I have a female guinea pig and while handling her on a white towel one day, recently, I noticed that her urine was reddish orange. I am concerned, but I don't want to take her to the vet if this is normal. Could she be in heat? Am I giving her too many carrots? Could she have a kidney stone from all of the spinach I was feeding her before? These are the questions I have been pondering... if anyone has had this experience, let me know!
2006-10-10 01:56:11 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
This sometimes happens with diet if she is eating strong coloured veg like spinach, carrots or beetroot. It may be an infection but if she if eating and healthy I would not be too worried.
I have kept Guinea pigs for nearly 50 years and I have seen this in both sexes without it causeing any problems.
2006-10-10 02:14:07 · answer #1 · answered by stevehart53 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Red urine is not actually a disease or a problem, although it is a very common cause of concern with guinea pig owners. It is natural to think that if you're seeing red, it must mean there's blood in the urine. Fortunately, that is not usually the case. Most cases of red-colored urine are due to the presence of a plant pigment called porphyrin. This is completely normal and is not a reason to be concerned. In most guinea pigs, the yellow color will return within a couple of days. It is possible that some guinea pigs eating the same food will have red urine and others will have the normal yellow urine. Interestingly, there are more cases of red urine in the fall and early winter.
If the urine doesn't return to its normal color, or if there are other signs that something is wrong (not eating, not drinking, listless, behavior changes, etc.) you should have your guinea pig's urine evaluated by an experienced guinea pig-savvy vet. By testing the urine, the vet will be able to tell you if blood is present.
2006-10-10 04:37:11 · answer #2 · answered by Kellye B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, It could be one of two things:
1. Did you feed a LOT of carrots, or did you feed dandelions, beets, tomatoes, or anything else red to your piggy?
2. it *could* be a bladder infection or a UTI, but not likely - the blood would be flacks in the urine, not coloring the whole amount
GP urine is generally clear to milky-white. If it does not clear up in a day or two (quit feeding so many carrots :-) ), I would seek out a good exotics vet. DO NOT just go to a dog/cat doctor, as they are not properly trained. A great question to ask a potential vet is: What medication should you NEVER give a gp? The answer is: any penecillin-based drug.
2006-10-10 08:42:24 · answer #3 · answered by AJewel_3469 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As other have stated it may be food related which is sometime the case, but it is better to be safe than sorry,Please keep in mind these people have loads of piggy experience. You should see a vet, you either have a Urinary tract infection, or crystals. I belong to Have-A-Heart Guinea pig rescue we have placed over 1500 piggies in forever home, we see this all the time, if it is just an infection the vet will give you baytril it will clear it up in a few day. Stone take a bit longer,(I will not get into stones for this question) better a vat explain that to you. If she is under six months she should be getting alfalfa hay, over six month she should be getting timothy hay. Alfalfa can cause crystal in older piggies, the pet stores do not tell you this when they give you your piggy,
Try this link for piggy care
http://www.guinealynx.info/
Piggy do not come into heat,as other animals do all you need in a male to mount them,
2006-10-11 04:27:51 · answer #4 · answered by pinkpiggies336 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quick - Check the transmission fluid. Just kidding. The color you're seeing could be from an infection, or there could be blood in the urine (which can mean a serious problem). Seek out a vet quickly, but don't fret, guniea pigs have a strong constitution.
2006-10-10 02:04:32 · answer #5 · answered by macosby2003 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
shes just in heat mne does the same thing and my neighbor is a vet and says its normal
2006-10-10 02:04:59 · answer #6 · answered by peachypeach746 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would atleast call the vet and ask about it, it doesnt sound normal at all
2006-10-10 02:00:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
http://www.ahc.umn.edu/rar/MNAALAS/GPig.html
http://www.2ndchance.info/guineapigcare.htm
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/guineapigs/a/gp101.htm
You may have to email these sites to get your problem addressed. It sounds like kidney problems to me.
Good luck!!
2006-10-10 02:07:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be a uti or bladder infection
2006-10-10 04:45:43 · answer #9 · answered by mama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if i were you i would definently get her to the vet
2006-10-10 02:13:39 · answer #10 · answered by LACEY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋