Tommy - why is his wee looking like he has been tango’ed?

[Goldie]

Tommy’s wee has been orange coloured for a few weeks. At first I thought it was blood in his urine but it is definitely orange.
I have been looking at posts on this forum about this and also doing some research.

At first I needed to make sure that it was Tommy and not Luna that was doing the orange wee so I separated them into two carriers and waited. Yes it is Tommy and his wee comes out clear and then turns orange. I think the colour may appear worse as he is housed on white puppy pads but I have to say that even after keeping guinea pigs for over 25 years I have never experienced this in a guinea pig before. I adopted Tommy from the RSPCA and this problem did not develop straightaway - it was quite a few weeks after. I stopped giving him carrots to see if that helped but it didn’t. He is fed on a variety of vegetables daily, hay and Science Selective.

I think it maybe something to do with oxidation - there is no grit or sludge in his wee and he doesn’t seem in pain or discomfort plus he is eating well, no weight loss and he is very happy and lively.

Any advice please? I have attached some photos. Thanks.

 

[Goldie]

I think the photos make the urine stain look more red ... in real life the colour is more orange.
The urine ends up a solid coloured patch and not like blood stained where the blood ends up around the edges.

 

[Wiebke]

Tommy’s wee has been orange coloured for a few weeks. At first I thought it was blood in his urine but it is definitely orange.
I have been looking at posts on this forum about this and also doing some research.

At first I needed to make sure that it was Tommy and not Luna that was doing the orange wee so I separated them into two carriers and waited. Yes it is Tommy and his wee comes out clear and then turns orange. I think the colour may appear worse as he is housed on white puppy pads but I have to say that even after keeping guinea pigs for over 25 years I have never experienced this in a guinea pig before. I adopted Tommy from the RSPCA and this problem did not develop straightaway - it was quite a few weeks after. I stopped giving him carrots to see if that helped but it didn’t. He is fed on a variety of vegetables daily, hay and Science Selective.

I think it maybe something to do with oxidation - there is no grit or sludge in his wee and he doesn’t seem in pain or discomfort plus he is eating well, no weight loss and he is very happy and lively.

Any advice please? I have attached some photos. Thanks.

Hi!

If the colour has not developed straight away and the initial pee was clear, then it is due to oxidisation. I would keep an eye on him for the next few days in case it develops into a urinary tract infection or cystitis; it can often take a few days for any symptoms to firm up.

Blood in urine doesn't mix and generally dries in distinct reddish spots in a differently coloured pee puddle, or if there is a real lot in the pee, as a reddish ring around a pee puddle. Please also keep in mind that the intensively red pees that can signal the onset of a urinary tract infection or cystitis are porphyrine coloured and may or may not contain (invisible) blood.

 

[Goldie]

Hi!

If the colour has not developed straight away and the initial pee was clear, then it is due to oxidisation. I would keep an eye on him for the next few days in case it develops into a urinary tract infection or cystitis; it can often take a few days for any symptoms to firm up.

Blood in urine doesn't mix and generally dries in distinct reddish spots in a differently coloured pee puddle, or if there is a real lot in the pee, as a reddish ring around a pee puddle. Please also keep in mind that the intensively red pees that can signal the onset of a urinary tract infection or cystitis are porphyrine coloured and may or may not contain (invisible) blood.

Thanks x

 

[Goldie]

Thanks x

What causes oxidisation? Can I do anything to help Tommy and stop it happening?

 

[Wiebke]

What causes oxidisation? Can I do anything to help Tommy and stop it happening?

Oxidisation is normal, as everybody has got bacteria in their bladder. In guinea pigs with their alkaline urine this is generally more noticeable.
As long as it is not an outright infection (which it isn't at this stage), there is nothing you can do.

 

[Goldie]

Thanks @Wiebke - I will keep a very close eye on Tommy so that I will notice any changes straightaway - thanks for your advice.