Mystery in the Rabbit Colony
Yesterday morning when I went out to feed the rabbits I noticed some blood on the straw in several places and also up the ramp to the feeder hutch. The blood seemed diluted, not bright red and thick and sticky but kind of like blood in urine, only too colorful for that. It was also on the three senior does, in a stream, almost as if they'd been peed on. I picked them each up and gave them a good look but didn't see anything amiss. I also checked out the senior buck, and he looked fine. The kits are hard to catch without a treat to distract them, so I just observed them all for a while. Everyone seemed fine.
It snowed all day yesterday. This morning there was lots of color on the snow in the rabbit colony. It's orange, though, not red. Clearly not blood. We can't figure out what it is. We didn't notice it when we fed the rabbits yesterday evening, because the snow was still falling and covering everything up. It isn't seeping up from the earth, because we dug down a bit and the snow gets white underneath. It isn't dripping from trees because it's in places incongruent with that theory.
Strangest of all: although the orange pigment is located mostly inside the colony, it does cross the fence line in about three places. In one place it extends about six feet away from the fence line (going downhill). The *only* theory we can come up with that is even remotely plausible is that they've chewed up some root and then thrown up and their saliva or stomach acid is colored orange. They'd have to be able to spit a fairly long stream, though. We didn't find any root or bark bits in the orange, either. Whatever it is, it's awfully strange. The rabbits seem happy as little clams so we're just waiting and watching.
Labels: rabbits
posted by Leslie @ 8:53 AM
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I don't know how it would end up on the other side of the fence, but is it possible they ate something that discolored their urine?
I wonder if it could be snow algae? The color on the bunnies and the ramp might be due to them tracking it in.
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plaug98.htm
That's just downright bizarre. Maybe it's the chupacabra.
Caroline, that's exactly what it looks like, but would they pee so far? And would one of the rabbits spray the senior does?
Wayne, I don't think so for a couple of reasons. First, I noticed it *before* we had snow (on the straw and on the ramp going to the food hutch) and second, the stuff on the ramp to the food hutch was clearly drops - round circles of wet color with "splatter" marks. Like little sunbursts, sort of.
Ernest, maybe it is the chupacabra. It is SO weird.
I really appreciate the ideas, you guys. It helps me think of things I'd not yet considered.
That was an interesting link, BTW, Wayne. I have to ponder the statement:
There are unconfirmed reports that consuming "generous quantities" of pink snow may cause diarrhea..
Who in their right mind would consume generous quantities of pink snow??? Pink snow seems better than dying of thirst, if you're in a pinch, I suppose.
Some blog somewhere last winter had a post about this very thing. As I remember, it is bunny urine, which gets colored by some hormonal or dietary change. I doubt that I'll ever find the post, but it is one i visit regularly. I'll keep looking.
A good myster is fun. I googled 'orange rabbit urine' and it seems that it does happen and it is OK. Why it is so far outside the cage is a mystery. Maybe they have contests. :) .. just kidding.
Maybe the make a quick turn and kick up their heels mid stream.
Pablo, you have a good memory. I don't know why I didn't think of google, as UA did. I google stuff all the time. Apparently red, orange, or even brownish urine is very common in rabbits and while usually brought on by dietary change can also be triggered by a sudden cold snap. We've had a cold snap *and* I put out a new straw bale in the colony to deal with all the mud from the rains we've been having, and the rabbits have been munching on it like crazy. They munch on straw and ignore their lovely hay. Go figure.
Mystery solved, thanks you bunch of super-sleuths!
This was a hare raising mystery. The urine outside the cage would be from ??? ... maybe visiting wild rabbits?
Tomrabbits?
Hi Leslie-
I've seen my rabbits turn the snow that color too...I had assumed it was due to the feed change..I had been adding some sweet feed during the cold weather when it happened a few years ago. It contained some corn. I always figured it was from the corn, had no idea it could happen from a cold snap!
Certainly gives you a scare...
I just wandered in because of your last summer's tomato posts . . . but I wanted to answer your question about eating generous quantities of pink snow, lol. It actually tastes good, a little like watermelon as the name implies. I would NOT have thought of eating it on my own--I'm not that stupid--but a mountaineer friend introduced me to its pleasures. Hasn't seemed to harm me in moderation.
FC I've been watching this and apparently the senior buck sprays his territory much like a tom cat does. The buck also rubs his "cheeks" on areas to leave his scent, much like a tom cat does.
Cyndy, it apparently happens due to very minor "stressors" and one rabbit can be affected while the neighbor is not. Yes, scary, until you know better.
Simpleton, I'm glad you wandered in. That would have to be one very trusted friend for me to sample the pink snow. AND I'd have to see them eat it first.
I have wild rabbits around my house and have this same orangish spray. Originally i thought it was a skunk, but after studying the tracks in the snow and their poop irealized it was a rabbit or rabbits, but still didnt know what the orange spray was.
I was baffled by the orangish spray because it seemed to be sprayed away from the tracks, so this thread was dead on and when i saw the pics i knew i found the right place.
I actually want to get rid of the bunnies around my house, i don't like them rumaging through my landscape.
oh my goshy. i am having this exact same problem with my colony of rabbit. (singular--i only have one rabbit and she is a dwarf one). so anyhooo, she is having this orange urine ailment. i am not sure what it is either. at first, i thought she got into some koolaid, but that is not the case. i tried to ask her, but she had no valuable input. let me know if anything comes up. u guys are great!!
Rabbits are known for sometimes having colored urine, it's nothing to worry about. They also spray like cats so that would explain the urine on the other rabbit's fur. Google: House Rabbit Society to find out everything you ever wanted to know about rabbits.
Yes, I've since seen the buck flinging his pee around. He can really shoot it out! Those poor does, he must really like them because they are always just filthy and bedraggled looking, thanks to his "attentions".
I hadn't considered reading info on house rabbits, thinking it wouldn't apply, but I did Google "House Rabbit Society" and WOW this is definitely something worth looking into! Thanks for the suggestion.
well it deffinately werent sick cos i heard that rabits cant physicly be sick. something to do with their organs and nothing comes up jus goes through and down
Ok, I raise rabbits, and this is what is going on.
A rabbit's urine becomes strange colors due to his diet. Usually involving too much or too little calcium. It is outside of the fence because buck's spray - and they can spray far. No need to worry. Just tweak your rabbit's diet around and the problem should resolve.
I am 99% confident that this is your problem.
Anon, thank you for your comments! You are 100% correct in your analysis. I've seen this phenomenon several times since I originally posted this, and it's a very common thing with rabbits. Usually diet but possibly stress can trigger this. The stressor can be mild, even just a cold snap can cause orange urine at times.
That buck can really spray a LONG way!
Males spray. so thats how it go on the other side of the fence. The color is due to the veggies they are eatinh
Nope can't be vomit since rabbits cannot throw up. It could be just their pee. Sometimes it is that colour :)
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