Rusty orange urine that is fresh?

[Josie_lg]

Hi all over the last couple of days I have noticed that one of my piggies has been peeing a dark rusty orange colour that is fresh-not dried as I know dry orange pee is normal. I’m currently separating them to see who is weeing this colour. But all of them are fine in themselves etc. We have just had some cold rainy days and it’s now much warmer out. Is it the weather. Could it be a sigh of a urinary infection? Can this happen when piggies are in heat as two of mine are in a very strong heat right now and I wondered if it could be hormones? I’ll insert a picture of the wee.
I have another piggie who has been being treated for urinary issues. So this is a worry for me xx

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

It is impossible for us to tell the cause without being able to test the urine; there are a number of things that can lead to rusty urine; the majority on the benign side. If you have any concerns, please see a vet for a hands-on examination.

 

[Josie_lg]

Hi!

It is impossible for us to tell the cause without being able to test the urine; there are a number of things that can lead to rusty urine; the majority on the benign side. If you have any concerns, please see a vet for a hands-on examination.

Hiya thank you. I’ve found the culprit I think and I will keep a close eye on her. And will maybe try to catch a wee sample.
do you know if oxidisation only occurs once the wee has dried or if it can happen whilst still wet and exposed to air ? Xx

 

[Claire W]

Oxidisation can happen whilst the urine is still wet and exposed to the air. I once had a piggy who weed rusty orange urine and my vet said it was oxidisation although it could have been caused by the specific friendly bacteria that was in her bladder at the time. The urine was tested though before that was confirmed

 

[Wiebke]

Hiya thank you. I’ve found the culprit I think and I will keep a close eye on her. And will maybe try to catch a wee sample.
do you know if oxidisation only occurs once the wee has dried or if it can happen whilst still wet and exposed to air ? Xx

Oxidation happens from the moment the pee comes into contact with air. On a surface, where urine cannot wick away through a fleece layer or into a towel and dry there but sits in a puddle, the discolouration will be more obvious.

 

[Josie_lg]

Oxidisation can happen whilst the urine is still wet and exposed to the air. I once had a piggy who weed rusty orange urine and my vet said it was oxidisation although it could have been caused by the specific friendly bacteria that was in her bladder at the time. The urine was tested though before that was confirmed

Oh wow thank you! I am fortunate to work in a vet practice so will try and get a urine sample and test it tomorrow hopefully! Thank you for your helpful advice xx

 

[Josie_lg]

Oxidation happens from the moment the pee comes into contact with air. On a surface, where urine cannot wick away through a fleece layer or into a towel and dry there but sits in a puddle, the discolouration will be more obvious.

Oh wow that makes so much more sense! I’ve only been seeing it the last couple of days. And the first few were on our new fleecey blankets that weren’t very absorbent-the weather turned very cold here so they needed extra warmth. And then today it was on one of their cool pads (weather has literally changed overnight it’s crazy) so I’ve only seen it on materials that aren’t absorbent!