As a dog parent, one of the things you always hope you’ll never see is blood in your dog’s pee. But, unfortunately, it’s not an uncommon problem. While it can be scary, the good news is that it’s usually treatable. A few things can cause blood in a dog’s urine, ranging from minor infections to more severe conditions like cancer.
Fortunately, the cause is usually relatively harmless and can be easily treated with medication. If you notice blood in your dog’s urine, the best thing to do is to take your dog to the vet for a check-up. That way, you can get a proper diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons your precious pup could pee blood.
Common Causes Why There Is Blood in A Dog’s Urine
Urinary Tract Infections
While most dog owners are diligent about keeping their dog’s nails trimmed and their coat brushed, many don’t realize that their dog’s urinary health is just as important. One of the most common problems affecting a dog’s urinary system is a bladder infection, also known as a urinary tract infection (UTI).
TIs are relatively common in dogs, especially those not properly house-trained. While they can be painful, antibiotics can easily treat most UTIs. If your dog is peeing blood and you suspect they have a UTI, the best thing to do is to take them to the vet immediately.
Your vet will likely recommend a course of antibiotics to clear up the infection. In the meantime, ensure your dog has plenty of water to drink and access a clean bathroom area. With proper treatment, most dogs will fully recover from a UTI.
Upper Urinary Tract Infections
Pyelonephritis is a dog urinary tract infection that specifically affects the kidneys. It occurs when bacteria enters the kidneys through the urethra, which is the tube that dog urine passes through.
Both male and female dogs can develop pyelonephritis, although it is more common in females because their urethras are shorter. Pyelonephritis often causes blood in the dog’s urine and other symptoms like fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy.
Left untreated, pyelonephritis can permanently damage the kidneys or even be fatal. Therefore, it’s essential to be on the lookout for any signs that your dog may have a urinary tract infection and to take them to the vet if you suspect they do. With prompt treatment, however, most dogs make a full recovery.
Lower Urinary Tract Infection
Lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common health problems in dogs. Though male and female dogs can develop UTIs, they are much more common in females due to their shorter urethras.
The main symptom of a UTI is blood in the urine, which can cause the urine to appear pink, red, or dark brown. Other symptoms may include increased frequency of urination, painful urination, and accidents inside the house. A UTI can lead to serious health problems such as kidney damage or even death if left untreated. Therefore, it is crucial to take your dog to the veterinarian at the first sign of any urinary problems.
Other Reasons That Can Cause Bloody Urine In Your Pup
Urinary Tract Stone or Bladder Stones
Urinary stones, or bladder stones, are a common problem in dogs. Some breeds are more susceptible to stones than others, including Dalmatians, Miniature Schnauzers, Shih Tzus, and Yorkshire Terriers. Stones can cause blood in dog urine and lead to a kidney infection.
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the urinary tract and can range in size from a grain of sand to a pebble. Kidney stones can block the urethra and cause urinary incontinence if left untreated.
Dog bladder stones are a common issue that pet owners face. The stones form when there is an imbalance in the dog’s urinary tract. A variety of things can cause this, but most often, it is due to a diet high in minerals and low in water.
Bladder stones are relatively easy to prevent by feeding your dog a high-quality diet and ensuring they have access to plenty of fresh water. However, if your dog does develop bladder stones, there are a number of treatment options available.
Surgery is the most common treatment, but in some cases, special diets or medicines can help dissolve the stones. Of course, prevention is always the best course of action, but if your dog develops bladder stones, there are several options available for treatment.
As any dog owner knows, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s health. While bladder cancer is more common in dogs than kidney cancer, both can be deadly.
That’s why it’s essential to take your dog to the vet for regular check-ups and to be aware of the signs and symptoms of both bladder and kidney cancer. Many dogs can enjoy a long and healthy life with early diagnosis and treatment.
Prostatic Disease
The prostate is a gland that a male dog’s urine passes through, and prostatic disease occurs when this gland becomes inflamed or infected. This disease is a common problem in male dogs, and in most cases, it requires medication to kill bacteria and decrease inflammation.
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the affected gland. This disease can be very painful for male dogs, so you must seek treatment as soon as possible if you think your dog may be affected.
Idiopathic Renal Hematuria
One possible explanation for blood in urine is the presence of blood vessels that have ruptured. Ruptured blood vessels can be caused by several things, including an infection or an injury. However, if your dog has idiopathic renal hematuria, it means that the cause is unknown.
However, there are still some things that your vet can do to rule out other possibilities. For example, they may take a urine sample to test for infections or kidney failure. They may also order an ultrasound to check for tumors or other abnormalities.
In MOST cases, idiopathic renal hematuria is not serious and will resolve on its own. However, if your dog is showing other signs of illness, such as vomiting or lethargy, it is essential to see your vet immediately.
Accidental Poisoning
If you’ve ever seen your dog peeing blood, you know it’s a worrying sight. Although there are many potential causes of bloody urine in dogs, accidental poisoning is one of the most serious.
Common culprits include antifreeze (which has a sweet taste that can be appealing to dogs) and rodenticide (mouse or rat poison). If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, it’s important to act quickly and get them to the vet immediately.
In the meantime, try to keep them calm and prevent them from licking or ingesting anything else that could potentially do further harm. With prompt treatment, many dogs make a full recovery from accidental poisoning. But if left untreated, it can be fatal. So if you think your dog may have ingested something poisonous, don’t delay – get them to the vet immediately.
Physical Trauma
Physical trauma can cause blood in your dog’s urine. Physical trauma can occur from various sources, including car accidents, falls, fight with another dog, and blows to the abdomen.
Trauma to the bladder or blood vessels can cause blood in the urine. If your dog has blood in his urine, it is essential to take your dog to the vet immediately so that he can be checked out and treated if necessary. In addition, your vet will likely want to do bloodwork and a urinalysis to rule out any internal bleeding.
Cancer
It’s no secret that dogs are man’s best friend, and just like us, dogs can suffer from cancer. However, there are some critical differences between canine and human cancers.
For example, while bladder cancer is relatively common in dogs, urinary tract and kidney cancer are much rarer because dog urine is more acidic than human urine, which helps kill harmful bacteria before reaching the kidneys.
Additionally, dogs are less likely to develop kidney infections, which can lead to cancer in humans. So, suppose you notice your dog urinating more frequently or blood in their urine. In that case, it’s vital to have them checked out by a veterinarian – but don’t worry too much about them developing urinary tract or kidney cancer.
How Can I Help My Dog From Getting A Bladder Infection?
As any dog owner knows, keeping your furry friend healthy and happy is a top priority. One way to do this is to prevent bladder infections, which can be painful and disruptive for you and your pup. There are a few things you can do to help reduce the risk of bladder infections:
First, feeding your dog a healthy diet and ensuring they get plenty of exercise will keep their immune system strong.
Secondly, make sure they always have access to fresh water and try to take them out 3 to 5 times a day so they can relieve themselves.
Third, regular check-ups with the vet are vital in catching any infection early. Finally, supplements like cranberry extract may help prevent bladder infections. By taking these simple steps, you can help keep your dog’s bladder healthy and infection-free.
I’ve always been a pet owner, and I love my furry family members like they’re my children. So naturally, I want to do everything I can to keep them healthy and happy. That’s why I was concerned when my dog started having difficulty urinating.
I knew that changes in urination habits could signify a serious health problem, so I immediately took him to the vet. The vet did some tests and ruled out any significant issues, but she did suggest that I pay closer attention to my dog’s urination habits.
She explained that changes in frequency, urgency, or volume could be an early sign of a problem and that it’s essential to catch any issues early. Thanks to the vet’s advice, I can now keep my dog healthy and happy!
What Is the Treatment for Blood in My Dog’s Urine?
There are several potential causes of blood in a dog’s urine, and the best course of treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Urinary tract issues are one of the dogs’ most common causes of hematuria (blood in urine). In addition, urinary tract inflammation, infection, or stones can all lead to urinary tract issues and may require antibiotics to clear up.
Other potential causes of hematuria include cancer, trauma, or strenuous exercise. If your dog shows signs of urinary tract issues, your veterinarian will likely recommend a physical examination and optimize urine ph. In some cases, further testing such as x-rays or ultrasounds may be necessary to determine the cause of the hematuria.
Conclusion
One of the most important things you can do for your dog is to keep up with their yearly check-ups at the vet. Your vet will perform a thorough physical exam, including checking their lymph nodes, heart rate, and weight.
They’ll also take a complete blood profile, which will give them information on your dog’s liver, kidney, and pancreas function. For example, the chemical blood profile will tell your vet how well your dog’s red blood cells are oxygenating their blood, and the complete blood count will give information on your dog’s white blood cell count and platelet levels.
Finally, the urinalysis will check for anything unusual in your dog’s urine, which could indicate a kidney or bladder problem. All this information is crucial in catching any potential problems early and keeping your dog happy and healthy!
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*photo by Wirestock – depositphotos