Different colors of the rabbit’s urine depict its health. You may have noticed that your rabbit’s pee has suddenly changed to red, which might scare you, so you might wonder, Why is my male rabbit pee red?
Your male rabbit’s pee is red as a result of the following:
1. Bladder Disorders
Disorders such as bladder stones, which are hard pellet-like materials with some form of calcium present in the bladder of rabbits, can lead to the excretion of red pee.
Unlike other animals, Rabbits tend to take in all the calcium they eat from their feed and excrete it in the form of urine. This can cause calcium to accumulate in the bladder, producing red pee.
2. Inflammation in the Bladder
Cystitis, which causes swelling in the rabbit’s bladder, can also lead to blood in the urine, making it red.
3. Blockage of the Urinary System
Obstruction of the rabbit’s urinary tract can hinder the passage of urine. A total urinary tract blockage is not so apparent in rabbits but is always seen in male rabbits, which is regarded as an emergency. A partial blockage in the urinary system can lead to the production of concentrated red urine.
4. Plant Color
You may realize that your rabbit’s pee is dark orange-red. This is highly likely due to the pigment of the plants it consumes.
Plant pigments in some vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and cabbages contain pigments released in the urine in the form of porphyrin, which is a red pigment, thus the red color in the pee.
5. Insufficient Water in the Body
Dehydration in rabbits leads to the excretion of dark red urine with a strong odor.
6. Cancer
The male rabbit may have bladder cancer. This, in turn, leads to bleeding of the bladder; hence, the blood mixes with the urine. This may result in a red pee discharge.
7. Antibiotics
Drugs administered to the rabbit can also lead to the excretion of red pee by the rabbit.
8. Sludge in the Bladder
The accumulation of calcium in the bladder can lead to a thick slime forming in the bladder. This irritates the bladder, causing swelling. Itching of the bladder can lead to bleeding. Eventually, when the blood mixes with urine, the result is the production of red urine.
9. Trauma
Genital injuries are most likely to occur in male rabbits since they are prone to fighting each other and scratching themselves. The scratches and injuries may cause bleeding. The blood might mix with the urine, thus the red pee.
10. Diseases
Infections like the Rabbit Hemorrhagic virus also lead to bleeding in the urinary system. The blood, in turn, mixes with urine, releasing red urine.
Normal Rabbit Urine
You might have realized that your rabbit urinates red urine more often, so you may wonder, is red rabbit pee normal? Why is my rabbit’s pee red? This should not be a cause for alarm.
Yes. Red rabbit pee is normal. Your rabbit’s pee could be red due to several reasons which may not be life-threatening. For instance, cases of red pee in rabbits are more frequent because of the pigments in the plants they eat. However, if it is consistent, you must contact your vet for further diagnosis.
You may see your rabbit’s pee varying from yellow to orange to red, so you might be confused what color is healthy rabbit urine. For a healthy rabbit, the urine is always yellow and colorless if the rabbit is well hydrated. This is also known as normal rabbit urine.
However, your rabbit’s pee can be orange or red, both considered normal but can also indicate a sign of illness.
Unhealthy Rabbit Urine
Rabbits pass excess calcium along with their urine. If you notice that your rabbit’s urine is unclear, then that indicates unhealthy pee, and you need to visit your vet.
Rabbits’ urine ranges from brown to orange, yellow, and red. You might be wondering, Why is my rabbit’s pee brown? This is possibly dehydration. Your rabbit might be dehydrated, so you need to ensure it gets and drinks a lot of water.
Why Is My Female Rabbit Pee Red?
This could be due to the following reasons:
1. Cancer of the Uterus
Female rabbits do not menstruate or bleed when on heat. Therefore, a bloody vulva discharge mixed with urine indicates a tumor of the uterus.
2. Womb Infection
Infections like the Pyometra in rabbits can cause uterine bleeding; eventually, the blood may mix with urine. This, in turn, comes out as red pee.
3. Abscess in the Bladder
Swellings in the bladder can lead to bleeding, which can mix with urine, hence the red urine.
4. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Virus
Diseases like the RHDV can also be another reason for the red pee in rabbits.
5. Failed Pregnancy
An unspayed doe can come into contact with a buck that is not castrated, which may lead to conception. The pregnancy, however, might fail, and therefore blood from it might mix with the urine hence a red pee.
How Do You Treat Red Urine in Rabbits?
Treatment is advised when your rabbit is diagnosed with a health issue that causes it to produce urine with an unusual color.
You can treat red urine in rabbits through any of the following:
1. Antibiotics
You can administer drugs to the rabbit depending on the level of discoloration.
2. Hydration
Ensure that your rabbit takes sufficient water.
3. Reduce Calcium Intake
Minimize the calcium intake that the rabbit takes in by checking on the feeds you give it.
4. Surgery
You can contact your vet to perform surgery depending on the condition’s severity.
What to Do If My Rabbit Is Bleeding?
If it is flowing or oozing out, cover the affected area with a clean cloth or bandage and apply pressure to the area. Secure the bandage until you can reach a veterinarian.
Summary
Excretion is a vital process in the body of a living organism. Urinating is one of the ways in which living organisms remove excess waste like water, salt, urea, and other metabolic wastes from their bodies.
Additionally, peeing can also help one determine their health status. Rabbits also urinate to excrete excess waste from their bodies.
Fortunately, red urine on some occasions is normal in bucks. However, knowing of any possible problems and when to take your male rabbit to a veterinarian for examination is usually safe.
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