a urine sample directly via her bladder, and an ultrasound to check kidneys.

Just don't know what it could be :( He brought up diabetes insipidus as a possibility.

I don't think it can be kidney failure as she had bloods done and her kidneys were OK.

Just don't know what the heck this could be :(
Click to expand...

This is what happened with Fudge his urine was fine but very diluted! Even his blood was diluted! But if you've had blood tests then I don't know what to suggest!

Why can't rabbits talk it would be so much easier!


~ Emmzie x
 
Smudge has actually been dry since she went to the vet on Friday!! :shock: All he did was express her bladder! Keeping fingers crossed.
 
did the vets check for any signs of arthritis? this can cause the rabbit to not have full control over their toiletting, so they can't hold the tail up properly to urinate for example, so become wet underneath. arthritis can affect the back and spine aswell, making it harder to keep clean and toilet.

i would really recommend going to ashleigh vets in whalley range. they are well known to be the best exotics vets in and around manchester. they can examine her and feel for any muscle wastage and possible arthritis.

if it is that, then daily metacam can help so much to reduce inflammation and control pain. :wave:
 
biscandmatt1 said:
did the vets check for any signs of arthritis? this can cause the rabbit to not have full control over their toiletting, so they can't hold the tail up properly to urinate for example, so become wet underneath. arthritis can affect the back and spine aswell, making it harder to keep clean and toilet.

i would really recommend going to ashleigh vets in whalley range. they are well known to be the best exotics vets in and around manchester. they can examine her and feel for any muscle wastage and possible arthritis.

if it is that, then daily metacam can help so much to reduce inflammation and control pain. :wave:
Click to expand...
This and your bun may have become immune to the antibiotics.
 
We're going to see how she is this week (i.e. see if she keeps her bottom dry) and then think about using the vet you mention, as we are just getting so confused with our current vet!

I don't recall them mentioning arthritis, but we've witnessed a few times where she has a wee and lifts her tail right up no problem. How she gets wet the other times I don't know...!!

We never seem to witness these "bad" wees happening :? It's always been in the morning or when we get home from work that we see it wet. I wonder if Chewie is secretly harassing the hell out of her when we're not around?!
 
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