My rat is peeing blood????!!!?

Question

my rat skye, is weeing red stuff (i assume it's blood)!!

my cousins rat had this aswell and he died of it! i'm taking her to the vets tomorrow morning but i'd like to know whats wrong with her!!

plllleeeeeaaaaaaasssssseeeeeeeee help!

she is my very first and favourite rat and she is only one and a halff!!!!

Answer 1

you know whats wrong with her tomorrow at the vets.

Answer 2

well if its a girl it may be having a peirod i know my unkels dog dos the same thing

Answer 3

take her to the vet asap maybe she is suffering

Answer 4

It may have a bladder inflamation in which case the vet should have antibiotics for little Skye that will help her to get all better. Just keep an eye on her until you can get her to the vets office.

Answer 5

Sounds to me like a uti.

Urinary Tract Infections (lower)

Back to Urinary / Renal

Definition

An inflammation of the bladder (cystitis), or urethra (urethritis). The lower urinary tract consists of the urethra and the bladder.

Clinical Signs

May observe any of the following:

Unusual frequency in urination

Dampness of fur from urine around perineum

A firm and/or distended bladder

Blood or porphyrin in the urine

Foul smelling or cloudy urine

Note: Any rat showing clinical signs of a urinary tract infection requires immediate attention by veterinarian.

Etiology

Urinary tract infections can be caused by one or more of the following:

bacteria

fungal infections

parasites e.g.; bladder threadworm

The urinary tract, except for at the urethral o*****e (the opening to outside the body), is normally a sterile environment free of pathogens. Infections to the urinary tract are caused by the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Some of the organisms (in most cases bacteria) responsible are often found to be normal intestinal or fecal flora, such as E. coli and klebsiella, or mycoplasma found in the reproductive system.

Bacteria may gain entrance to the urethra and bladder through an ascending infection from outside the body. If the infection is left untreated it can move up to the ureters to involve the kidneys (pyelonephritis). Bacteria that is already present in the bloodstream, may also gain access to kidneys, ureters, and bladder through what is called a descending infection.

Mechanisms of the urinary tract help to oppose infections. The urine itself is bacteriostatic and bactericidal to many pathogens. The normal pH level of urine and the osmolality of urine help to inhibit bacterial growth. The unobstructed urine stream also helps to wash pathogens from the bladder and out through the urethra. The bladder wall, too, is a defense mechanism helping to prevent bacteria from entering the blood or lymph.

Any changes that occur in these defense mechanisms such as in a pH that is more alkaline can result in a negative effect of its antibacterial activity. Also any obstruction that may block the flow of urine, such as stones or congenital abnormalities, can cause the urine to “dam up”. This not only sets up an environment for bacteria to grow, but constitutes and emergency since partial or incomplete obstruction can result in the dilation of the kidneys (hydronephrosis), or if complete obstruction, renal failure and death.

Factors that can predispose the rat to developing urinary tract infections and increasing the chance of recurring or chronic infection are:

any disorder that suppresses the immune system e.g.; diabetes

congenital (from birth) abnormalities of the urinary tract, e.g.; diverticula of the bladder or a pouching that allows urine to remain stasis.

blockages in the urinary tract such as stones (uroliths, calculi, crystals)

inability to maintain hygiene

Treatment

For information pertaining to medications refer to the Rat Medication Guide.

The following are a list of some of the recommended antimicrobials based on urine culture:

Trimethoprim-sulfa (E. coli, klebsiella, staphylococcus)

Tetracycline (klebsiella, staphylococcus)

Augmentin/Clavamox (E.coli, group D streptococcus)

Enrofloxacin/Baytril (E. coli, pseudomonas, mycoplasma)

Fenbendazole, or Ivermectin (bladder threadworm)

Chronic or persistant infection may require long term antimicrobial therapy

Nursing Care

Encourage fluids.

Refill drinking bottles daily with fresh water.

Continue course of antibiotic therapy as prescribed.

Cranberry juice may be given, however do not substitue this for fresh water, but rather give in addition too.

It is believed that cranberry juice is helpful in lowering the pH of urine, but large quantities would have to be taken to do so. Rather, studies have shown that the chemical in cranberries and cranberry juice can inhibit bacteria like E.coli from sticking to the mucosal surface of the bladder and allow the bacteria to be flushed out with the passing of urine.

See:

Cranberries help cystitis

Cranberry juice: University of Iowa Health Science Relations

Offer yogurt, Lactobacillus capsules/granules, or Bene-bac , while taking antibiotics, to help maintain normal gut flora.

Observe and contact veterinarian if infection does not resolve or if worsens.

Answer 6

Could be a bladder or kidney infection, you are going to the vet, so that is the right thing to do.

It is not a period, rats are not like dogs.

One and a half is quite old for a rat.  She is certainly middle aged.  I had a rat that lived 4+ years, but this is quite rare.

Make sure she is eating and drinking, and see what the vet says.

Answer 7

She probably has a urinary track infection.  There are other causes of blood in urine for rats as well.  There might be a problem/infection of her kidneys (kidney/bladder stones), or possible infestation of bladder threadworm.

"Trichosomoides crassicauda (bladder threadworm), found in wall of bladder. It can migrate to the lungs. Transmission is through eggs in the urine and can be passed from doe to offspring. Causes irritation to bladder, with resulting dysuria."

Here's a great site regarding blood in urine involving rats: http://ratguide.com/health/urinary_renal...

If your vet is unfamiliar with rat illnesses, you can print out that page which discusses the correct meds and whatnot.

As a side note: rats only live to 2-4 years, so being 1.5 years is actually starting to get up there.  Only living 2 years is not infrequent for rats.

Hope that helps!

Answer 8

Wait until tommorow and see what the doctor says.