Change in sleeping behaviour

[RolyRocks]

Hi
My 16 month old dwarf Loki has been an Baytril for a week for intermittent discoloured urine (cause unknown). My vet advised giving him this for 3-4 weeks. The last couple of days I have noticed when I lift his wooden house lid off he is sleeping on top of the bedding rather than snuggled underneath. I wouldn't say it is overly hot at the moment so I am wondering why he may be doing this as he has always burrowed underneath the substrate. Is this change in behaviour abnormal for dwarfs? My vet did say the discoloured urine could possible indicate that something may be going on internally... would any of you investigate further or just continue with the Baytril? I am obviously worried about my little guy.
Thanks x

[Ria P]

I don't think it unusual for dwarfs to sleep in different places, some of ours do that and not something i've ever worried about.

I was in a similar situation with Henry who was passing blood on and off. The vet suspected bladder stones because the Baytril didn't fix it and Metacam turned out to be more effective. Henry was on Metacam until he died at 22 months.

The vet said that he could do a scan but because Henry was already elderly and losing weight rapidly, surgery would have been too risky. I decided against a scan because it wouldn't have changed the outcome.

I think it partly depends on Loki's overall fitness and condition. If the vet thinks that he'd be fit enough for surgery should he have an operable tumor or bladder stones for example then it may be worthwhile to investigate further.

What did the vet advise?

[RolyRocks]

Originally Posted by Ria P

I think it partly depends on Loki's overall fitness and condition. If the vet thinks that he'd be fit enough for surgery should he have an operable tumor or bladder stones for example then it may be worthwhile to investigate further.
What did the vet advise?

Thank you Ria.
Loki is currently a good weight and appears well in himself. My vet said if he starts to lose weight or stops eating/drinking then we can discuss what to do next. She advised trying the Bayril first but for a longer period of time. Do they have any other symptoms with bladder stones? My vet didn't mention this condition but I wonder now whether a scan would be worthwhile to check for this. Was it obvious that Henry's urine was definitely blood as Loki's tends to be more dark orange, although a couple of times it has looked more reddish.