my rabbit and water

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have a one year old male rabbit that never caused my any trouble and always seems happy. However, 4 days ago he started drinking almost 3 times more water than he usually does. Besides this fact, he looks healthy: no runny nose, no strange noises, eats well, plays with my cats as he normally does...
Am I just freaking out for nothing?
Thanks,
Maria
ANSWER: Hi Maria

Is he eating less than usual?  Peeing any bright red urine?  Does he seem to be straining to pee?  If he doesn't have any other signs of problems it may be nothing.  However, it could be the first sign of a health problem.  I would keep an eye on him and if he shows any other symptoms I would take him to the vet right away.  They can do a complete blood test to make sure nothing is wrong.  If you are sure that he isn't acting different in any other way then I wouldn't consider it an emergency and he can probably wait until his regular check-up.

Just keep an eye on the little guy.  You know him better than anyone else so you should be able to tell if something is wrong.

Also if you have a vet that he see's regularly it is not a bad idea to contact them and just let them know about the change.  Chances are that if they haven't seen him for a check-up in a while they are going to want him to come in for an exam.  Rabbits should have a yearly check-up anyway.

Please let me know how he is doing in a few days.  I have a feeling he will be just fine as long as everything else is normal.

Thank you

Pam

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Pam,
Thanks for the quick reply. He is doing ok, without any other signs or symptoms that you described. He's now drinking the quantities he used to, so I guess he was just really thirsty this past few days. I'll keep an eye on him, just in case.
Thanks again,
Maria

Answer
Whew.. that is good to know.  Rabbits are strange little critters anyway.  I just had a feeling he was ok since nothing else was bothering him.  If anything else comes up please let me know.  Just remember he should get a check-up once a year if you can afford it.

Thank you for the update

Pam