Dog pees blood: causes of red urine and treatment

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.

Information to help your veterinarian make a diagnosis

If a prompt visit to the veterinarian is not possible

How to properly collect urine?

Prevention

Blood in a dog's urine: the main thing

Blood in a dog's urine (hematuria) is an alarming symptom. You should not delay visiting the clinic even for a day;
Red urine in a dog most often occurs due to urocystitis and urolithiasis, but other pathologies that provoke the appearance of blood during urination cannot be excluded;
At the appointment, the doctor must be provided with detailed information about the care, feeding of the pet and symptoms;
Diagnosis necessarily includes examination, urine analysis and ultrasound. Other studies may be required;
You can help your pet yourself, but there are contraindications to many medications. It is better to consult a veterinarian;
You can collect a urine test during an ultrasound or yourself in a sterile container;
For prevention, you should avoid hypothermia, regularly treat your pet for parasites and undergo medical examinations.

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.

Information to help your veterinarian make a diagnosis

If your dog is urinating blood, you should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible and begin treatment.

At the initial appointment, it is especially important to inform:

Nutritional history. What food do you give (including treats), and have you changed your feeding recently?
Preventive measures: vaccinations, treatments against parasites, dates and names of drugs.
How long ago did the symptoms appear and how did they change over time?
Drinking regime. How well does the dog drink water? Has the thirst increased recently?
Is your pet taking any medications?
Have you had similar symptoms before? And if there were, then you need to provide detailed information about the treatment and diagnosis of the disease.
Frequency of urination. Can he bear it until he goes for a walk?

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Diagnosis and treatment

If at the time of detection of the problem there is no direct threat to life, observe the pet for 6-12 hours before going to the veterinary clinic. To make a diagnosis, the doctor will need the following indicators:

frequency of urination;
presence and severity of pain;
associated symptoms;
amount and shade of urine excreted;
features of posture when relieving yourself.

The stronger the pain, the more exotic the position of the unfortunate animal. A sick male does not lift his paw, but sits down as close to the ground as possible.

After a clinical examination and history taking, urine and blood are taken from the animal for general and biochemical analysis. If prostatitis is suspected, a semen sample is examined, and if pyometra is suspected, a vaginal smear is examined.

An X-ray of the abdominal cavity and an ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys are required. Additional diagnostic methods include endoscopy and biopsy.

A treatment regimen is prescribed only after diagnosis. When constructing it, the doctor relies on the cause of the ailment. Most situations can be resolved with drug therapy. Surgeries are recommended only as a last resort when other treatment methods remain powerless.

von Willebrand disease

Animals diagnosed with von Willebrand's undergo blood transfusions. In the future, it will be necessary before each surgical operation. Dogs with spontaneous bleeding are discarded from breeding.

Urolithiasis and infections

If there is excessive accumulation of salts or the formation of stones, the dog is given painkillers and prescribed a course of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and diuretic drugs.

In advanced cases, the bladder is washed. During treatment, it is recommended to change the food and switch to a veterinary line. Urinary tract infection is treated in a similar way.

Helminthiasis

Diseases caused by parasites are treated with anthelmintic and acaricidal drugs. When secondary infections occur, antibiotics are prescribed. To restore internal microflora, it is recommended to take a course of probiotics, vitamin and mineral complexes.

Diseases of the genitourinary system

Gynecological diseases are treated only surgically. The likelihood of relapse is minimal with complete sterilization. In this case, both the ovaries and the uterus are removed.

Males have a chance to do without surgery - a course of antibiotics is enough. But in this case, there is a risk of developing a chronic disease, which will require re-treatment in case of relapse.

Severe poisoning

In severe intoxication, the animal loses a large amount of fluid. Infusions of saline solution can help prevent dehydration. The effect of the poison is suppressed by the introduction of an antidote. Further treatment depends on the symptoms.

Malignant tumors

Oncology is treated surgically followed by a course of chemotherapy. The exceptions are elderly dogs and animals with chronic diseases. They have a hard time with anesthesia and radiation. Despite the fact that all nearby tissues are cut out along with the tumor, the likelihood of relapse remains.

Injuries

As a rule, after an injury, a pet requires surgery and a further recovery period. It may drag on, but with proper treatment, hematuria quickly goes away.

If a prompt visit to the veterinarian is not possible

You can help your pet at home yourself before going to the clinic. The main thing is not to make things worse.

What to do if your dog is peeing blood?

You need to provide your pet with peace. Set up a bed for him in a quiet, warm place, surround him with care.
Drinking regime. Place several bowls of fresh water near your pet. If your pet refuses to drink, you can add a little broth, canned meat sauce, a pinch of vanilla, etc. to the water.

Under no circumstances should you give medications from a human first aid kit without a doctor’s recommendation. First, many drugs cannot be used in animals. Secondly, dosages are completely different for dogs and humans. Thirdly, many drugs have contraindications for use.

To properly provide first aid to your pet while you are unable to take it to the clinic, you can consult with a veterinarian online in the Petstory mobile application. The doctor will collect a detailed medical history, recommend how to help the pet at the moment, and tell you what diagnostics should be carried out. You can download the application from the link.

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 properly collect urine?

The most informative way to analyze urine is cystocentesis (puncture). The procedure is routine, does not require anesthesia, and, as a rule, pets react calmly to it. The doctor, under the control of an ultrasound probe, will insert a thin needle into the bladder through the abdominal wall and take a test. Of course, before taking the test, he will make sure there are no contraindications. The bladder should be full and the wall should not be uneven.

If it is not possible to donate urine by cystocentesis, you can use improvised means. In my practice, there were owners who collected urine with a ladle or ladle while walking, since pets absolutely do not want to urinate in a jar. If your pet does his business on the diaper at home, then you can simply turn it over with the oilcloth side up; it is better to first wipe the surface with an alcohol wipe. To prevent dripping, place some objects around the edges, as if forming a recess from a diaper. Then transfer the urine sample into a test container or sterile syringe. However, keep in mind an important point: the presence of bacteria in such an analysis is not informative. Bacteria can get there from the environment, from the pet's paws, from its fur or from the urethra.

Causes of bloody urine

Red urine appears not only due to illness, but also when consuming certain foods and medications. If you recently treated your puppy to beets, rhubarb or berries, then the problem is a natural dye.

Also, red urine appears in dogs after taking aspirin. It thins the blood and leads to bleeding. Its use is permissible only in severe forms of arthritis under the strict supervision of a veterinarian.

Pathological causes of hematuria include:

Von Willebrand-Diana disease.
The pathology is accompanied by spontaneous bleeding from the mouth, sinuses and urethra. The most striking symptoms appear during surgical intervention: castration, sterilization, cupping.
Salts (urates, oxalates) in the bladder
. Excessive accumulation of salts leads to the formation of stones and the development of urolithiasis. A high concentration of urates or oxalates is characteristic of pathologies of the cardiovascular system and liver diseases. When the urinary tract is blocked, the mucous membranes are injured. The pain makes going to the toilet a real ordeal.
Infectious diseases of the urinary system
(urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis). Pain in the inflamed genitals reduces activity. The sick person develops a fever and loses his appetite. After urinating, the pet licks the genitals and whines.
Injuries to the urinary or reproductive system
. Animals suffer internal injuries when falling from a height or after an accident. When the genital organs are damaged, blood particles are present not only in biological fluids, but also on the outside of the penis or loop. A severe injury can lead to organ rupture and death from internal bleeding. The likelihood of dangerous consequences remains even with an asymptomatic course. The injured pet must be taken to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Diseases of the prostate gland
(cystic disease, adenocarcinoma, prostatitis). The risk group includes uncastrated males. An enlarged prostate makes it difficult for fluid to drain out. Delays in habitual urination are accompanied by pain and problems with bowel movements. Apathy, vomiting and high fever appear.
Diseases caused by parasites.
Helminths and ticks feed on blood, so they act on the body in a similar way to poisons. Blood in a dog's urine appears due to destroyed red blood cells. Dead cells are excreted along with the discharge, giving it a bloody tint. The patient's body temperature rises, appetite decreases and weight drops sharply. Constipation alternates with diarrhea and bouts of vomiting. Blood clots are observed not only in urine, but also in feces. If their consistency differs little from tomato paste, then the likelihood of piroplasmosis is high.
Gynecological diseases
. Bloody urine in a dog is a symptom of pyometra or infectious inflammation of the uterus. Accumulating pus and blood clots are released along with urine or vaginal discharge. The pet becomes lethargic, its belly becomes rounded.
Malignant tumors
. Metastases that injure surrounding tissues and organs lead to internal bleeding. A striking example is venereal sarcoma. At the initial stage, the pathology resembles estrus. It differs from the natural process by constancy, spontaneity and a stable increase in the amount of secretions.

In some cases, hematuria is unusual.

If the blood appears in clots

Bloody clots in the urine are an alarming symptom that requires immediate contact with a veterinarian. The reason for their appearance may be:

oncological diseases: prostate tumor in males or uterine tumor in females;
a severe infection that causes thickening of the blood, such as leptospirosis;
piroplasmosis after a tick bite – the dog’s condition will be severe;
in rare cases, this way you can find out about the incoagulability of blood in an animal.

Even more rarely, blood clots can be found in a dog’s urine when poisoned with hemolytic poisons. When intoxicated with rat poison, arsenic and some types of mushrooms, the victim's red blood cells are destroyed. Because of this, coagulability worsens, and the dog develops blood clots in the urine.

Severe poisoning is accompanied by intestinal upset, vomiting and convulsions. If poison is swallowed right before your eyes, provide first aid and rinse the animal’s stomach with plenty of water.

After sterilization or surgery

Separately, it is worth noting the consequences of surgical intervention. Most often, bleeding during bowel movements is explained by suture dehiscence, but sometimes the cause lies in inflammatory processes. In any case, you cannot do without diagnostics.

It is best to contact the clinic where the intervention was performed. If you see that the seams have come apart, it is better to refuse to transport the animal and try to call a doctor at home.

What to do for urinary tract infections?

During the development of diseases such as urethritis, pyelonephritis, and cystitis, blood enters the dog’s urine. In this case, bleeding may be almost invisible. Also, a few drops of blood may appear after urination.

If there are other external signs of the disease - fever, refusal to eat, apathy and lethargy of the animal - as well as visible difficulties with urination, you should contact a veterinarian. He will prescribe the necessary procedures and tests to diagnose the disease, and also give treatment instructions for your pet.

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.

Prevention

To avoid hematuria in your dog, you should carefully monitor your pet’s condition and follow some preventive measures:

Regular visits to the veterinarian for examination, vaccination and deworming;
monitoring visual changes in bowel movements;
minimize the dog’s contact with other animals, especially stray and wild ones;
keep an eye on your pet while walking;
use tick repellents;
make his diet complete and balanced.

Why else might urine become an unusual color?

Why else does your pet's urine change color or become cloudy? The main factors influencing the color of urine:

Dehydration of the body. As a result of poisoning, the animal develops diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Because of this, the urine darkens and becomes brown. The same consequences occur if the dog was in the heat for a long time and did not have access to water.
Destruction of muscle tissue. Black or dark purple urine indicates the presence of the protein myoglobin. It appears after intense physical activity or from an excess of dairy products in food.
Taking medications. Changes in urine color are not always a symptom of pathology. Don't be alarmed by your dog peeing a brown liquid if you've recently given it activated charcoal. The vitamin riboflavin changes its color to bright yellow, and methylene blue can turn urine greenish.
Vegetable diet. Some vegetables, such as carrots and beets, can make your urine appear orange-red, yellow, or even purple. This means that there is no danger, there is no need to worry, and you just need to adjust your diet.

Instructions for urine collection and first aid

Before going to the veterinarian, fill the test bottle in advance. It is recommended to collect during a morning walk. The genitals must be washed so that excess fluid does not get into the analysis. It is easier to intercept the stream of males with a plastic bottle, but a flat container is suitable for females.

Please note that the storage time of the collected liquid is no more than 2 hours. Please ensure that you deliver the collected test within the designated time. Otherwise, the clinical picture will be blurry, and you will have to take tests again.

In most situations, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor, but if you are poisoned by poison in front of your eyes, you will have to provide first aid. To remove toxins, the dog must be given a laxative or activated charcoal. One sorbent tablet is designed for 10 kg of weight. First, induce vomiting by pouring 50 ml of warm water into your pet’s mouth. Inducing vomiting is unacceptable only in the following cases:

pregnancy;
poisoning with alkalis, acids and petroleum products;

presence of heart defects;
loss of consciousness.

If the pet does not come to its senses, lay it on its side and open its mouth. This will help remove the vomit and prevent you from choking until emergency veterinary help arrives.