blood in urine?

[kim]

Hi, I have just had my my male gerbil Bolt out for his out of tank/exploring time and he urinated and when I looked it was red I wiped it up with a tissue and could see it was definitely a red/pinky colour.

I'm going to keep an eye on him and get him out a few times onto something white so I can see if it a reoccurring thing of just a one off, and if it happens again I will take him to the vets Monday/Tuesday. Is there anything else I can do?

He seems fine in him self and is acting as usual, running in his wheel alot ect. but I've also noticed that he's been drinking quite alot over the last few days. Also I don't know if this could be connected or not but his alot skinnier that the rest of my gerbils (but this has been for ages, possibly forever but not sure) I've never really worried about this to much as I assumed he was just that way naturally or possibly a runt or something, and I see him eating but is this normal?    

Any help? 

Thanks

[betty]

Well, drinking more, lack of bodyweight and (possible) blood in urine could be a number of illnesses including kidney problems and bladder infections; however eating some new treats with artificial colours and too much salt/other minerals could also cause the increased drinking and the reddish wee - and he was just the runt like you said.

If you can definitely rule out foods as the cause, then I might take him to the vet anyway for a check up - it can't hurt can it?

I don't think there is anything you can 'do' for him in the mean time other than provide fresh water for him every day, and perhaps avoid handling him around his tummy incase it is uncomfortable for him. Watch him interacting with his tank mates, any signs such as stretching or excessive abdominal grooming (could be pain indications) and perhaps weigh him so you have a base line for any more weigh loss.

I haven't experienced this before in gerbils (only other animals) so it will be interesting to hear from someone who has.

[Shooting Star]

Yeah, sounds like kidney trouble. Until you can get to the vet, avoid food/treats high in salt or protein (particularly animal protein).

[kim]

Hi, thanks for your advice, I can't be sure but I don't think it would be food caused as i'm very particular about what I feed them but of course I can't guarantee this. I won't give him any extra protein for now though.

I just got him out again as he had a drink not long before, and put out a white towel on my sofa. After a short while he did wee again (but not on the towel but on my table next to my sofa which is same place he went before) and it was an obvious red again. When I cleaned it up with a tissue it seemed slightly browner though, but he also did a poo which was cleaned up with it so that could have been why.

I'm really worried now I thinking it might have to be a trip to the vets.

From what I can tell his still acting normal, other than drinking alot.

[kim]

I'm looking into my local vets trying to choose who would be best and I'm trying to decide on one that specialises in exotic animals but is about a half hours drive away or one that is only 5 mins drive away but don't specialise in exotic pets but have a vet there that is currently studying small animal veterinary to widen his knowledge in the area. Partly my thought is is it worth the possible stress of travelling in a travel cage for a total of an hour for (if you get what I mean) or would it be better to go closer.

I want to do the best thing for him.

[Shooting Star]

I'd go for the specialist. Maybe check out the closer one another time when it's something less (potentially) serious.

[kim]

would they be ok with travailing that distance then? (I say they cos I take his brother to for company)

[betty]

They will be fine together for half an hour. I travelled about that far for the specialist for my scent gland opp and it was defo worth it.

I took the 2 boys in one of my smaller tanks with the obligatory tunnels and tubes in and left them there together all day before the same journey home. No worries. I did take a small carrier too just in case.

Good luck.

[kim]

ok thanks I will go to them. I just tried to phone to make an app for tomoz but there shut so will have to phone tomorrow morning and hope I can get an app for the same day.

[kim]

I've just had him out again for the first time today and he did a wee again in the same spot and this time it was a normal yellowey colour with no visible blood could this mean that it could have been nothing to worry about?
I'm still thinking of taking him to the vets though just to check theres nothing wrong.


evening update: no more blood in urine, but is it still a good idea to take him to vets?

[qtoffer]

I'd still bring him in to get checked out. Like us, gerbils can get kidney stones that cause irritation and bleeding while they are being passed. Once the stone is passed, the bleeding usually stops....until the next stone comes down the pipe. The vet (preferably the small animal specialist) will likely X-ray your gerbil (they use a dental X-ray machine - costs about $25) and determine if there are other stones. Even if the X-ray is clear, he'll likely diagnose a UTI and give antibiotics. Years ago, I had a gerbil with bloody urine - no stones, and a short course of Baytril cleared up the UTI in about a week.

And don't be concerned about the longer drive to the vet. My vet is 45 min away with traffic. I transported my gerbils in a small plastic sweater box filled with used bedding from their cage and a small cardboard box for them to hide. Just make sure they're warm and always bring the cagemate - they will comfort and calm each other.


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Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
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RIP
Maire 11/6/2008 - 4/6/2011; Eithne 11/6/2008 - 10/10/2011
Lori 5/2/2011 - 7/24/2013; Mo 5/2/2011 - 1/14/2014; Carly 5/2/2011 - 5/21/2014
Arwen 11/12/2011 - 2/8/2015

[kim]

Thanks, I've got an appointment at the specialist this afternoon.

[kim]

just got back from the vets, she couldn't see or feel anything obviously wrong with him (said he looked quite healthy) but she has given him a course of antibiotics and I need to get a urine test from him so can see if anything come up on that and if so then there going to do an xray.

They where better than I thought they would be on the journey as well