Blood in the urine of a dog - causes and treatment of urination 2021

Normally, urine in dogs is straw-yellow in color and has no pungent odor.

If a pet is peeing blood, this can be caused by a variety of provoking factors, from harmless to more serious, indicating some pathological process in its body.

If there are alarming symptoms, the owner should have an idea of how to correctly interpret the condition of his four-legged friend, what measures to take, and how to collect urine for analysis.

There is no need to panic. Discoloration is sometimes just a consequence of eating certain foods.

What is hematuria

Hematuria is the “scientific” name for a condition when a dog has a certain (more or less) but abnormal amount of red blood cells (red blood cells) in its blood.

There are three types of hematuria in dogs:

Initial - the first portion of freshly released urine is colored with blood, the rest is light.
Median - bloody discharge from the urethra, regardless of whether he pees.
The final one is the first urine without blood, the rest contains an increased number of red blood cells.

A change in color to bright red or dark burgundy usually indicates the progression of a serious infectious disease. Sometimes such a symptom is observed in cases of serious poisoning or the presence of various types of neoplasms of the animal’s genitourinary system.

Treatment of bleeding in dogs

Once the dog has been accurately diagnosed, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment. For various diseases, therapy will have its own specifics, but I would like to note the techniques that are used for major pathologies.

In case of helminthic infestations, deworming is carried out using appropriate drugs. For infectious diseases, antibiotics, hyperimmune serum and sulfonamide drugs are used. After a course of antibiotics, the use of probiotics is mandatory. Parasitic diseases are treated with antiprotozoal drugs. Venereal sarcoma requires surgery, but in some cases conservative therapy such as vincristinoma will help.

If the animal suffers from dehydration, then it is necessary to use a physiological or isotonic solution. To remove signs of intoxication and support liver function, it is necessary to use glucose in combination with ascorbic acid in the following proportions:

200 ml of 0.5% glucose solution + 10 ml of ascorbic acid.

If we talk about relieving symptoms, then painkillers, antispasmodics or anti-inflammatory drugs can be used for a sick animal.

What can you learn about a dog from its urination?

In males with diseases of the prostate gland, and in females with pathologies of the uterus and vagina, red blood cells are increased in the urine itself (in its first portion), and blood can also be released from the urethra regardless of urination. In such cases, the symptom is clearly visible to the naked eye.

Kidney diseases always cause general malaise

If the cause of hematuria is a disease of the bladder-urethra , blood in the urine is clearly visible, especially if the dog has severe inflammation of these organs or the growth of a tumor is progressing. In such cases, hematuria is also accompanied by such severe symptoms - some pain, incontinence, and frequent urges are noticeable. At the same time, the pet feels good - appetite and activity are preserved, there are no changes in behavior.

Renal ureter pathologies, especially in the early stages, do not cause a visible increase in red blood cells in the urine. Hematuria is determined only after testing, although exceptions also occur. In addition, the dog’s well-being may deteriorate significantly, manifested by the following signs of general intoxication:

the dog eats poorly or refuses altogether;
there is thirst;
the pet may vomit;
lethargy and other manifestations of general malaise are recorded.

Important! There are certain moments when the burgundy color of urine is not a pathological sign - estrus, treatment with certain medications, adding urine-coloring foods to the dog's food, for example, beets.

Is this a symptom of a disease?

A reddish urethra is one of the important signs of various pathologies of internal organs. To find out whether bloody urine in a dog or bitch indicates a specific disease, the dog breeder needs to observe his own animal for several hours after the appearance of this alarming phenomenon. You need to pay attention to the following features of your pet’s urination:

Frequent trips to the toilet. Indicates that the pet cannot completely empty its bladder at one time. Urinary incontinence indicates the presence of inflammatory processes.
Unnatural positions that the animal takes when urinating. Often a sick individual bends strongly towards the ground and sits down unnaturally. This feature indicates the presence of pain.
Whining, howling when correcting minor needs. They also indicate severe pain.

In addition, at home you need to examine the animal to find out if it has blood or damage to its genitals. If at least one of the presented signs is present in your pet, immediately go to the veterinarian.

Reasons why a dog pees blood

The dog urinates with blood due to the progression of the inflammatory process in its body. Among the causes of inflammation, I would like to note the main ones, namely:

Diseases and infections of the urinary tract. It is this reason that is the most common in the manifestation of such unpleasant symptoms (treated with Cantaren). In addition to blood, your dog may experience painful urination and fever. At the same time, the owner may notice that the dog often begins to lick itself in the tail area, and there are stones in the bladder.

This disease in dogs is quite common. In the presence of stones, urination becomes quite painful, and injury to the mucous membrane causes the appearance of blood;

Prostate diseases. Such problems occur in dogs that have not been castrated. Urine with blood in a male dog appears due to an enlarged prostate, which causes difficulty in the outflow of fluid from the body, the animal suffers from severe pain. The dog will begin to suffer from fever, general weakness, malaise and loss of appetite;

An analogue of prostate disease, only in females, has the medical name pyometra. The disease is an accumulation of pus in the animal's uterus. During urination, not only pus is released, but also urine impurities;

Poisoning by toxins or poisons. A dog often urinates blood if it has eaten poison intended for rodents. This is explained by the fact that the poison contains a hemolytic poison, which impairs blood clotting. If the cause of the blood is precisely such poisoning, then the dog will simultaneously suffer from pain, vomiting, and diarrhea;

Parasitic diseases. In this case, the death of red blood cells occurs, which enter the urine through the kidneys. At the same time, the animal’s mucous membranes will turn pale, fever and loss of appetite will begin; neoplasms, for example, sarcoma;

Here are some of the reasons why your dog has bloody urine. Each of them requires close attention, and most importantly, thorough diagnosis.

Causes of hematuria

If your dog likes to eat beets, his urine may turn red. But there's nothing wrong with that.

There can be many reasons for this condition. Here are the main ones:

Various pathologies of the genitourinary system accompanied by an inflammatory process - cystitis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, kidney infarction, pyometra, vaginitis, prostatitis, traumatic injuries to the genital organs.
Diseases of the endocrine system - for example, progressive diabetes mellitus causes kidney damage. As a result, the outflow of urine is disrupted, and severe inflammation develops, causing bleeding.
Dangerous infectious diseases – parvovirus enteritis, leptospirosis.
Parasitic pathologies – piroplasmosis, worms.
Various origins of neoplasms of the genitourinary system.
Acute poisoning. Poisoning with rat poison (if not taken promptly) always causes bleeding from the urethra and anus. You can read more about this problem on our website here: “Symptoms of poisoning in dogs. First aid for poisoning" (https://lifeo.ru/simptomy-otravleniya-u-sobak-pervaya-pomoshh/)
Diseases that interfere with blood clotting.
Injuries after road accidents, fights and the like. In bitches, blood is often detected in the urine after an unsuccessful “hard mating”.

Urolithiasis and infections

Urolithiasis develops less frequently in dogs than in cats and is often not associated with improper feeding. The cause of the disease is bacterial inflammation, which disrupts the acid-base environment and provokes the growth of stones. A protein diet and a lack of liquid food can also provoke KSD, but most often the disease is caused by staphylococci and streptococci. The stones are concentrated in the bladder area, not the kidneys, as in most other animals.

Important! Schnauzer, spaniel, shih tzu, pekingese, yorkie, dalmatian and english bulldog have a genetic predisposition to urolithiasis. Adults and males with a longer urethra than females get sick more often.

A dog can suffer from more than just blood in its urine. If the urethra is blocked, the animal will physically be unable to empty its bladder. This causes him unbearable pain. The dog will have to be urgently hospitalized and excess urine will be removed on the operating table using a catheter. The following types of stones are removed from the animal’s bladder and kidneys:

cystines;
struvites;
oxalates;
phosphates.

Treatment

Therapeutic measures are prescribed depending on the type of disease that caused hematuria. In case of poisoning, the dog is given a gastric lavage and a course of detoxification therapy is prescribed, as well as medications to maintain the functioning of the organs.

To treat cystitis, which in dogs in 90% of cases is of bacterial origin, antibiotics are usually prescribed:

Amoxicillin.
Baytril.
Ceftriaxone.

Antimicrobial drugs Nitroxoline, Furagin, Furadonin are also used. After a course of antibiotic therapy, to normalize the state of the intestinal microflora, it is recommended to use bifalact.

If hematuria is caused by helminths or exoparasites, the doctor will prescribe medications for the dog that suppress the development of parasitic organisms. The most popular in veterinary medicine are:

NexGard Spectra is a remedy for helminths, fleas and ticks, the active ingredients are afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime.
Fort Dodge Kanikquantel plus is an anthelmintic, the active ingredients are praziquantel and fenbendazole.
Milprazone is an antiparasitic agent containing praziquantel and milbemycin oxime.

When infected with blood parasites that cause amebiosis, piroplasmosis, trichomonas urovaginitis, antiprotozoal agents based on imidocarb dipropionate are used: Ornidazole or Piro-stop, as well as drugs for general support of the body.

Treatment of glomerulonephritis in dogs includes taking glucocorticosteroids, drugs to correct pathological changes in the composition of blood proteins, and if streptococci are detected in the body, prescribing antibiotics, to which these facultative anaerobic microorganisms are sensitive.

If the cause of blood in urine is a malignant tumor, it is usually treated surgically. Non-invasive therapy can be effective only in the initial stages of the disease.

The dog has bloody urine, what to do with such symptoms?

If there is noticeable blood in the dog’s urine, it is released from the urethra regardless of urination - contact the clinic immediately. Accurate diagnosis in this situation will help preserve not only the health, but often the life of the pet. Hematuria in most cases is accompanied by other symptoms - carefully monitor the dog’s condition and behavior. This will help you accurately answer all the veterinarian's questions.

What should the owner do?

No self-medication! If blood is detected in the urine, as well as other symptoms indicated above, it is necessary to show the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible . Very often, blood or blood clots can indicate the presence of serious diseases that can lead to dire consequences. If you really care about the health of your pet, with such symptoms you should not try to independently administer herbs, homeopathic medicines, no-shpa and other medicinal substances that are used in human treatment.

At the appointment, the doctor will conduct a physical examination of the animal and also offer tests. To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a number of studies: a general blood test, a general urinalysis, a biochemical blood test for renal parameters such as urea, creatinine, potassium and phosphorus. An ultrasound examination will help rule out urolithiasis, cystitis, as well as polyps in the bladder, endometritis and chronic kidney disease. For auto injuries, impacts, or falls, x-rays may be required.

Be attentive to your pets, monitor their general condition and pay attention not only to behavior and diet, but also to discharge. This is exactly the case when indifference can cost the health and life of your pet.

Poisoning

Rat poison is dangerous for dogs and cats. The dog may swallow a poisoned rat or eat the poison left for it. This poison stops blood clotting because it is a hemolytic poison. That's why the dog pees blood. What to do in this case?

Urgently give the dog a sorbent and take it to a veterinary clinic. If the dog has recently eaten a poisonous substance, then he will undergo gastric lavage. When more than 8 hours have passed since the poison entered the body, this procedure is no longer useful. Drug treatment will be provided, which may include IVs and blood transfusions.

Poisoning is not something to joke about; the poison acts too quickly. It is important to notice the first symptoms promptly and contact a veterinarian. Considering the huge number of flayers that have appeared, poisoning is not such a rarity; it can happen at any time. You need to carefully monitor your pet. If he is seen picking up from the floor, then they play it safe by putting on a muzzle.

Information about a sick dog for a veterinarian

It would be great if the owner could provide the specialist with the following information:

when and under what circumstances blood was noticed in the urine;
how often does the dog go to the toilet;
where the dog last walked, whether he was wearing a leash or a muzzle;
has his behavior changed;
what does the pet usually eat, does he agree to eat food in the same quantities and how much does he want to drink.

It is important for a specialist to know what is normal for a dog and what is not. All animals are individual, so by talking about the character and habits of a particular pet, an owner who is concerned about its health helps the doctor make a more accurate diagnosis and understand in which direction to move.

If your dog is urinating blood and it is not related to a piece of beetroot he recently ate or a medication he took, he should be seen by a doctor. The veterinarian will examine the animal and prescribe the tests necessary to determine the pathology. There is no doubt that this is a pathology, since spotting is a fairly common sign by which the presence of problems with the kidneys, liver, bladder, and genitals is determined.

Symptoms of hematuria in a dog

Hematuria in an animal can manifest itself with symptoms such as:

urine is stained with blood;
breathing quickens;
salivation increases;
vomiting appears;
the animal suffers from lethargy;
anxiety increases;
pain appears in the abdominal area;
thirst increases;
mucous membranes take on a pale tint;
the volume of urine decreases due to difficulty urinating.

Blood clots

If you see some blood clots in the urine of an older dog, this may indicate cancer. If the tumor is large, it can damage nearby organs. As a result of this, hematuria appears. If the animal is male, then most likely the tumor is located in the prostate gland (about milk diseases).

Another factor for blood clots in urine can be infectious diseases and blood parasitic pathologies. Especially with leptospirosis, the animal's blood becomes thick, similar to tomato paste.

If such unpleasant symptoms appeared after the pet was bitten by a tick, then most likely we can talk about a disease such as piroplasmosis. With such a pathology, the animal will have an extremely serious condition, so blood clots in the urine will not bother the veterinarian. In rare cases, such a symptom may indicate a blood clotting disorder in the animal.

Urine after sterilization

Even in the case of minor surgical intervention, there is a risk of various complications, and such a dangerous situation can arise not only in humans, but also in animals. Spaying and neutering a dog can often result in blood in the urine when defecating.

Most often, the cause of this symptom can be a divergence of the seams. In this case, you should immediately go to the veterinary clinic and provide assistance to the animal.

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.

Diagnostic methods

It is impossible to independently determine what caused the hematuria. As soon as owners notice that their pet is urinating blood, they need to immediately contact a veterinary clinic.

It is not necessary to wait for bloody clots to appear in the urine; any darkening, accompanied by alarming, painful symptoms, is a reason to contact a specialist.

Methods for diagnosing diseases manifested by hematuria:

General and biochemical blood test. Allows you to determine the number of red blood cells, platelets, leukocytes, hemoglobin level, and examine the leukogram. Biochemical analysis can detect glucose, urea, cholesterol, and bilirubin in the blood.
General urine analysis. With its help you can see protein, red blood cells, white blood cells, epithelium in urine. An important diagnostic indicator is the color, transparency, smell and amount of urine.

Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder. Ultrasound diagnostics is necessary if diseases of the internal organs are suspected. Ultrasound shows the size, structure, and condition of organs. With its help, the doctor finds stones, fluid and tumor formations.
X-ray of the abdominal cavity. Necessary for suspected internal organ injuries.

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).

Cystitis

A common disease among animals. To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a urine test and ultrasound of the reproductive system. The analysis pays attention to the following indicators:

Presence of protein.
Red blood cells.
Leukocytes.
Salt.

If the examination confirms a genitourinary infection, then a bacterial culture is performed. It will help determine the type of bacteria and antibacterial agents that can accurately destroy it.

Urine is collected by the dog's owner before going to the veterinarian. Purchase a jar intended for people. It is advisable to rinse the genitals. You can use the antiseptic Chlorhexidine.

The jar is placed a couple of seconds after the dog begins to urinate. Dogs are not always favorable towards such a procedure, so the owners are unable to carry out the fence themselves. Then the procedure is carried out at the veterinarian using a catheter.

If cystitis is confirmed, then in 90% of cases the veterinarian prescribes the antibiotic Cifrofloxacin or its analogue Cifran. These same drugs are also used in humans. The dose is calculated according to the formula - 10 mg per 1 kg of animal. Apply twice a day. The course of treatment is 2 weeks or more. 14 days after taking the medication, a repeat urine test is performed.

Cystitis may be a consequence of urolithiasis. In this case, the dog also pees blood. The sand and stones must come out on their own, but this is an extremely painful process. The pet is prescribed antispasmodics. Most often these are No-Shpa, Papaverine, Erva Woolly. But this is all at the discretion of the veterinarian. The stones may also be too large to pass through the urinary system on their own. Then you cannot do without medical intervention.

A gentle diet must be prescribed, which will prevent the formation of new stones. There are special foods for animals with genitourinary problems.

Answer

Finding traces of blood in a dog's urine is a serious sign that makes the owner concerned. As a rule, the symptom indicates the presence of an acute inflammatory process.

The appearance of blood in urine does not necessarily give a red tint. Urine may turn brownish or light pink. Such inflammatory processes are accompanied by lethargy and malaise in the pet. Sometimes redness of urine is not associated with the presence of blood impurities in it. Urine acquires a reddish tint as a result of taking medications or eating foods containing red and orange pigments.

A simple examination is not always enough to diagnose an animal. A number of diagnostic tests are often required in a veterinary clinic. Based on the test results, the doctor will make the appropriate prescription.

Causes

Often, the presence of blood in the urine occurs with quite serious pathologies. The reasons for this phenomenon may be the following:

The presence of blood in the urine is most often a consequence of the presence of serious pathological conditions that require treatment. If this happens once, then you need to carefully monitor the dog for some time and remember whether the pet has eaten beets or other brightly colored vegetables that can cause a change in the color of urine.

If the pathological shade of discharge is accompanied by additional symptoms:

Drowsiness and apathy, lack of mood and decreased normal activity.
Nausea, dizziness and vomiting.
A change in behavior, for example, the dog tries to hide in a secluded place or shows unusual aggressiveness towards others.
Demand for increased attention from the owner, etc.

It is then necessary to urgently contact a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment. After all, timely correction of the condition and correctly taken measures are a guarantee of recovery.

Factors causing blood in dog urine

If blood is detected in the pet's urine, the owner must show it to the veterinarian.
First of all, it is necessary to establish why blood appeared in the dog's urine. Once the cause is determined, treatment can be prescribed. In 90% of cases, the causes of urine with blood in a dog are serious pathologies.

Important! Treating your pet yourself is very dangerous. Complications may develop, and even the death of the animal.

Possible causes of blood in a dog's urine are listed below.

Urolithiasis disease

This is a rare pathology for dogs, most often it occurs only in cats.

The disease is associated with improper feeding. Against this background, the animal develops inflammation, which provokes the growth of stones. It is important to note that certain breeds have a predisposition to urolithiasis. This list includes: Yorkies, Pekingese, Dalmatians, spaniels.

Tick bite

The parasites themselves do not cause bloody urine in a dog. But they are carriers of dangerous diseases. A tick can cause your pet to become infected with bambesia. The pathology develops very rapidly and can lead to the death of the animal.

Kidney or bladder diseases

The color of urine will change if the prostate gland is not functioning properly.

Parasites in a pet's body

Bloody urine in a dog can be due to an attack by fleas, worms and lice eaters. Parasites not only live on the skin and fur, but also penetrate into the internal organs of the pet.

If a dog is often outdoors in contact with other animals, the owner needs to provide full protection from parasites.

Attention! Worms in the dog’s body begin to destroy internal organs. Blood can appear not only in urine, but also in feces.

Neoplasm

In dogs, tumors most often concentrate on the kidneys and bladder area. At an early stage, the disease is asymptomatic. If a dog goes to the toilet with a little blood, this means that damage to internal organs has begun.

Older dogs without proper treatment can die even if the tumor is benign.

von Willebrand disease

This is a disease that is genetic. The main symptom is constant bleeding from the urethra. The pathology is incurable. Sterilization is indicated for such dogs.

Poisoning

Many dogs, especially small puppies, are completely indiscriminate eaters. They may overeat or grab a foreign object. Even a well-fed puppy often continues to eat if he sees food in front of his eyes.

If a dog urinates with blood, this may be a cause of poisoning. As an additional symptom, the animal will be bothered by vomiting and weakness. If the owner is sure that the cause of urination with blood is poisoning, he can provide first aid at home. You need to give your pet 2-3 tablets of activated carbon.

Important! If we are talking about a pet that lives outside in a kennel, if it is poisoned, it is recommended to show it to a veterinarian. This is due to the fact that it is impossible to control the quality of the food he eats. For example, he can catch and eat a rodent.

Rat poison

An animal can be poisoned by rat poison, or receive a dose of poison from a snake bite. Blood in the urine occurs as a result of severe intoxication.

Leptospirosis

A disease that damages the liver, kidneys and nervous system. Infection occurs from other pets or after a tick bite.

The amount of urine excreted decreases, the animal refuses dog food, becomes lethargic and inactive. Body temperature may rise. If treatment is not prescribed, kidney failure begins.

Attention! The disease develops very rapidly. Up to 60% of sick pets die in the first week. Old and weakened animals are at risk.

Timely and correct identification of the cause of a symptom can save the animal’s life.

Blood in the urine may be a symptom of severe poisoning

How to collect urine for analysis from a dog

Often, if a disease of the genitourinary system is suspected, a urine test of the pet is necessary. Collecting urine from a dog is very problematic. However, if you adhere to the following rules, you can do this quickly and easily:

Wear gloves.
Remove the litter from the tray and rinse it thoroughly.
Insert a grate into the tray and wait until the dog wants to relieve itself.
Once the job is done, take the tray and carefully pour its contents into a collection glass.

Perhaps this information alone and a comprehensive examination of the pet will not be enough to make a correct diagnosis, so the doctor may refer you for an ultrasound of the internal organs. Do not forget that ultrasound examination can only be done with a filled bladder. Of course, it is difficult to control the process of urination in an animal, especially if the pet suffers from urinary incontinence. Try to give your pet a good drink before the ultrasound - this way the bladder will not empty soon, which means it will be easy to do an ultrasound examination.

It should be remembered that the shelf life of urine for analysis is not long - only 3-4 hours, so you need to collect urine from your pet at least three hours before going to the laboratory, not counting the time spent on the road.

If you don’t use a tray to relieve your dog, but, for example, a diaper or outside, then buy a special urine collector at the pharmacy. This is a very convenient and practical thing that will allow you to collect the required number of tests in a matter of seconds.

Reasons why blood appears in urine

1. Piroplasmosis. This is a deadly blood parasitic disease that is transmitted by a tick bite. Contrary to popular belief, a tick can bite a dog even in a city where there is little dry grass and trees. Therefore, it is necessary to treat your pet for ectoparasites from March to November.

One of the main characteristic symptoms of piroplasmosis is the presence of blood in the urine. Moreover, in advanced stages, the color of urine itself may change to red-brown. Why is this happening? Pyroplasmas, entering the dog’s body, begin to destroy blood cells, causing anemia. The animal's kidneys are unable to filter out the destroyed red blood cells, so the urine turns various shades of red.

If you notice blood in the urine of a puppy or adult dog, as well as lethargy, high fever, refusal to eat, or weakness of the hind legs, do not self-medicate and waste time, consult a veterinarian. This disease develops at lightning speed, so delay will cost your pet’s life. But if treatment is started on time, complications will be minimal. As a rule, it is necessary to administer an antidote and conduct a course of IV drips that relieve intoxication. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be required.

2. Leptospirosis. The infectious disease leptospirosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. This disease is dangerous not only for dogs, but also for humans. It is characterized by damage to the capillaries of blood vessels, as well as the kidneys and liver. With leptospirosis, severe general intoxication of the body occurs. A striking symptom is the appearance of blood in the urine, as well as fever, refusal to eat and yellowness of the mucous membranes. Animals that bathe in stagnant bodies of water, as well as hunting dogs, are at risk, but the risk of disease in unvaccinated dogs and in urban environments cannot be excluded.

Leptospira is transmitted when contaminated urine comes into contact with damaged skin or mucous membranes. A dog only needs to sniff the mark of a sick dog or drink from a puddle to become ill.

This disease is curable if you do not waste time, but leptospirosis must be differentiated from piroplasmosis and only a veterinarian can do this competently, after conducting an examination and the necessary tests. You can make a diagnosis by passing virological tests.

3. Cystitis. A male dog may have blood in his urine during cystitis, which appears due to an ascending infection, if the dog takes a long time to go to the toilet. Because inflammation of the bladder is a common pathology not only in humans, but also in animals. Symptoms include frequent urination in small portions, and blood may drip at the end or evenly discolor the urine. Also, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder can be idiopathic, that is, when the cause is psychogenic factors - severe stress, for example, due to the departure of the owner. It is important to determine the cause of cystitis - only in this way can it be cured quickly and effectively.

Types of purulent discharge from the urethra in dogs

Any discharge in a dog is an unpleasant occurrence. In some situations, they are quite natural, since they appear in animals at a certain period of their life cycle. They usually have a characteristic color and smell. In this case, they do not pose a threat and simply signal that, for example, the female is in heat and is ready to mate.

However, in most cases, discharge poses a clear danger, as it is a symptom of a developing disease. If pathology is present, they will have a sharp purulent odor, as well as an admixture of blood.

Purulent discharge is often a symptom of dangerous diseases such as venereal sarcoma, hematometra or pyometra (inflammation of the uterus). Moreover, in most cases, the animal requires qualified medical care and even surgical intervention. If treatment is not started, there is a high probability that your pet will die.

It is worth noting that sometimes juvenile vaginitis occurs, which is manifested by the appearance of purulent drops on the loop in dogs. It usually develops before the first heat. This condition does not require treatment as it goes away on its own. Typically, juvenile vaginitis disappears after the animal reaches puberty.

"Discharge from a dog's noose"

In this video, the veterinarian will tell you why dogs have discharge from the loop and how to treat it.

Why do they appear in males?

Normally, a healthy pet may have a small amount of yellowish lubricant. It usually forms around the preputial foramen. In this case, pathological discharge from the urethra in dogs can be different:

bloody;
purulent;
urinary

Various types of discharge from the genital organs in male dogs can have a wide variety of causes. At the same time, the male becomes anxious, loses his appetite and decreases activity. The effectiveness of the dog’s treatment and its state of health directly depend on how correctly the veterinarian determines the root cause of the disease.

The most common reasons for the appearance of such discharge from the urethra include the following:

inflammatory processes (for example, preputial sac);
infectious, viral or bacterial disease;
problems with the bladder and prostate gland;
stones in the urethra;
tumor formations of benign and malignant nature;
injuries;
poor blood clotting (reduced platelet count);
infection of a pet with rat poison (extremely rare). But if infected, a dog can infect its owner and surrounding people.

As you can see, the reasons for this situation can be quite serious. That is why, if your dog is dripping blood from the urethra or has other discharge, a visit to the veterinarian should be made as soon as possible.

Causes of occurrence in females

Pus and other discharge may also leak from bitches. Such discharge from the loop in a dog may appear for the following reasons:

natural. There are situations when pus occurs during estrus or childbirth, and also when a girl is just entering puberty. Often it appears at the end or at the very beginning of a particular physiological state. After whelping, it is normal to experience a slight brown discharge. They can drip for 2–3 weeks. During estrus, a blood clot may appear. It indicates the female's readiness to mate. Also, spotting indicates that ovulation is approaching;
pathological. In this case, the cause may be inflammatory processes, oncology, diseases of a wide variety of etiologies. Most often in bitches this symptom manifests itself with vaginitis, pyometra, and endometritis. Poor blood clotting can also lead to blood clots.

Whatever discharge of various kinds from the genital organs in females, you should definitely consult a veterinarian. Only he will be able to tell whether this is normal or prescribe the necessary treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment

To make sure that the dog is healthy, if even the slightest discharge appears, you should seek help from a veterinarian. He will examine the animal to identify other pathological phenomena or symptoms.

In order to accurately determine the cause, the doctor will necessarily take the animal’s purulent discharge and blood for analysis and send it for laboratory tests. In addition, a urine test is required.

Thus, it is possible to detect not only the presence of infections and parasites, but also to determine abnormalities in the blood system (for example, a reduced platelet count). For an accurate analysis, swabs are taken from the dog's genitals.

Laboratory tests allow you to accurately determine the diagnosis and assess what stage of development the disease is currently at. Thanks to this, the veterinarian can create a more precise course of treatment that will be optimal in a particular case.

Simultaneously with laboratory tests, a specialist may prescribe additional diagnostic procedures (for example, X-ray or ultrasound of an organ or vaginoscopy).

Based on all the results of the tests and external examination of the pet, the veterinarian prescribes treatment. It directly depends on the reason that caused the discharge. Some ailments can be treated with medication at home, while others require chemotherapy (for example, oncology) or even surgery.

In addition to developing a treatment regimen, after eliminating the root cause, the specialist prescribes a special regimen for the animal that will allow the dog to quickly return to its normal lifestyle.

Prevention measures

To prevent the appearance of purulent and any other types of discharge from the urethra, it is necessary to adhere to the following preventive measures:

timely sterilization;
proper and balanced nutrition;
periodic visits to the veterinarian;
cleanliness in the house or dog kennel;
completion of all vaccinations that the animal must have;
dog activity. You need to spend a lot of time outdoors with your pet;
maintaining pet hygiene: bathing, combing, trimming claws, etc.

If you follow all the preventive measures listed above, the risk of such a pathology will be reduced to zero.

Many diseases of the genital organs in any type of dog always begin with purulent discharge. Therefore, if even minor smears are detected, you must take your pet to a veterinarian for examination. Often this is a clear symptom of the onset of an illness, treatment of which should be started as soon as possible.

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What to do if your dog is urinating blood

When seeking help from a veterinarian, you should keep in mind that the doctor will require the following information from you:

What color is urine? Pathology can be noticed if the urine has a light pink or even coffee tint.
How often has the animal gone to the toilet in the last 24 hours?
Does your pet experience pain during urination: he may whine pitifully, squeal and even bark.
If there is bloody discharge in your pet's urine.
Is blood present in the animal’s urine all the time or does it appear from time to time?
How long have you noticed blood in your pet's urine?

Perhaps this information alone and a comprehensive examination of the pet will not be enough to make a correct diagnosis, so the doctor may refer you for an ultrasound of the internal organs. Do not forget that ultrasound examination can only be done with a filled bladder. Of course, it is difficult to control the process of urination in an animal, especially if the pet suffers from urinary incontinence. Try to give your pet a good drink before the ultrasound - this way the bladder will not empty soon, which means it will be easy to do an ultrasound examination.

Warning symptoms

It is important for pet owners to know if their dog has bloody urine, what it is, and what disease it may indicate. This may be a signal of a pathology that has not yet developed other symptoms.

Symptoms of the disease

Before you understand the reasons why a dog peed blood, you need to analyze the following points:

whether the pet has lost its appetite;
he also plays actively;
has his behavior changed, perhaps he has become passive or, conversely, is having too much fun;
how often does he go to the toilet, is there any incontinence (it is important to note that urinating 8 times a day is already considered excessive);
whether the dog came into contact with other animals;
whether she could have suffered mechanical injury from a blow or fall;
Is blood noticeable without urination?

As soon as the dog pees blood, you need to measure the temperature and palpate the stomach with gentle movements. If the animal does not allow itself to be touched, lies on its stomach, whines, and when moving, squats on its hind legs, it is necessary to urgently take it to the veterinarian.

Important! If your pet's internal organs are damaged, it can die within 24 hours, you must consult a doctor in time to prescribe treatment.

A sick dog will refuse to eat

What is hematuria

Unlike cat owners, it is very difficult for dog owners to determine that a dog is urinating blood. This is due to the fact that pets go to the toilet not in the litter box, but outside.

Most often, hematuria is detected during a general urine test, which is required for some purpose. But hematuria in itself is not a disease. This is a symptom of more serious pathologies, most of which can lead to death or disability.

What should a pet owner do?

If the presence of blood in the urine is not a one-time occurrence and is accompanied by other signs, you cannot do without the help of a veterinarian. Try to carefully observe the animal’s condition and note certain points in its behavior and urination process.

What position is the dog in when urination occurs?
What is the volume of urine excreted at a time, what shade.
Does your dog show obvious signs of pain when urinating or when not urinating?
How often does blood appear in the urine?
When did such a sign first appear, what do you think it is associated with?
Are there any signs of bleeding between urinations?

Do not try to carry out treatment yourself, so as not to harm your pet with inept actions. It is better to consult additionally with other specialists. Perhaps the doctor will prescribe additional tests, based on which further treatment is carried out.

A dog urinating blood can be both a warning sign and an unjustified panic.

It happens that the blood in a dog’s urine is not blood at all, but simply foods it has consumed of a specific color: beets or carrots. When a dog takes certain medications, it is also possible for its urine to turn a specific color. In any case, to confirm or refute your suspicions, you will need a comprehensive examination of the animal by a veterinarian.