How to Treat Urinary Disorders in Rabbits

Rabbits easily acquire bacteria that causes urinary disorders because their bodies are so close to the ground. The three main types of disorders of the urinary tract in rabbits are urinary tract infections, calciuria and kidney or bladder stones. Treating a urinary disorder can seem like a daunting task, but knowledge of the required steps may make the task easier.

Things You'll Need

  • Veterinarian
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Instructions

  1. How to Treat Urinary Disorders in Rabbits

    • 1

      Recognize and record the symptoms, which will depend on the type of urinary disorder. It's important to write down all the symptoms you notice and provide the list to your veterinarian. Symptoms to watch for are excessive tiredness or lethargy, inability to urinate, straining to urinate, urinating only a little at a time, dribbling urine, blood in the urine, redness or hair loss around the genitalia or on the sides of the legs and a decrease in appetite.

    • 2

      Administer all medications has directed by the veterinarian. Antibiotics are usually prescribed in order to clear up any urinary infection. Make sure your rabbit takes all of the doses prescribed.

    • 3

      Follow through on general care and lifestyle changes recommended by your veterinarian. For bladder or kidney stones and calciuria, surgery or medication may be needed, but proper care of the rabbit and its environment are usually all that is required.

    • 4

      Keep your rabbit hydrated. Make sure it has plenty of fresh water while it is healing. Give it cranberry juice two or three times a day while it is on medication, and then at least once every week after the medication is done to help discourage infections.

    • 5

      Feed your rabbit yogurt while it is on medication. Yogurt will strengthen the immune system.

    • 6

      Keep the genital area clean. This will help the infection heal and not cause more irritation to the bladder or urethra.

    • 7

      Manage your rabbit's diet as necessary to ensure it is consuming only the required amount of calcium. Avoiding excessive calcium can help prevent a return of kidney stones, bladder stones or calciuria.