Rabbit and guinea pigs are prone to problems such as cystitis & bladder sludge. They are also prone to forming bladder stones, which can form a physical obstruction to urine flow. These can require surgical removal.
Bladder sludge is the term given to urine that has thickened due to the presence of large amounts of calcium. It can be sandy and toothpaste-like in consistency. This can irritate the bladder lining, leading to cystitis, and can also be difficult to pass.
There are many factors that contribute to the development of bladder sludge and stones, so it is important to take these into account when trying to treat the condition. Here are some of the main causes:
Rabbits and guinea pigs have unusual calcium metabolism compared to other animals. This means that the blood calcium level in rabbits and guinea pigs is higher than in other animals. High calcium levels in urine can make it chalky, leading to sludge or stones.
Low water intake leads to more concentrated urine where the calcium is more likely to turn into salts, leading to sludge and stones.
Rabbits and guinea pigs that are overweight find it more difficult to completely empty their bladder. This means that any calcium present in the urine can settle and accumulate.
Some other potential causes of bladder problems include: - Lack of exercise - Genetics - Dirty litter trays
Symptoms of bladder problems can be hard to spot as rabbits and guinea pigs hide pain to deter predators in the wild.
These are the most common symptoms: - Reduced activity - Hunched posture - Teeth grinding - More frequent urination - Blood in urine - Licking at the back end - Smelly urine
Your vet will perform a physical exam, and then further tests including urine and possibly blood tests. The vet may also suggest taking an x-ray or ultrasound scan of the of the bladder to look for sludge or stones in there.
The treatment of bladder problems will depend on the underlying cause and severity. For instance, most bladder stones will need to be removed surgically under general anaesthetic, whereas bladder sludge can usually be expressed from the bladder manually.
You can help to treat your pet’s bladder problems by encouraging them to exercise, as well as adding a small amount of water to their food. You should also make sure that their litter tray is always clean. Too many leafy greens such as parley & dandelion greens should be avoided as they are high in calcium & therefore contribute to bladder issues