 Dr. Isabelle Tancioni and I speaking at Bunnyfest 2023 This year I was invited once more to speak at Bunnyfest, a wonderful annual event celebrating all things Lagomorph. Bunnyfest is a great way for people with companion rabbits to meet local rabbit savvy vets, other rabbit enthusiasts, learn about different rabbit products and resources, and participate in lots of fun activities. All while supporting the San Diego House Rabbit Society and the critical work that they do in saving rabbits and educating the public on proper rabbit care.
On September 22nd 2024 it was my pleasure to give a brief presentation on rabbit litter box training and urinary health. Below you can find a summary of my notes for your reference. Overview
Urinary Tract Anatomy and Physiology
Urinary Tract Disorders in Rabbits
Symptoms of urinary tract disease may include (but are not limited to)*:
1. Urolithiasis and Hypercalciuria Sludge Also known as uroliths, stones or calculi can form in the bladder, urethra, kidneys and ureters. Rabbits with hypercalciuria (high level of calcium in their urine) have bladder “sand” or “sludge”, this is caused by excess calcium in the body, which in rabbits is excreted in the urine. Stones and sludge may cause pain, urinary blockage, and other significant health issues, such as kidney disease. However, a small amount of sand in the bladder of senior rabbits in a common incidental radiographic finding. Predisposing factors:
Treatment
2. Kidney Disease The most common cause of kidney disease in rabbits is Encephalitozoon cunicili (a microsporidian parasite), chronic kidney disease (CKD) in senior bunnies and urolithiasis. Predisposing factors:
Treatment Acute Kidney Failure:
Treatment Chronic Kidney Failure:
3. Urinary Incontinence Predisposing factors:
Treatment:
4. Hematuria (bloody urine) Rabbits can produce variably colored urine (from yellow to orange and even reddish-brown). This is typically caused by porphyrins in the diet (Porphyrinuria). Antibiotics and ingestion of pine needles can produce higher urinary pigment levels. It’s important to differentiate porphyrinuria (benign condition) from hematuria (medical issue). A urinalysis is the diagnostic modality of choice in making this critical differentiation. Rarely, pigmented urine can be associated with urobilinuria (due to an inherited or acquired disorder of the heme biosynthetic pathway). Bloody urine can originate from the urinary or genital tract. Predisposing factors for urinary tract bleeding:
Predisposing factors for genital tract bleeding:
5. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Although less common in rabbits than in some other mammalian species, UTI’s can occur. Predisposing factors:
Treatment:
6. Scrotal/Inguinal Herniation of the Urinary Bladder Male rabbits are at increased risk as they have open inguinal canals throughout their life. It typically presents as a unilateral swelling in the scrotum and/or inguinal region. In female rabbits a unilateral inguinal swelling is typically observed. Female rabbits can also evert their bladder through the urethra. These rabbits also often have urolithiasis and/or hypercalciuria. It's important to rule out herniation of other organs e.g. digestive tract, tumors. Treatment:
7. Psychogenic Polyuria and Polydipsia (PU/PD) Healthy rabbits can drink ~20-130 ml/kg of water and produce ~20-100 ml/kg daily, this can vary based on their diet. Anything is excess of the above numbers would be considered PU/PD. Treatment
Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Disorders: As you can see from the above information there is a lot of overlapof symptoms and pre-disposing factors with the various urinary pathologies. Some rabbits can even have multiple issues concurrently. As such, veterinarians typically start with baseline diagnostics (Items 1-4 below), and move onto move advanced +/- more invasive diagnostic procedures as needed (and based on findings on initial testing).
Importance of litter box training From a veterinary medical standpoint, having a rabbit that is trained to eliminate in their litter box is extremely helpful in monitoring for any changes in urine and fecal output, which are key in early disease detection and intervention. Other reasons for having a litter box trained bunny include:
Litter Training Box Tips
If you are looking for a rabbit savvy vet, I am currently seeing bunny patients at the following veterinary hospitals: (RHDV2 Vaccine Available) P: (619) 465-4600 A: 7750 University Ave STE A, La Mesa, CA 91942 P: (760) 942-1220 A: 222 N. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 References
0 Comments
|
AuthorAleksandra Canseco, BVSc, BIA (Hons.1), FFCP (Avian/Canine/Feline) Archives
|
RSS Feed
Ⓒ 2024 Copyright
Canseco Veterinary Corporation
Vista, California, USA
e-mail: [email protected]
phone: 845.draleks (372.5357)
Proudly powered by Weebly