Brown reddish urine

[Elaka22]

My fox squirrels urine is a reddish brown and he has not been eating acorns. He has though been eating blueberries and walnuts. Help please

[SophieSquirrel]

Ask for Multistix at your local pharmacy

Use the 6th block from the top and compare with the chart to identify the one that says "blood". Dip felt "blood" block in urine drop, wait 60 seconds, then check chart to see if blood is indicated. I have a squirrel friendly vet in Houston if you need one. Please post details on your squirrels diet.

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[Diggie's Friend]

Is your fox squirrel an adult female perhaps? If so your squirrel may be in heat.

Walnuts, like acorns, also contain tannins that can turn the color of urine brownish.

Blueberries also have pigmentation that may combine with the pigmentations from tannins in walnuts.


It is worth getting test strips to check to see if it is perhaps another issue.

These strips are great to keep an eye on how your squirrel is doing health wise, as these animals commonly cover how they feel when not well.

Testing the urine pH alone can support the need for a possible correction in the diet, which down the line may make a big difference in the health and longevity of your squirrel.

Mission testing strips are available online on Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Urine-Strips-Mission-Parameter-Urinalysis/dp/B01KMS7GKQ/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1527721204&sr=8-5&keywords=mission+urine+test+strips

[PennyCash]

Having had a girl who urinated shades of pink and red for years let me try to ease some concern for you. Maybe even save you the thousands that I spent going to vets to figure it out. With every strip testing positive for blood. It was extremely scary.
After much personal research I stumbled upon the fact that Fox squirrels can have reddish urine from porphyrins which are what give blood it's red color. It's a genetic thing that has been passed down for eons. So much so that they can tell which bones (fossils) by they're pink glow. Here's a link that explains a bit of the scientific.
https://curioussciencewriters.org/2014/04/30/fox-squirrels-gunthers-disease/
https://vmnhpaleontology-wordpress-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/vmnhpaleontology.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/squirrel/amp/?amp_js_v=a1&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCCAE%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fvmnhpaleontology.wordpress. com%2F2012%2F02%2F29%2Fsquirrel%2F

[Diggie's Friend]

I agree that this can happen, yet over 11 years our foxer didn't have red or brown urine save just a couple times to my recollection. Yet when one vet we saw did an examine by holding our squirrel upside down in their hands, repeatedly squeezing to check for tumors, I saw red tears appear and made the vet unhand her. The vet wasn't happy with me, but did respect my wishes not to do an exam in this way again. Our next vet didn't see the need to handle our squirrel that way, but left her on her feet with me restraining her, reaching under her to palpate her underside.

[PennyCash]

I agree that this can happen, yet over 11 years our foxer didn't have red or brown urine save just a couple times to my recollection. Yet when one vet we saw did an examine by holding our squirrel upside down in their hands, repeatedly squeezing to check for tumors, I saw red tears appear and made the vet unhand her. The vet wasn't happy with me, but did respect my wishes not to do an exam in this way again. Our next vet didn't see the need to handle our squirrel that way, but left her on her feet with me restraining her, reaching under her to palpate her underside.

I just know that I'm no longer as worried about the color of urine without UTI symptoms along with blood cells showing microscopically.
I applaud your composure with that vet, honestly I'm not sure I'd have maintained mine in such a situation.