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05 Sep 2014

Preventing Sludge In Rabbits

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Rabbits | Veterinary News

Sludge in rabbits is a frustrating urinary problem affecting rabbits of all breeds, ages, and both sexes. As a vet it can be difficult to treat, and sadly despite intervention, frequently recurs. Get our 3 essential treatments and 4 ways to prevent.

Signs – rabbits can be presented with sludge in a number of ways, and not all of them together. Check our list to see how many you would spot.

Thick urine – rabbit urine is high in calcium carbonate, and in rabbits suffering from sludge, the sediment is thick and ‘sludgy’. The urine can take on the appearance and texture of thick smooth toothpaste.

Frequent urination – affected rabbits will often attempt to urinate more often, and not always in the same place.

Straining to urinate – the obstruction of the urine outflow from the bladder by the thick creamy deposit can make for difficulty in expression. Constant attempts akin to an animal with constipation will be observed.

Pain – grinding of teeth and crying may be noticed by the owner.

Haematuria – blood can sometimes be present, but not always. Don’t confuse this with normal rabbit urine pigmentation or blood from a uterine adenocarcinoma.

Visible signs of chalky sediment on the fur as the sludge voided dries.

Urine scalding – many rabbits with sludge will get reddened skin around the hindquarters and down the inside of the back legs. When examining them always turn them over to have a good look.

Loss of appetite – the constant discomfort and stress caused by sludge will result in depression and anorexia.

Diagnosing – the challenge

As with all medical conditions, the diagnosis starts with a good clinical history and gathering all the clinical signs.

During the examination, use all the diagnostic aids available.

o Radiology and ultrasound examination of the bladder and urinary tract form the cornerstone to visualising the sediment.

o Urinalysis using not just dip sticks, but also sedimentation and microscopy. Fresh urine samples can be obtained from free flow, manual expression, cystocentesis and catheterisation.

o Check the fur around the hind legs, looking for dry chalky sediment and scalding.

o Blood tests to help rule out other concurrent illnesses.

Veterinary Treatment – 3 essential tips

The mainstay procedure used to treat sludge is catheterisation of the bladder, and flushing with saline repeatedly to remove as much of the sediment as possible. This has to be done under sedation or anaesthesia. Don’t forget to warm the saline to body temperature first.

Fluids – ideally given intravenously or orally, but can also be given by subcutaneous injection. The aim is to increase the flow and production of urine, and so dilute the urine sediment.

Analgesia and antibiotics – as the condition can become painful if the rabbit is straining or has urine scalding, pain relief is important. NSAID’s such as meloxicam are often used, as are buprenorphine and butorphanol. Antibiotics should be used if there is a urinary infection or if the urine scalding is causing a cellulitis. Common antibiotics used include enrofloxacin and cephalexin.

Prevention – read our 4 key ways to prevent a recurrence

Exercise – encourage your clients to allow their pet rabbits to exercise frequently. This will ensure that urine high in calcium sludge won’t settle and coalesce. By hopping around, the urine is constantly agitated.

Ensure plenty of fresh water – discuss with the owner the need to check that the water bottle is clean and working, the water bowl is not contaminated and can't be flipped over easily. Rainwater may be more palatable than tap water with chlorine.

Offer plenty of fresh leafy greens such as dandelion, parsley, beet root tips and raspberry leaves. You can also point your clients to our fibrevore feeding guidelines