porphyrin diagnosis

[PennyCopper]

After noticing orange color on Penny's pee-pee pad, I took her to the vet. She has no stones (x-ray done) and urine check showed no white blood cells (no infection) so the vet determined it is something called porphyrin. She states it is pigment and not painful and is not concerned about it.
Should we be concerned? Will the problem resolve on its own? How and why did porphyrin start all of a sudden? Is there a holistic way I can help my Penny to get better?
Vet says 'diet' caused it but she has been eating spring mix, romaine, parsley, peppers, for as long as I have had her. I have not changed her Oxbow hay or pellets so it can't be diet.
Could it be anything else than pigment?
Colleen

 

[Wiebke]

After noticing orange color on Penny's pee-pee pad, I took her to the vet. She has no stones (x-ray done) and urine check showed no white blood cells (no infection) so the vet determined it is something called porphyrin. She states it is pigment and not painful and is not concerned about it.
Should we be concerned? Will the problem resolve on its own? How and why did porphyrin start all of a sudden? Is there a holistic way I can help my Penny to get better?
Vet says 'diet' caused it but she has been eating spring mix, romaine, parsley, peppers, for as long as I have had her. I have not changed her Oxbow hay or pellets so it can't be diet.
Could it be anything else than pigment?
Colleen

Hi!

Some veg (even green ones like lettuce) can occasionally cause orange pees. Nothing to worry about.

If the pee is clear when it leaves the body but is discolouring in orangey/rusty shades as it dries, then we talk about oxidisation. this is a perfectly normal process.

Porphyrin is a harmless pigment. It is typical either as intensely blood red coloured urine at the onset of a urinary tract infection or cystitis that is usually mistaken for blood (pees can contain blood or not irrespective of whether they are clear or porhyrine coloured) or you can get it in the wake of a major urinary tract issue; in this case is usually deep orange pees.
However, you have not mentioned any urinary tract issues, so we can leave that out.

Unfortunately without seeing any pictures, I cannot comment further.

 

[PennyCopper]

Hi!

Some veg (even green ones like lettuce) can occasionally cause orange pees. Nothing to worry about.

If the pee is clear when it leaves the body but is discolouring in orangey/rusty shades as it dries, then we talk about oxidisation. this is a perfectly normal process.

Porphyrin is a harmless pigment. It is typical either as intensely blood red coloured urine at the onset of a urinary tract infection or cystitis that is usually mistaken for blood (pees can contain blood or not irrespective of whether they are clear or porhyrine coloured) or you can get it in the wake of a major urinary tract issue; in this case is usually deep orange pees.
However, you have not mentioned any urinary tract issues, so we can leave that out.

Unfortunately without seeing any pictures, I cannot comment further.

I can't thank you enough for your feedback. Your reply was so helpful. I do have pictures but I honestly believe that since the vet saw the photos as well as did an exam and was convinced that the diagnosis was porphyrin and now your thorough response I now feel confident not to worry.
I do want to watch more closely to see if the pee is clear when leaving the body.
I hope you and yours are all well and again thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

I can't thank you enough for your feedback. Your reply was so helpful. I do have pictures but I honestly believe that since the vet saw the photos as well as did an exam and was convinced that the diagnosis was porphyrin and now your thorough response I now feel confident not to worry.
I do want to watch more closely to see if the pee is clear when leaving the body.
I hope you and yours are all well and again thank you.

Glad I have been able to allay your worries.
Being at home more than normal you are bound to notice more things and generally react a bit more jittery.

My husband and I have to be careful as we are both in a raised risk group; and I miss my family back in Switzerland.
But I have decided to set myself a charity challenge in order to end this year on a high, whatever happens and get to amazing places or places I miss virtually by stair climbing the height of Mount Everest until the end of the year.
You are welcome to join in or - if you wish - donate to the Guinea Pig Sanctuary I am doing this for as a fundraiser.
COVID-19 - My Coronavirus Mount Everest Climbing Challenge