How Would I Know If a Bunny Has a Urinary Infection?

Caring for a pet rabbit is both rewarding and challenging. Knowing how to tell when your rabbit has a urinary infection takes understanding your bunny and learning about the illness. It is also helpful to have a veterinarian who has a background in treating exotic pets, as many vets do not specialize in this area.

  1. Be Prepared

    • Be familiar with your rabbit's normal behavior and habits. This allows the pet owner to quickly take note of any change in the bunny's normal routine or activity that could be a sign that the rabbit is not well. Unfortunately, rabbits will very often show no signs of illness until it has become serious, which makes this all the more important.

    Signs to Look For

    • Learn the signs of urinary infections in a rabbit. Dr. Astrid M. Kruse tells readers of RabbitNetwork.org to if a rabbit appears to be straining to urinate, has abnormal-looking urine that is bloody or of unusual consistency, or if the bunny has a urine-soaked rear end, he may be experiencing a urinary infection, as this makes it difficult for him to project urine away from his body.

      Other signs of a urinary infection include abnormal urine smell, a change in the rabbit's litter box habits, and frequent urination.

      MyHouseRabbit.com tells readers that spayed or neutered rabbits are less likely to get urinary infections than those that are not. Older rabbits are more likely to develop them, as well. It should also be noted that some rabbits develop a chronic problem with recurring urinary infections that will require ongoing treatment periodically throughout the bunny's life.

    Professional Help

    • Take the rabbit to a qualified veterinarian at the first sign of a urinary infection. Dr. Gil Stanzione writes on RabbitCare.org that a rabbit suspected of having a urinary infection needs to be examined by a veterinarian. The doctor will conduct urinalysis tests, check urine cultures and manually examine the animal's abdomen to determine if the pet has a urinary infection.

      The veterinarian may show you how to obtain urine samples at home that can be brought in for continued testing. In some cases, the vet may obtain a sterile sample in his office to avoid any possible contamination that could affect the test results.

      To confirm the diagnosis, an abdominal ultrasound or x-ray may be performed.

      After the test results come back confirming a urinary infection, the veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate antibiotic to fight the particular infection causing the difficulty. Baytril is a commonly used antibiotic for rabbits. It is also helpful to make sure that the bunny has ample water and healthy food available.