Victoria Rashidovna Khazimulina
veterinarian Petstory
If your dog pees blood, this is a serious symptom that can indicate diseases of the hematopoietic organs, poisoning, problems with the urinary and reproductive systems.
Norm and stages
She may be:
- initial (initial) - when blood is released at the beginning of urination;
- complete (total) - the release of blood throughout the entire act of urination;
- final (terminal) - the release of blood in the last portion of urine.
It is necessary to pay attention to the exact moment it appears and its quantity - this will help in making a diagnosis.
Normally, urine is straw-yellow in color, without impurities, and transparent.
With hematuria, the urine is not necessarily red-scarlet. It takes on the following shade:
- red
- pink
- red-brown (resembling tomato juice)
- red-orange
- orange
What to do when identifying parasites?
The appearance in a dog's body of parasites such as capillaries (worms that live in the urinary system), as well as tick bites, can provoke diseases in which blood appears in the animal's urine.
Other symptoms include sudden weight loss in the animal, disturbances in sleep and appetite, lethargy and the appearance of visible signs of pain in the dog. And in the event of a tick bite and the development of piroplasmosis provoked by it, the destroyed red blood cells are also excreted through the feces, which changes its color to red.
In this case, an early consultation with a veterinarian is necessary, and delay is fraught with serious complications and even death.
Symptoms and diseases
There are a lot of diseases, the symptom of which may be the appearance of blood in the urine.
Inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system and bacterial infections
Leptospirosis is a very dangerous infectious disease. Already on the second day after infection, the dog’s urine and feces contain mucus and blood clots, diarrhea, as well as vomiting with blood. It threatens with very disastrous consequences, start treatment immediately.
Pyelonephritis - occurs due to microorganisms entering the kidneys, due to hypothermia, as well as against the background of other diseases of the urinary system. In this case, the urine is cloudy with blood, a false urge to urinate is observed, swelling occurs and the gait changes. If left untreated, it leads to chronic kidney failure and the formation of a purulent abscess.
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. Urine becomes cloudy, mixed with blood and has an unusual odor. It hurts the dog to urinate, she whines during the process, males stop raising their paws and do it “like a girl”
Urethritis usually develops as a complication after an infection. The urethra swells so much that the dog cannot urinate, resulting in stagnation of urine, which threatens intoxication. With this disease, the dog cannot urinate for a long time, experiences pain and discomfort, whines, and the urine is dark due to pus. In advanced stages, blood streaks are observed in the urine. Without treatment it leads to sepsis and various neoplasms. Possible death.
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. Usually observed in males over 5 years of age. In this case, the dog does not eat, defecation is difficult, and blood clots come out at the end of urination. For prostatitis, it is necessary to begin treatment as quickly as possible before the disease becomes chronic.
Endometritis (pyometra) - mainly occurs in bitches after childbirth. In this case, blood appears regardless of the act of urination, that is, from the genitals there is periodic discharge of a purulent-bloody color with an unpleasant odor. Without treatment, the animal may die.
Vaginitis - most often occurs in young bitches who have not yet been in heat. The disease can be noticed because the dog constantly licks the loop, pus with blood impurities is released from it.
Parasitic diseases
Helminths that feed on blood cause blood to appear in your dog's urine and feces. She also suffers from constipation and diarrhea and is rapidly losing weight. Blood in urine can be noticed not only due to internal parasites, but also after a tick bite. The most dangerous disease in this case is piroplasmosis, but, as a rule, the color of urine changes already at the height of the disease.
Poisoning
The most dangerous thing is poisoning from rat poison. Red blood cells are destroyed. Blood clots come out in the urine, the dog vomits, and convulsions may occur. Immediate veterinary attention is required. If this is not possible, induce vomiting in the animal, you will also need an enema and the introduction of sorbents, you can use activated carbon, enterosgel, smecta.
Injury
A consequence of the injury may be a change in the color of the urine due to bleeding. In this situation, it is urgent to take an X-ray or ultrasound to exclude organ rupture. For bitches, a bad mating can be a trauma.
Neoplasms
Not a rare occurrence in older animals. Usually, with any tumors, blood clots come out at the end of urination. Benign tumors are more common, so with timely treatment the prognosis is positive.
Urolithiasis disease
Perhaps one of the most common problems in dogs, it affects about 15% of dogs, regardless of breed. The danger is that UCD entails many other diseases of the urinary organs, as well as constant relapses. That is, there is a high probability that the stones will “return” some time after treatment
If you notice blood in the urine of a pregnant dog, this indicates that she is sick with one of the diseases listed above, not related to pregnancy.
Normally, during pregnancy, the bitch experiences discharge, but it should be clear, mucous or watery, and odorless.
It is important to consider that not all drugs are safe for an animal in this position, so you need to discuss all the nuances with your veterinarian.
Processes not related to the disease
Estrus is a natural process for a female. Normally, it lasts about a month and is divided into 2 stages. At the beginning, bloody discharge appears, and after a while the discharge becomes transparent and mucous - this is the second stage (this time is most favorable for mating). Specifically, in urine, blood can be observed in very small quantities, so that you can hardly see it with the naked eye, but it is detected during analysis. If its quantity increases, this is a symptom of latent endometritis, vaginitis, etc.
Sometimes blood in urine can be seen after sterilization . This is mainly due to seams coming apart. Also, sterilization sometimes causes urethritis.
Don’t forget about the completely harmless causes of changes in the color of urine. Urine may have a red tint if your dog has eaten , for example, beets or another product that has a coloring property. Some medications can also color the urine.
Symptoms of hematuria
If the reddish urine is due to pathological reasons, then the animal’s condition worsens. In addition to hematuria, the following symptoms appear:
- rapid breathing;
- vomit;
- lethargy and anxiety;
- strong thirst;
- convulsions;
- increased salivation;
- feeling of pain when palpating the abdomen;
- subcutaneous hematomas.
With painful urination, the volume of secretions is reduced. In male dogs, the prostate gland becomes enlarged. To diagnose internal organs, an external examination is not enough, so you cannot do without medical equipment.
Treatment
Just seeing traces of blood in the urine cannot begin to treat the animal. Hematuria is not a disease, but a symptom of many diseases.
Excretion of blood in the urine is always a serious pathology that requires the intervention of a veterinarian; you can’t just wait for it to go away on its own. This way the disease will only progress to a more serious stage and lead to disability or even death.
First of all, it is necessary to find out the cause, and not to treat it.
It is highly NOT recommended to use any medications before visiting a doctor. Such measures will only blur the clinical picture and prevent a quick diagnosis.
Your task is to provide the veterinarian with as complete anamnesis as possible, in other words, monitor your pet; for diagnosis you need to know:
- when did hematuria appear;
- at what stage of the act of urination blood comes out (at the beginning, at the end or in the middle);
- urine color;
- what position does the dog take during urination;
- what do you feed your dog, how much does he drink;
- how often the animal urinates, whether it controls this process.
The clinic should order a complete urine test, blood test, x-ray and ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder to identify the cause.
Host actions
If your dog has hematuria, you need to perform several mandatory steps that will allow you to make a correct diagnosis, according to which the veterinarian will prescribe the most effective treatment.
Watching the dog
If there is blood in the urine, the animal's behavior changes.
The pet owner should be alert to the following symptoms:
rapid breathing;- refusal to eat;
- loose stools;
- feverish condition;
- bouts of vomiting;
- increase in temperature indicators;
- pain in the peritoneum;
- blanching of mucous membranes.
If such signs appear, do not delay a visit to the veterinarian.
Urine and blood tests
To determine the concentration of elements such as leukocytes, platelets and red blood cells in the blood fluid, biochemistry and a general blood test are prescribed. These measures are also necessary to establish the level of hemoglobin, glucose, cholesterol, urea and bilirubin.
Using a urine test, a specialist detects the presence of protein, leukocytes, red blood cells and epithelium in the urethral fluid.
It is also important to pay attention to indicators such as transparency, shade, amount of urine released and the presence of an unpleasant odor.
Instrumental examination
Ultrasound diagnostics is performed if there is a suspicion of the development of pathologies affecting internal organs. Thanks to ultrasound, it is possible to determine the structure, size and condition of internal anatomical structures.
Such a study also makes it possible to identify the presence of stones, fluid formations and tumors.
If the pet suffers injuries to internal organs, an x-ray of the peritoneal cavity is performed.
How to collect urine for testing
One of the owner’s tasks is to collect the pet’s urine for analysis. Here you will have to be patient with the animal. In the case of small dogs, everything is simpler - they can do their business in a regular cat litter box. But this trick won’t work with large dogs. You should take a sterile jar or a special container for collecting urine with you on your morning walk and collect a small amount each time you urinate.
Don't collect urine from the ground! And directly from under the dog.
It's okay if it doesn't work out for you. The clinic will be able to take urine for analysis using a urinary catheter, or by cystoscopy - directly by puncturing the bladder (this is completely safe).
What to do if blood appears in the urine after sterilization?
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This condition may signal von Willebrand disease in a dog. This is a hereditary disease that leads to blood clotting disorders and is accompanied by sudden bleeding.
After its diagnosis, the dog may be prescribed a blood transfusion or prescribed medications to increase the level of protein in the blood, which helps stop bleeding. At the same time, it is important to closely monitor the dog, minimize the risk of injury at home or on the street, and also avoid eating foods or medications that cause blood thinning.
In dogs that have not been spayed or neutered, inflammation of the prostate and uterus, respectively, is possible. In addition to the appearance of red urine, the dog’s general condition also worsens, which affects appetite and activity. In bitches, such discharge can also look like blood clots, since pus is released from the inflamed uterus along with urine.
Prevention
To reduce the likelihood of your pet’s genitourinary system disease, you should follow several rules:
- monitor animal hygiene;
- proper feeding. Do not mix natural feeding with prepared foods. The food must be balanced. A low protein diet is recommended;
- sufficient amount of water;
- active lifestyle;
- Periodic visits to the veterinarian and testing.
Take a responsible approach to your pet's health.
Briefly about the main thing
- If blood is detected in the urine, you must contact a veterinarian; the cause may be the presence of: a bacterial infection, a parasitic disease, poisoning, injury, or urolithiasis. As well as many other concomitant diseases, such as liver, endocrine system or blood clotting disorders.
- What did your dog eat? Her urine may have been colored by beets or another coloring product.
- Before going to the clinic, do not give your dog any medications, so as not to “blur the picture.” It is better to prepare a detailed history of how and when you noticed bleeding.
- There are a few simple rules that will keep your pet healthy. Don't neglect them.
Risk factors
Some dog breeds are predisposed to bladder or kidney problems that may cause the dog to urinate blood.
For example, Dalmatians, Shih Tzus, miniature schnauzers, bichon frizes, Lhasa Apsos and Yorkshire terriers are breeds at risk for developing bladder stones, while West Highland white terriers, Scottish terriers, Shetland sheepdogs, beagles, American Eskimos and Wire-haired fox terriers are at risk. at risk of developing bladder tumors.
Any breed of dog can have bladder or kidney problems, so the problem of urinating blood is not limited to any dog breed.
