Blood in Urine

[Spock]

Hello--Ernie, my six-month eastern male gray, has blood in his urine this morning. I have changed his diet and he is eating the homemade squirrel blocks, some veggies and some fruit daily. He has an occassional nut--and has eaten some bits of orange for the first time.

He is acting 100 percent normal--playing, happy, running, climbing. He has been outside in his cage for several hours a day. He has a light which we just got this weekend.

So, what should I do. I have been giving him some cranberries. He eats just a few bites. Should I put vit. c in his water.

I do not have a local vet to take him to. Does this sound like a bladder infection? He drinks regularly--fresh water.

Homeopathic remedies for bladder infection? OTC meds for infection? Thanks for the help!

[4skwerlz]

Has he been eating acorns?

[Spock]

No acorns....he ate a two chestnuts within the last 12 hours. That's new. No other noticeable symptoms at this point. He's as happy as a lark so far. He seems to drip urine around anyway. I'll keep watching for symptoms....maybe it's the chestnuts!

[4skwerlz]

Perhaps it could be the chestnuts???? This was Henry's pee just a couple of hours after eating some acorns...
65637

Keep an eye on him though. Watch for frequency, straining, or general symptoms of not feeling well.

[4skwerlz]

Other foods that can cause red/orange urine: blueberries, blackberries, beets, rhubarb, carrots, winter squash. Asparagus can urine to turn brownish, with a sharp odor as well.

[Spock]

Thanks for your help so far! I am absolutely sure that it is bloody urine. I can tell by the odor--just smells like blood. It is bright red in small drops. I will change his bedding and put in some white sheets so I can see what happens this evening. I am giving him Vit. C in his water and some cranberries and am going to withhold all treats. Just going with the squirrel cookies. He is acting normal so far.

I did email Mars to try her ideas. Thanks again! I'll keep you posted.

[pfukuda]

FYI- Watermelon can temporarily dye a Squirrels urine red! I had the same concern one day... My healthy, energetic male squirrel was dripping "Blood" all over the house. I immediately called the Squirrel vet to make an appointment, but it was 2 days away. I immediately changed his tap water to Bottled water! (I know, right?) Then I thought about his diet, activities, what was different in his diet? Nothing, except the different type of watermelon my husband purchased from the local grocery store. It was the round type vs: the oblong type we usually purchase. The round type has a darker pink inside than the oblong type. I immediately discontinued this round type of melon, and within 24 hours, urine was completely normal again. I swear though, the drops on the floor looked dark, just like blood. Thank goodness is was just the watermelon. I still give him regular watermelon, he loves it.

[Al's mom]

I think someone else metioned that chestnuts produced red urine, but I could be wrong. Keep an eye on the little guy and watch what you are feeding him, hope it all works out!

[heidiann]

I know that everyone else has told you this can be a deception, but I just want to add to that too.
I was SURE one of my squirrels had bloody urine. SURE OF IT! Freaking out!:eek: But it was the acorns. :shakehead Concentrated Blood Red pee pee! It stoped within days of adhering to a strict diet w/o them so I was able to tell what was going on.
It may seem to smell like blood, but could you be mistaken because of your fear.:thinking I hope that's the case. I wish you the best and my prayers.

[Sciurus1]

As the other members noted, acorns, which are high in tannins cause pee to be this color. I thought that Chestnuts must be high in Tannins, which as one member proposed was a likely cause. So I looked that up online, and here is what I found.
SIDE EFFECTS: Stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting and dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor promptly. This product may produce a harmless, red discoloration of urine.

So unless the red color persists over the next 48 hours, being sure not to feed him chestnuts of course, this seems to be the cause of the red pee. If though it doesn't go away, or dilute in color at least, then it might actually be a bladder infection, which is treatable by your Vet.

[Spock]

Just to follow up on Ernie.....THANK YOU for all you input and advice. I have been watching him very closely. His urine is now clear again after 2-3 days. After reading the last post, I am going to assume that it was the chestnuts which is such a relief compared to a bladder infection.

I swear it was blood--smelled like it, looked like it, etc. I'm just glad it's back to the nice, clear color!!!!

Again....thanks a bunch. I wouldn't know where to turn without this board!

[digiandchipper]

So happy to hear things are back to normal!!! :thumbsup

[Al's mom]

yay! glad he is doing better:thumbsup

[robert574]

Perhaps it could be the chestnuts???? This was Henry's pee just a couple of hours after eating some acorns...
65637

Keep an eye on him though. Watch for frequency, straining, or general symptoms of not feeling well.

This is exactly what my grey squirrel's pee looks like after I fed him some acorns. I think it looks like a red wine stain. I sure was worried that it was blood, but it looks exactly like the pictures here.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Robert, this time of year it’s a common occurrence. Many people panic the first time they see acorn urine. The tannins in the acorns cause the urine to turn pink or red.

Welcome to The Squirrel Board :)