What is Excess Thirst?
Excessive drinking, or drinking more than is typical (known as polydipsia) has a variety of possible causes. A rabbit with polydipsia will likely have polyuria, or excess urine, as an increase in thirst and an increase in water output will often go hand-in-hand. It is important to determine the cause of your rabbit’s excess thirst in order to treat any underlying disease processes that may be present.
Excess thirst in rabbits is also called polydipsia and is considered the intake of water that is above and beyond what is usual to see in a healthy rabbit.
Symptoms of Excess Thirst in Rabbits
You will notice that your rabbit is drinking more water than usual; a situation like this should always be evaluated by a veterinary professional. Typical water intake is 50-150 ml/kg/day; should your rabbit be drinking more than that it may be a sign of a problem. In addition to watching to see if your rabbit’s water bowl is emptied more quickly than usual, you will want to watch your rabbit’s urine output (120-130 ml/kg/day is typical) to see if it has increased or decreased and if there is any change in color. Additional symptoms will depend upon the underlying cause of your rabbit’s excess thirst. It is a good idea to note any changes you have seen in your rabbit so you can easily describe the differences to your veterinarian.
Types
Excessive thirst could be due to dehydration, or when accompanied with excess urine output, an underlying medical condition. An increase in your rabbit’s urination will trigger the brain to signal thirst. Conversely, excess thirst and fluid intake will lead to an increase in urination.
Causes of Excess Thirst in Rabbits
There are a variety of possible causes for your rabbit’s excess thirst, therefore it is important to have your rabbit evaluated by a veterinarian to determine whether there is an issue. Possible causes include:
- Increase in thirst due to hot temperatures
- Diabetes or insulinoma (a pancreatic tumor)
- Dehydration (in cases of dehydration, urine output will typically decrease)
- Kidney disease (to include bladder stones, where mineral deposits are formed in the urinary tract).
- Liver disease
- Drugs or large quantities of sodium chloride
- Behavior issues (your rabbit may be marking territory, for example)
Diagnosis of Excess Thirst in Rabbits
The veterinarian will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine what is causing the polydipsia in your rabbit. You should be prepared to discuss what you have seen in regards to changes in your rabbit’s water intake and urine output. Blood tests and urinalysis will be conducted in order to determine your rabbit’s kidney and liver function, as well as whether there is excess blood glucose (typical in diabetes). Should your veterinarian suspect bladder or kidney stones, she may recommend radiographs or ultrasonography. If this is the case your rabbit will likely have to be sedated and stay for the day at the hospital or clinic for observation after the procedure.
Treatment of Excess Thirst in Rabbits
How your rabbit will be treated for his excess urination will depend upon its cause. Below are some possible causes for your rabbit’s polydipsia along with what the veterinarian will consider for treatment.
Diabetes
Your veterinarian will look to treat the underlying cause. Often treatment will involve your rabbit losing weight and a change to a healthier diet (that includes hay and vegetables and eliminates foods with a lot of carbohydrates) may be recommended. Insulin is not necessary; rabbits can maintain their health with an appropriate diet.
Bladder Stones
Your veterinarian will consider surgery or a change in the diet of your rabbit.
Kidney and Liver Disease
Your rabbit may need to be hospitalized in order to receive fluid therapy, which can aid liver and kidney function. Your veterinarian will likely further examine your rabbit to see if his condition can be reversed.
Recovery of Excess Thirst in Rabbits
The recovery of your rabbit will depend upon the cause of his increased thirst. You will want to follow the treatment plan recommended by your veterinarian.
There are things you can do for your rabbit to help prevent the possibility of disease that can lead to excess thirst. These include:
- Providing a safe, secure and non-stressful environment for your rabbit which offers shelter and an area for exercise; it should also offer your rabbit places to hide, material to nest in, toys, wood to chew, soil to dig in, etc.
- Providing, clean, fresh water in a bowl that is large enough for a full day’s worth of water
- Ensuring your rabbit has a healthy diet
- Taking your rabbit for an overall check-up once a year, as well as anytime you notice anything unusual with him (changes in appetite, drinking, urination or activity, hair loss, changes in hair coat, etc)
- Avoiding overcrowding in your rabbit’s environment
Excess Thirst Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
My rabbit has been sneezing lately and I've noticed he's drinking a lot more water than normal these past few days. Other than these two things he seems perfectly healthy.
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Rabbit is drinking what I think is a lot not sure if it is though,she’s eating fine is very active in the day as she has free roam of the flat,she seems to be fine in herself just a little worried,no excess urine seems to be normal
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My parents have a floppy-eared rabbit, I’m not sure of the breed. He has been drinking more water than normal for a couple of days. Now his back left leg is raw and irritated from the urine because he’s not moving around as much. My parents gave him a bath and that seemed to provide temporary relief. We had a hard time finding a vet in our area that treats rabbits. We took him to an emergency vet hospital last night that said they treat rabbits. They didn’t run any tests but just gave us pain meds and antibiotics. We are concerned as this is not addressing the root cause. Patches still eats and has also still has normal bowel movements.
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Hello all. I currently work at a veterinary practice but my boss who sees small animals is not in until Friday. I just got a rabbit who’s about 9 weeks old I got off craigslist...he looked healthy and doctor said he was healthy. I gave him revolution to treat any fleas or ear mites he might have, gave the right dosage as the doctor said. I’m concerned that my bunny is drinking A LOT of water..just sits at the water bottle and drinks and drinks. I was reading online this could be caused by the romaine lethuce and cilianto I have been giving him? It’s a very small amount but ever since I gave him these he’s been at the water bottle. Is there any advice you could give me to keep him comfortable until Friday? I know I need to get him rechecked.
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my lop earred rabbit has been drinking water way more than usual. in the last couple of days we noticed a wet spot on the rug twice. we have 2 bunnies so we are not sure which it is. but we haven't seen a little wet spot since we first got our 2nd rabbit the first week he was here. it's almost a year since then. she is eating normally and pooping normally. what could be causing it? she seems fine in every other way. 😕
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