Urinary tract infections in rabbits, as in humans, are caused by bacteria in the urethra, bladder or kidneys. It can be exacerbated by a buildup of calcium in the bladder, which scrapes the sides of the urethra and makes cuts where bacteria can fester. Being aware of the symptoms of urinary tract infections and other rabbit urinary problems can help you get your rabbit the medical attention it needs.

Healthy Urine

The first step in recognizing problems is understanding what healthy rabbit urine looks like. Unlike most mammals, rabbits excrete excess calcium through urine rather than through feces. As a result, normal rabbit urine is slightly cloudy. But very thick, sludgy urine is a sign of a dangerous and painful calcium buildup in your bunny's bladder. Rabbit urine can vary in color from clear or light yellow to red. Red or orange urine does not indicate the presence of blood; rather, these color changes occur depending on the types of plants your rabbit eats. Actual blood in the urine is usually present in concentrations too small for the naked eye to see.

Symptoms

Check your rabbit regularly for signs of urination problems. Urine scalding is a symptom of a host of urinary problems in rabbits. This happens when urine soaks into your rabbit's fur around the genitals, causing irritated skin and a loss of fur. Besides urinary tract infections, other causes include bladder sludge, bladder stones and trouble urinating properly due to paralysis, arthritis, hormonal imbalance or uterine cancer. Ease the discomfort of urine scalding by giving your rabbit a dry bath with baby-safe cornstarch powder. Other symptoms of urinary tract infections include lethargy, decreased appetite and difficulty urinating, including straining and passing only small amounts of urine at a time.

Tests and Treatment

The only sure way to diagnose a urinary tract infection is to test a urine sample for bacteria. There are several ways to collect urine samples. You can do it yourself by having your rabbit urinate into a clean litterbox, but the sample will not be sterile. Two veterinary methods, cystocentesis (removing urine from the bladder using a sterile needle) and catheterization (inserting a tube through the urethra to collect urine), ensure that the sample is sterile and not too old for a successful test. The former is more comfortable for your rabbit, since it does not require anesthesia. Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics; the type of bacteria found in the sample will affect the antibiotic your veterinarian prescribes.

Prevention

There are several steps you can take to help prevent your rabbit from developing urinary tract infections. First, sterilize your rabbit. Spayed or neutered rabbits have a much lower risk of urinary tract infections, as well as being easier to litter train. Second, change your rabbit's diet. Alfalfa pellets and hay, the usual diet for pet rabbits, are very high in calcium. Increased calcium in the bladder can scratch the urethra and lead to bacterial growth, in addition to causing problems other than urinary ones. Third, pay attention to your rabbit's normal urinary habits. The more aware you are of your rabbit's usual behavior, the more likely you are to notice when something is wrong.

Source:

HARE: Rabbit Urine Scald

Ontario Rabbit Education Organization: Urinary Tract Problems

Rabbit Rescue & Rehab: Aging Bunny, Aging Bladder

More Information:

PetPlace.com: Urinary Disorders in Rabbits

MyHouseRabbit.com: Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Bunny