Urine smell

Question
My daughter rescued a male rabbit three years ago who is very lovable. Just recently, he developed a strong fishy smell when he urinates. She cleans the litter box twice a day with white vinegar and water so its not because of a dirty litter box.  Is this a health problem and what should she do?

Answer
Hi Faye,

The odor could be caused by several things.  If he is not neutered...you might be smelling what we lovingly know as "boy bunny".  It's the urine spray they use to mark their territory.  If he is not neutered and hasn't done this before...did something change in his surroundings?  Like maybe some things moved or done differently over the holidays that he feels the need to remark "his" territory?

I would also look at his diet.  As a rabbit ages, sometimes their kidneys don't do as good a job.  Make sure he is getting a proper diet...low protein and high fiber.  The majority of an adult house rabbit's diet should be high fiber grass hay such as timothy, orchard grass or brome and it should be available in unlimited quantities and at all times.  Pellets contain far too much protein for an adult rabbit and should be offered in very limited amounts.  Some of the lower end pellets are just nothing but junk food and can lead to this odor.  Look in the ingredients of your pellets and see if there is something called "Yucca Extract".  That will help with odor too.  And make sure he is not being over fed.  We have rabbits that eat hay and limited greens without pellets.

If all of the above items are OK...then a trip to the vet for a physical should be in order.  The odor could be the sign of a urinary tract infection.  Most of the time if it is an infection, the rabbit will be somewhat less energetic and may lose his appetite.  He will also usually exhibit some discomfort when trying to urinate....or he may dribble urine when he hops.  Some rabbits are prone to bladder sludge.  It has been linked to a diet too high in calcium....lots of pellets and/or alfalfa hay.  I think the jury is still out on the cause of the sludge.  The vet will want a sample of urine to check for bacteria or excessive crystals.  An x-ray will easily show if the bladder is sludged.  Appropriate antibiotics and fluid hydration would be in order.

There is a more sinister possibility for a concentrated urine odor.  That is renal (kidney) failure.  In rabbits it can be caused by a protozoan infection known as E Cuniculi.  Very few vets have ever seen a case and ever fewer know how to treat it...and it is a challenge.  Nearly all domestic rabbits carry this parasite sub-clinically with no problems.  Some of the early signs of this issue are using some neurological deficiencies in the hind legs.  It will appear the rabbit stumbles or forgets how to use one of it's hind legs...most often the left.  It may be a rate happening.  This is the least likely problem.

If he is not neutered, that is something to think about. We have a male here that is a testicular cancer survivor.  Review any changes around the house and consider the stress (or perceived stress) by the rabbit over the holiday.  Review your husbandry protocols to insure proper diet with umlimited grass hay and limted high quality pellets.  I would like to see this rabbit in to see a vet just to make sure.  If it is an infection, it is much easier to deal with early on in the event.  Depending on your location, it might be difficult to find a rabbit savvy vet.  They are much different than treating a dog or a cat.  Look these ideas over and get back to me and we will go from there.

Randy