Blood in urine?!

[Aubrey&Lup'sMum]

Taking measurements for new fleece just now and I have noticed that my girls' urine is a different colour to usual.

It is way darker with a reddish tinge that I am concerned is blood. I have included pics from 3 places today, and also still had some of the puppy pads that I cleaned up last night, so I've attached some pics for comparison.

However, I've done some online research and read that this may be within the range of normal for very young guinea pigs (several sources incl guinealynx). My girls turn 3 months old today, so that is probably still considered "very young"! I have also read that certain vegetables and/or oxidisation can cause this colouration.

Two additions to their diet this week may have caused this:

1. They started eating red capsicum yesterday (previously had only liked green). They had some for lunch yesterday and today.
2. Since Saturday they have been having new pellets - Oxbow Essentials Young Guinea Pig Food

No weird behaviour (well, outside of the normal!) and no noises when peeing or pooping. We're super careful with their diet. Pee smells normal to me (like, can't smell metallic blood or anything...)

UPDATE: Just got a fresh pee from Aubrey, so I've attached that pic too. It looks ok, though a bit pink in centre?

Should I go straight to vet, or just monitor for now, or does it look normal? Please help

 

[Aubrey&Lup'sMum]

UPDATE: Aubrey's previously fresh urine now looks like this (pic attached), so maybe it's ok...?

 

[Claire W]

That’s normal for a puppy pad pee. The chemicals in puppy pads turn pee that colour also oxidised urine is to blame.

Blood in urine is a spot of blood in the centre of a clear pee. My girl is currently being treated for a uti. This is what blood in urine looks like:



If you are worried, you could get her to pee to pee on a white towel but I would just keep an eye on her and try not to worry

 

[Aubrey&Lup'sMum]

@Claire W Phew ok thanks We've been using puppy pads for a couple of weeks and it's never been this colour, but I guess there's a couple of different variables that've been introduced.

PS I'm sorry to hear about your girl's UTI. I hope she gets over it soon.

 

[Claire W]

@Claire W Phew ok thanks We've been using puppy pads for a couple of weeks and it's never been this colour, but I guess there's a couple of different variables that've been introduced.

PS I'm sorry to hear about your girl's UTI. I hope she gets over it soon.

Yes, food can also be to blame but that’s definitely not blood thank you, she’s doing well so far