Red Urine

[WinnieandPiglet]

So my piggies (winnie and piglet) are super alert and healthy, they are eating and drinking but yesterday night I noticed red in the pee which dried brown. I gave them pellets and water and hay and checked on it in the morning. It was still there. Winnie had white fur and we saw her pee and it was clear so we put piglet in a container with white paper towels and hay. If we see red in her pee we will take her to the vet. Any other steps I should take? Do you know what this could be?

 

[Wiebke]

So my piggies (winnie and piglet) are super alert and healthy, they are eating and drinking but yesterday night I noticed red in the pee which dried brown. I gave them pellets and water and hay and checked on it in the morning. It was still there. Winnie had white fur and we saw her pee and it was clear so we put piglet in a container with white paper towels and hay. If we see red in her pee we will take her to the vet. Any other steps I should take? Do you know what this could be?

Was the pee patch all over red or has the red dried in small red dots in the puddle or as a red ring around the patch? Blood in the urine has a different specific weight and separates when it dries, so an even patch means that it is just very discoloured urine. If you notice different coloured dots or a ring in a different more red colour, then it is indeed blood. In that case, I would see a vet, but not as an emergency; especially if there are more pees.

Reddish urine can be caused by coloured veg or by bacteria in the urine.
Deep red pees can be the very first sign of a developing UTI when symptoms are not yet consistent. Perversely, they can test blood-free while clear urine can test high - I have been there with that myself. The next days should tell. A vet will not be able to diagnose safely until any symptoms are more consistent, but see one during regular opening hours if you get worried.

 

[WinnieandPiglet]

Thanks! we have piglet on a white towel now, but she has not peed yet/ The pee on the bedding was red/pink dots that dried to brown.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks! we have piglet on a white towel now, but she has not peed yet/ The pee on the bedding was red/pink dots that dried to brown.

Take a deep breath - piggies never seem to pee when you sit there and wait for some...

 

[WinnieandPiglet]

We took piglet to the vet today and she had calcium crystals that were causing her to bleed. They gave her a needle and some medicine and she’s ok

 

[Wiebke]

We took piglet to the vet today and she had calcium crystals that were causing her to bleed. They gave her a needle and some medicine and she’s ok

I assume that the injection and medication is an antibiotic?

 

[WinnieandPiglet]

The injection was to flush out the crystals and the medication was antibiotic

 

[Wiebke]

All the best! I hope that she has a good recovery!

You may find our diet guide for urinary tract problem piggies helpful in minimising a recurrence.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diet