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what does it mean?

22 10:39:17

Question
I have a mini lop eared indoor rabbit who is just over 3 years old. he lives on his own. He is a healthy bunny. i feed him guinea pig cruch food and give him fresh veg every other day. i have to chop the veg up very small as he has no front teeth. but for some reason he has been drinking LOADS of water and is weeing loads to. he has daily exercise around my room when i clean him out. sometimes his poo is runny too. why is he weeing so much for? is this a sign for any thing?  

many thanks Sarah

Answer
Dear Sarah,

One of the most common (and troubling) reasons for polyuria/polydypsia (excessive urination and excessive drinking) is renal disease.  You should get your bunny to a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

for bloodwork to check his kidney function values.  If they are high, your bunny might need supportive care.  However, I would be very cautious about overdoing subcutaneous fluid therapy if the bunny is acting fine and happy.  Messing with his other electrolytes can do more harm than good, and I've found that very little intervention is best, as long as the bunny is managing his condition adequately with fluid intake on his own.  Only occasional fluids might be necessary.

Let's hope this isn't the case, but it is something to check.  Another possibility--though relatively rare in rabbits--is diabetes.  This can be managed with human insulin, but it's quite rare.

The mushy poop could be related to kidney problems, but the name of the food has me a bit concerned, since incorrect diet is the most common cause.  Please read:

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

and this, to check his diet:

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

A lop his age may also be developing molar spurs, another common cause of the pain/stress that may lead to runny poop (cecal dysbiosis):

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

If he already had incisor problems, he may well have molar problems, too.  Those should be checked and treated by a good rabbit vet.

Hope this helps.

Dana