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Odd wee episode

22 10:17:12

Question
Hi Dana

My bunny Snoop is a dwarf lion-head, 6 years old and as far as I know very healthy. He eats Meadow Hay (the brand) every day which is in his loo box, changed every other day, Supa Rabbit pellets, fresh water, and the odd green bean, carrot, raisin (as an after brushing treat) or nut here and there.
Yesterday, he started peeing a lot on the rug under his loo box, and also on the floor. Each time I cleaned the bit on the tile up he peed there again. The colour seems normalish, yellow and normal viscosity. Then in the evening, I picked him up as usual to sit with me on the sofa and gave him an almond which he started nibbling and when I moved a bit he promptly peed all over me - he's never done this before! So I gave him a smack which I feel really guilty about now since reading it may have been an affection thing.
Today, after consulting your website, my Rabbitlopedia book and other information sources, I am a little bit confused. He seems to be out in the open more than usual as he normally chills in his box behind the sofa or potters around now and then. He's sort of looking sad, and I felt his tummy while he was in the loo this morning and he hopped out turned his butt towards me and pee'd!! I don't really know how urgent it may be but I may pop him over to my vet this afternoon for a check. As I said the pee colour is normal but his tummy does feel a little bit more swollen than usual. His nose is still twitching but I noticed him gritting his teeth this morning.

Please help!

Answer
Dear Deb,

Your bunny is showing all the signs of a painful urinary tract problem, such as urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder stone, or bladder sludge.  He may be trying to tell you with his behaviors, but he definitely needs to be seen by a good rabbit vet ASAP, as the pain from this can elicit other complications, such as ileus  (www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html).

Please read this:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/urinary.html

and find a good vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and get him there ASAP for diagnosis and treatment.  He needs pain medication and help as soon as humanly possible.

I hope this helps.

Dana