Red tinge to urine?

[Bungle]

We noticed our guinea pig's urine had a red tinge to it when he urinated on the carpet whilst cleaning him out then again when he urinated on his fresh wood shavings. However less than hour before we had fed him a piece of red lettuce. We have never noticed this before so we are a little worried. There's no change in his behaviour, he is quite perky. Squeaks when we open the fridge so he must be feeling OK.

Any advice, much appreciated.

Thanks,

Jayne x

 

[helenllama]

Is piggy an only pig?

It may be the red cabbage dying the urine. or it may be blood.
Keep an eye out over night and if it is still red in the morning. See a vet.

 

[maryh]

beetroot can colour the urine as can carrots,but they would have to have quite a lot of carrot fore this to happen.

Red lettuce should not stain the urine.

As he is otherwise normal,it probably was something he ate.

 

[Bungle]

He is an only pig. He seems fine but I will just keep a close eye on him. He seems happy and himself. Thanks for the advice x

 

[Bungle]

I don't think the red is dark enough to be blood

 

[Jane]

I would keep an eye on him to make sure it doesn't carry on but it sounds like something he's eaten.

If it's still red in a few days (or maybe someone else can give a better time frame) then I guess a vet would be a good idea but until then I'd just keep an eye on it

 

[rw3399]

My sow had blood in her urine and appeared healthy in herself (still eating and drinking, and running around exploring) and it turned out that she had bladder stones. Just something to think if no changes in a couple of days.

 

[Goldie]

Hi Jayne, yes raw beetroot can stain a piggy's urine red colour and also carrots have the same effort but obviously orange.

I have never fed my pigs on red cabbage but can only assume that it has the same effect as beetroot.

Hopefully things will settle down in a couple of days, but if they don't and it looks like blood staining then perhaps you need to contact a vet.