health issue

Question
We have a 4 year old mini lop.  A week and a half ago he was leaking quite a bit of urine.  Took to our vet (not so sure he a rabbit expert, though).  He took an xray and thought his bladder shape was not proper.  Said it was supposed to be circular and our rabbit's (Koby is his name) bladder was wavy/bumpy on the top.  He thought perhaps it is a tumor or muscle weakening.  He put him on panmycin aquadrops and ben-bac in the event it was a bladder infection.  Within 2 days he was much better and the leaking totally stopped.  He advised us to keep him on the meds for 2 weeks.  We are on day 11 of medication and noticed a small amount of leakage again.  Our vet seems to think Koby is old for a bunny and that maybe he had an infection as well as either the tumor or muscle loss of the bladder.  I have been reading on the internet about this sludge condition.  Do you think this could be the cause and should I get a 2nd opinion from another vet?  Is 4 years very old for a rabbit?  We had thought they lived to 8 or 10 years.  Thank you.

Answer
Dear Lee,

I would *definitely* get another vet.  A four year old rabbit is still very young, and this problem is not likely age-related.

It *could* be bladder sludge, but I can't tell from here.  A good rabbit vet will be able to help you, and you can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

You can read more about common urinary tract problems in rabbits here:

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

I hope this helps.

Dana