Something Else Going On
In the medical and veterinary world there is a saying “when you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras.” This means that when a veterinarian is presented with a dog showing classical signs of a urinary tract infection, he will treat it as a UTI considering that that’s the most common medical condition seen in dogs manifesting those symptoms however, sometimes they may stumble on the occasional condition that is less common or perhaps even quite rare .
If your dog feels better after taking antibiotics for a UTI , then your vet was right, but if the symptoms persist, then this can be indicative of something else going on.
This conservative think-horse- not-zebra approach is taken based on the chances of what the condition likely is and is also lighter on the dog owner’s wallet, considering that many dog owners may be reluctant to pay for expensive disgnostics or let their dog’s endure more invasive diagnostic tests, especially if they’re unnecessary. However, if your dog doesn’t respond to antibiotics prescribed for a UTI, then this often means that it’s time to do further testing, usually an x-ray or an ultrasound.
Chances Uti Story: The Vigilant Owner = The Happy Ending
While boarding at a dog kennel, Chance got very sick near the end of his stay. His mom rushed home to pick him up, and poor Chance had a fever of 104 degrees.
His mom rushed him to the emergency vet hospital where he was diagnosed with pyelonephritis.
Fortunately, Chance recovered fully, but only after an expensive and extensive stay at the veterinary referral center.
In cases like Chances, the early signs of urinary tract infection can go undetected. But a UTI was sneaking up on him none the less. By the time the more obvious signs cropped up, it was critical that he receive veterinary care. Quick thinking from proactive pet parents like Chances can make the difference.
Gather Your Pets Medical History
After you call your veterinarian, you should prepare any medical documents that may help in diagnosing your pet. If any bloodwork or other diagnostics have been performed in the past, it should be brought to the visit, Cleroux recommends.
If you are going to an emergency clinic or seeing a new vet, bring your pets vaccination history to your appointment along with any other medical records, such as previous diagnostic test results and information on any prescribed medication.
This will allow your veterinarian to have the most complete picture and will help determine the cause, says Tasse.
If you keep up with regular vet visits, your pet should have already been screened for kidney disease as a part of the chemistry panel on her blood work, and these test results provide information that is vital to your vets diagnosis.
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Symptoms Of Blood In The Urine In Dogs
The primary symptom is blood in the urine itself, which can be seen in a range of discoloration, ranging from amber to red, orange or brown. This symptom may or may not be accompanied by abnormally frequent urination, evident abdominal pain or discomfort, and hemorrhages below the skin manifesting themselves as bruises.
However, no other symptoms may be present, and the presence of blood in the urine, depending on its concentration, may not markedly change the color of your dogs urine to the extent that you will notice it. Often, the detection of hematuria only occurs during routine health examinations or testing for another health problem that requires a urinalysis.
There are other possible causes for discolored urine. It is important to note that consumption of beets can cause red-tinted urine, so if the color is the only indicator, be sure that your dog hasnt consumed beets recently.
Treating Hematuria In Dogs
Treatment options for hematuria depend entirely on the cause. Your veterinarian will come up with a treatment plan crafted to your dogs needs, overall health, and any pre-existing conditions.
For more information about hematuria, or if you suspect that your dog might have blood in his urine, contact your veterinarian.
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How Do Unspayed Dogs Behave
Unneutered male dogs exhibit aggressive or excessive behavior towards food and toys, which results in undesirable behaviors. To refuse commands to refuse to come when called to pull on a leash. You may bark or growl at passers-by, or you may fight with other dogs. whining, slamming doors, jumping, roaming, howling
What To Do If Your Dog Has Bloody Urine In Highland And Westville In
The first thing to do, naturally, is to call the veterinarian in Highland and Westville, IN. It is impossible to say without professional medical knowledge and testing what could be causing blood in a dogs urine. It is easy to guess that it could be a common urinary tract infection, but there is no way to say for sure unless a doctor is able to examine the dog and give a proper diagnosis.
Signs of a UTI in dogs include:
- Frequent urination
- Visible or audible pain during urination
- Dripping urine uncontrollably
- A struggle to urinate
- Licking of the genitals
Even if it is just a UTI, a dog with any infection will need medical attention. UTIs that are not professionally seen to can result in a bad infection of the kidneys, and worsen until it becomes life threatening. Dogs with any infection should be taken to a vet and more than likely given antibiotics to help the body fight the infection.
And of course it could be that what appears to be a UTI is in fact something much more serious. Not that a UTI isnt serious, because it is. But a UTI is quite different than potential bladder cancer. If you see any signs of blood in your dogs urine or any behavior indicating pain or difficulty with urination, take them to the vets office, or to an emergency vet if your dog needs immediate care.
They should be seen by a doctor within 24 hours of visible blood.
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Veterinarian Dog Bleeding Complications
There are a number of potential complications that can occur when a dog bleeds, and these can range from mild to life-threatening. If a dog is bleeding heavily, they may go into shock, which can lead to organ failure and death. Other complications include blood loss, anemia, and infection.
During the clotting process, a large number of proteins interact. It is possible that any of these proteins will be deficient, resulting in bleeding disorders. Bleeding disorders can occur at birth or later . Delayed bleeding and bruising deep inside tissues are the most common causes of blood clotting proteins defect. Defects in a single protein are the cause of newborn clotting proteins in domestic animals. When the newborn has normal levels of any clotting protein, he or she may survive, but usually exhibits symptoms of illness before the age of six months. Dysfibrinogenemia has been discovered in a Russian Wolfhound inbred family.
Why Uti Screening May Be Necessary Before A Dog Shows Symptoms
While Bailey wasnt yet showing any symptoms of a urinary tract infection, she did have two caution flags that were not in her favor. I suggested to my client that he take a urine sample to his regular vet just as a preemptive measureto make sure that a UTI wasnt brewing.
Two weeks passed and Baileys dad hadnt noticed any obvious UTI symptoms. Without physical changes, it was hard for the client to have the motivation or a sense of urgency to have Bailey checked. He didnt.
Urinating in the house: A classic sign of a UTI
However, several weeks later, Bailey started urinating in the house. She was both leaking urine and having accidents. The client saw the physical evidence and took it seriously.
He drove Bailey to his regular vet for testing. She was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. With antibiotics for her UTI, Bailey was feeling better quickly.
In sharing Baileys story, my hope is that if your dog has predisposing factors that increase the likelihood of a UTI, you will speak with your vet and consider periodic urinalysis checks for good measure.
Your veterinarian is an excellent resource and will appreciate that youre looking out for your dogs best interests by making early detection a priority.
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Collect A Urine Sample If You Can
Your veterinarian may request that you bring in a sample of your dogs urine. Though its ideal to collect a fresh sample during the appointment, it is often helpful if you can collect a sample at home in case your dogs bladder is empty when you bring her in, recommends Tasse.
In an effort to prevent your pet from urinating on the way into the office, you should either carry her or rein her in on a leash so that she doesnt have a chance to sniff and pee.
How Are Bladder Infections Are Treated In Dogs
Antibiotics are the primary treatment for bladder infections in dogs, although in some cases your vet may recommend anti-inflammatory medications or pain killers depending on the severity and underlying cause.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
If your dog is experiencing pain or other severe symptoms of a bladder infection outside of your vet’s regular hours contact AnimERge emergency animal hospital . Our veterinarians provide New Jersey pets with emergency and specialist care.
Patients
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When To See An Emergency Vet For Blood In Your Dogs Urine
If you see anything out of the ordinary, it is best to call your veterinarian Highland and Westville, IN. However, if your dog has had a traumatic experience that caused this condition, or you believe that they need immediate medical care, its important that you take your dog to an emergency vet.
At Emergency Veterinary Care Centers, our team is available 24/7 so your pet can always receive the care they need. Our vets will get to the root of your dogs condition and will work with you on developing the best treatment plan to help care for the blood in your dogs urine. For more information, or if you want to bring in your pet, contact us at any time. We have 2 convenient locations in Highland and Westville, IN.
Have A Dog Urinary System Question For Our Vet We’ll Answer It For Free
Do you have a Dog urinary system question for our Veterinarian or a Helpful Story to Share? Please include information such as medical history , age, sex, breed, medications your dog is taking, recent changes in behavior , etc. Includes details such as problems urinating and blood in the urine.We will do our best to get back to you quickly . If you do require an immediate response we suggest using this online dog veterinary service that is available now to answer questions over the internet.
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How To Treat A Uti In Female And Male Dogs: Signs And Symptoms Treatment Causes Prevention And More
This content was reviewed by veterinarian Dr. JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM.
To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process.
Urinary tract infections in dogs are caused by bacteria that make their way into the bladder . If your dog is prone to UTIs, you probably feel helpless at times.
What can you give a dog for a urinary tract infection? Is there a dog UTI treatment over the counter? How can you help prevent your dog from getting UTIs? Well answer these questions and more.
Can A Dog Still Bleed After Being Spayed
Image credit: pet-how
In other words, while female dogs can bleed after undergoing spayed surgery, it is usually due to post-operative bleeding. It could be due to ovarian remnant syndrome. If you see any bloodied discharge after your dog has been neutered, you should consult a veterinarian right away.
Spaying your female dog means that she will no longer be able to enter heat or estrus. When females are spayed, they are less likely to experience a high-heat pattern of anxiety and depression. There is also a reduction in the number of behaviors that occur during the female dogs season following the operation.
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Some Medical Conditions May Predispose Dogs To Utis
In addition to the conditions listed above that lead to urine retention, other diseases or anatomical abnormalities also can interfere with the normal defenses of the urinary tract system. This may happen when the condition changes the composition of the urine, damages the urinary tract, alters its function, or suppresses the immune system. As a result, UTIs are more common in dogs with the following conditions:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Ectopic ureters
- Recessed or hooded vulva
- Cancer somewhere in the urinary tract
How Do I Know If My Dog Has A Bladder Infection
The most common signs of bladder infections in dogs include pain or difficulties urinating, blood in urine or in some cases you may notice that your pup is only urinating very small amounts but frequently. Other signs of bladder infections or urinary tract infections include:
- Straining to urinate
- Increased thirst
If your pup is displaying any of the symptoms above it’s time to head to the vet for an examination. Bladder infections and urinary tract infections are very uncomfortable and often painful for your dog. When caught and treated early these infections can often be cleared up quickly and easily.
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When A Dog Peeing Blood Doesnt Have A Uti
Peeing blood is one of the most common signs of a urinary tract infection in dogs. However, it could also be an indication of something more serious like cancer, kidney disease, poisoning, or physical trauma.If your veterinarian has ruled out a UTI with a negative urinalysis and found the urinary tract to be free from stones and obstructions, it is time to look for another cause.
The following conditions can have symptoms very similar to a UTI.
What If The Infection Does Not Clear Up With Treatment
Most infections clear up with treatment. However, if an infection does not clear up, or if you have repeated infections, you may be given some special tests such as:
-
a type of x-ray called an intravenous pyleogram , which involves injecting a dye into a vein and taking pictures of your kidney and bladder
-
an ultrasound exam, which gives a picture of your kidneys and bladder using sound waves
-
a cytoscopic exam, which uses a hollow tube with special lenses to look inside the bladder.
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Recovery Of Blood In The Urine In Dogs
No matter the diagnosis, it is most important to follow the veterinarians instructions for follow-up care and monitoring. If the symptom was determined to be the result of a dietary abnormality, the veterinarian will advise you on an appropriate diet. It is always important to consult the veterinarian before adding a nutritional or vitamin supplement to your dogs diet. No matter the cause, it is important to always have fresh, clean water available and encourage your dog to stay hydrated.
Blood in your dog’s urine could be a symptom of a serious medical condition. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection youll have from unexpected vet costs.
Bloody Urine Warrants A Trip To The Veterinarian
If you notice blood in your pets urine, a trip to the veterinarian is needed. Your veterinarian will want to know how frequently your pet is urinating. Is it more or less than usual? Is your pet straining when trying to urinate? What is the volume of urine producedlarge amounts or just small drops here and there? Do you see drops of blood at the beginning or end of urination, or is the urine bloody throughout? Any chance your pet got into rat bait? Has there been any change in your pets water consumption or appetite, and what food is your pet eating? If you have a male cat that is trying to urinate and is not producing urine, this is an emergency situation and warrants immediate veterinary attention because he could be blockedobstruction of the urethra. In the case of dogs, your veterinarian also will want to know if your pet has been spayed or neutered. A dog that is not spayed may appear to have blood in her urine because she is in heat. Unneutered male dogs can develop benign prostatic hyperplasia an enlarged prostate. while neutered male dogs are at a slightly higher risk of prostate cancer, both of which can contribute to urinary issues.
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What Do I Do If My Dog Is Urinating Blood
If your dog is urinating blood, the first thing to do is to contact your veterinarian immediately and make an appointment, or go to an emergency vet if your general veterinarian is closed.
During the appointment, your veterinarian will attempt to diagnose your dogs condition and may conduct a urinalysis, a urine culture, take an X-ray, or ultrasound your dogs bladder and kidneys. It is important to make an appointment or take your pet to an emergency animal hospital within 24 hours after noticing signs so that your dogs condition can be diagnosed and treated appropriately.
While at the veterinarian, its important to give a thorough history of your dogs health, including a history of signs and symptoms. This information can give your veterinarian clues as to the cause of blood in your dogs urine, and help with a diagnosis and treatment as well.