Strong urine odor

One of my gliders, North, is having a couple possible urinary problems. The biggest issue is that his urine has an extremely strong odor. It's always had a very strong smell but I think it's been getting worse as he grows older.

Making the odor issue a HUGE problem is that he pees in their pouch. I've noticed him doing this since I brought him home at 8 weeks. He deliberately pees in his pouch after he wakes up just before he climbs out. I have also seen him several times playing in the cage only to run back to his pouch, pee in it, and then go back out to play. He also regularly potties out in the cage and on the carpet so it's not a behavior exclusive to his pouch.

Some info that may be helpful... North is 4+ months and is very healthy, happy, active, loves his cagemate, and is bonded to me. Just about a month ago he had a full vet exam where he was found to be very healthy with no signs of disease or infection. He was also neutered around that time and had no complications and a remarkably fast recovery. I kept him on the proven diet from his breeder but switched both boys to Darcy's diet 3 weeks ago both to cater to their food preferences and try to eliminate the urine odor. I wash their pouches in a mild detergent.

North's cagemate, another neutered male of the same age but with different parents, has none of the above mentioned problems. The vet was pretty sure his stinkiness issues would clear up after the neuter but it hasn't improved at all. I change their pouch every evening and it stinks horribly just from them using it for a 24 hour period. I will take him back to the vet for further tests if the problem continues but it seems like there should be a simple solution to this that I'm just not thinking of as a new glider mom.

There could be a few things going on here:

1. He has a Urinary Tract Infection....when he was in for his exam, did the vet do any urine tests (culture and sensitivity)? That would be worth doing if the odor has gotten very bad. Also, what color is his urine? If it's not the usual color, especially if it is very dark, that's another indicator of a UTI. Also, is he hissing when he pees? Hissing when urinating can indicate discomfort when peeing (although not always, my Gizmo hisses and we've had him checked 4 times for a UTI and it always comes back negative).

2. If he's making a point to pee in his pouch (going back in there during playtime), he's either A) marking his territory or B) associated his pouch with the place to pee even when's he out and about. Many gliders will outgrow this as most do not like laying in their own urine.

I'd say a vet check is in order because of the odor. Have him run a urine culture and sensitvity. Also, something to ponder, which might be the case with my own little one...if epitheleal (sp?) cells show up in his tests, it could be indicative of A) an infection which needs to be treated with an antibiotic or B) crystallizations from his kidneys (aka stones) that are tearing a bit at his urinary tract when he's peeing....keep us posted please!

I'm sure he is also marking his pouch every time you wash it, which may be reinforcing his peeing in it. Do you have more than one pouch in the cage, so that he can get his scent in both to some extent, and then alternate which one you wash? Also, what about if you try hanging it out in the fresh air to get some of the smell out of it, and try putting it back without washing it ever time. Maybe that will reduce his wanting to mark it?

[:"green"]The wisest course of action right now would be to get him back in to the vet's for further testing. Strong-smelling urine is oft-times the symptom of a UTI. Do get a urine culture & sensitivity test run. If nothing is found, then you can try switching out pouches, etc. Please keep us updated.
HTH

Some of North's issues are probably a territorial thing but I'm more convinced than ever that he has a UTI and it just was somehow not caught during his tests last month. I'll get him into the vet ASAP this week and hopefully get him on the road to recovery quickly. I was hoping to put some money in my new computer fund this month but with all my recent visits to the dogs' vet and the gliders' vet it looks like I'll be trying to keep my old comp going for a while. My babies are my priority.

Uncontrollable urination can be a symptom of a UTI, along with odor. Either they can't control it...or do so to the point of making themselves VERY ill by retaining it because it hurts to go.

I would get him vet checked to be sure....recheck (or shotgun treat for the possibility) if nothing is found, and symptoms continue or worsen, or he hisses when he pees.

Another member has a glider now who showed no symptoms until the day he had held it in SO long, his bladder prolapsed (came out the cloaca...see HERE. )

I have a new rescue that apparently has had a UTI for nearly 3 YEARS.

So I would say a vet check is in order. Usually when our instincts prompt us to ask the question...there is a reason, whether it's something we can put our finger on or not. If nothing else, it can provide peace of mind. An unneutered male can produce stronger smelling urine than a neutered one...but unless the cage is dirty, it shouldn't be really offensive or overpowering. My guys were on Darcy's for 2 years, and never had an offensive urine smell. Esp. if this is a recent change...I'd have a vet check. Keep us updated, and I hope this helps.

I took a sample into the vet today for urinalysis. He's going to call me tomorrow to let me know if he's just going to prescribe meds or if North needs to come in for a full exam and further tests.

North began a two week treatment with Clavamox today. Hopefully he'll be feeling better and won't be stinking up the joint soon. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for the update.... fingers crossed that is will help make him all better and you happy that you don't have to deal with the stinkys <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I gather that the vet did find something? I would be interested in knowing what the vet had to say (we all learn from this forum, and cases vary). I do hope he improves for you! Keep us updated.

I'll admit that I was so anxious to get the medicine home so I could get North dosed up that I didn't have any in-depth conversation with the vet. He just said that it's a bladder infection.