litter training - possibly an infection? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**kotin** · #1 03-17-09, 09:45 pm

I have two bunnies, Marshmallow(female) and Garfield(male). Marshmallow is 3.5 years old and Garfield is just over 2 years old. I got them separately when they were 2 months old. Marshmallow is litter trained whereas Garfield is not. I used to use a cage with a wire bottom (not chicken wire though) and I recently built them a new cage w/NIC and coroplast. I've been trying to litter train Garfield for the past 2.5 weeks but he urinates all around the cage and not just one corner (so no preference). I never knew he urinated all around the cage until recently with the new cage (but I knew he wasn't really litter trainined because he'd have accidents when I'd let them out). I clean up the urine everyday with a mixture of water/vinegar.
So my question is: is it possible that Garfield may have a bladder infection or some other problem since it's been a while with the new cage (ie. me trying to litter train him) and he has no corner preference.

**Silverbeat** · #2 03-17-09, 10:31 pm

It's possible he may have a urinary tract infection [UTI], but more likely, he's peeing everywhere for a different reason. He may not like the new way you've rearranged his stuff. One of my bunnies did this last year. I took him to the vet and they extraced his urine by sticking a needle into his bladder. Very painful. Once he came home he had much better litterbox manners. Is he neutered? If not, it would probably be really helpful to neuter him. Is your female spayed? Ideally, if you get them both neutered/spayed, they'll be much better about the litterbox.
In case you think he does have a UTI, here are some helpful links.
Urinary Tract Problems - Ontario Rabbit Education Organization
Rabbit Urine Scald
Also, please remember, red urine does NOT equal bloody urine. The pigment of a rabbit's urine varies.

**kotin** · #3 03-17-09, 10:38 pm

Oh! haha....I forgot to mention that they're spayed and neutered. It has crossed my mind that maybe he doesn't like the new environment or he doesn't like me sticking my hand in so much (I know it's better to clean the cage when they're out but sometimes they don't want to come out) but as I've mentioned, he has poor litter habits. Would it be wise to bring him to the vet to do a urine screening? I can imagine a needle in the bladder would be painful! I don't want to cause him any pain but on the other hand, I'm worried he's already in pain and not showing it. Should I give it a few more weeks w/the litter training?

**Silverbeat** · #4 03-17-09, 10:46 pm

How many weeks have you been training? I overreacted because Newman had always had perfect litter habits and then all of a sudden he was peeing everywhere in copious amounts.
It may be painful but it certainly won't kill him, and eventually an infection will.

**kotin** · #5 03-17-09, 10:48 pm

I googled "treat rabbit uti" and someone said that they used cranberry pills and his/her rabbit is urinating in the box now. Since cranberry pills are used to treat human UTI, will it work for rabbits? Is it safe?
The link is where I saw this
myLot - Mild UTI Treatment: Cranberry Capsules

**Silverbeat** · #6 03-17-09, 10:53 pm

That would be something to ask your vet about. It's nothing I've ever heard of. Certainly DON'T try to cure him of an ailment that you're not sure he has. See a vet first, then treat him.

**kotin** · #7 03-17-09, 10:57 pm

I've been trying to litter train him for 2.5 weeks. I know some rabbits take longer but I'm worrying because he's not urinating in a corner or one specific spot - it's all over the cage.
I'll probably take him to the vet next month. Thanks for your help!=)

"Thank you, Silverbeat, for this useful post," says:
kotin (03-17-09)