Urinary problems with dogs

Urinary problems in dogs are relatively common, and can be the result of both behavioral and physical problems that can affect health. Behavioral problems, including uncleanliness, are not veterinary emergencies, but other serious conditions can be very similar and can be absolute veterinary emergencies.

For example, anuria or blood in the urine are often caused by serious illnesses and require urgent intervention. Therefore, it is particularly important to know how to recognize the different urinary disorders of the dog in order to be able to react properly in case of abnormality and, above all, not to confuse a serious leptospirosis with a simple cystitis.

 

What are the types of urinary problems in dogs?

A urinary problem can take many forms in dogs, and the different disorders can have different causes and consequences.

Anuria and urinary retention
Anuria is the absence of urine production. It should not be confused with urinary retention, in which urine is produced but retained in the bladder and not released.

Dysuria
Dysuria is a medical term for painful and difficult urination, usually manifested by complaints when the animal tries to eliminate.

Polyuria
Polyuria, as opposed to anuria, is the emission of a large quantity of urine, which may be due to a metabolic pathology, but also to a psychological disorder called potomania. Potomania is a compulsive disorder that leads the dog to drink water in abundance, far beyond its vital needs. Polyuria caused by potomania is not a veterinary emergency, but it is still necessary to consult a professional to treat this psychological disorder that can lead to kidney problems by overtaxing these organs.

Urinary frequency
Pollakiuria is an increase in the frequency of elimination in the dog, which often tries to urinate, but usually only emits a few drops.

Uncleanliness
Sudden uncleanliness in a normally clean dog usually indicates either physical or psychological distress.

Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the inability of the animal to hold its urine. The dog has small unconscious leaks. Urinary incontinence must be distinguished from uncleanliness, because the dog does not change its behavior, but relieves itself completely involuntarily, without even realizing it. The same pathology can be manifested by different urinary disorders, but usually one disorder is typical of a disease. Urinary problems in dogs are also often accompanied by other symptoms that help to orient the diagnosis towards one pathology rather than another.

 

 

 

The symptoms of a urinary problem in dogs

There are many different types of urinary problems that can occur in dogs, and the symptoms vary depending on the disorder. Anuria is the absence of urine production: not only does the dog not urinate, but the bladder remains empty. Dysuria and pollakiuria are manifested by an unusual behavior of the animal during urination, i.e. when it tries to urinate.

It may try to urinate more often than usual without succeeding in emitting urine, or it may complain during urination. Polyuria is characterized by very heavy urination and a higher than usual frequency of elimination. It should be noted, however, that urinary disorders are themselves symptoms, not diseases.

They are therefore caused by other factors, but are not themselves triggers for disease, although they can lead to complications that damage the dog's urinary system and kidneys. Finally, urinary problems in dogs are often accompanied by other symptoms specific to the disease that is causing the problem.

Thus, depression, prostration, fever, blood in the urine, digestive or nervous disorders may occur at the same time as a urinary disorder, especially if the underlying disease is serious.

 

Urinary tract infections, cystitis

Cystitis is a common condition in dogs, consisting of an inflammation of the bladder wall, usually due to a bacterial infection. It manifests itself by dysuria, sometimes accompanied by blood in the urine, as well as by pollakiuria.

These painful symptoms (dysuria makes urination very uncomfortable) often drive the dog to be unclean, either to show his discomfort or because it is too painful to hold back and wait for his walk to urinate.

Metabolic diseases

Certain metabolic diseases can also cause urinary problems, such as diabetes and renal failure. In these cases, the animal will tend to drink more, because it feels a permanent sensation of thirst typical of these pathologies.

This often leads to polyuria, and blood can often be seen in the animal's urine. Kidney stones can also cause blockages that can manifest themselves as anuria and constitute an absolute emergency.

 

Trauma and shock

Trauma, whether physical or emotional, can lead to urinary disorders that vary depending on the nature of the shock suffered by the dog. An emotional shock or psychological discomfort can manifest itself by uncleanliness and even cause stress cystitis, while a physical trauma will lead to various symptoms depending on the organs affected.

For example, kidney damage can cause kidney failure, which will manifest itself - among other things - by polyuria. Blood in your dog's urine can also be the result of a violent shock that caused internal bleeding.

 

Tumor Diseases

Bladder cancer or tumors in the dog's urinary tract are conditions that can interfere with urination.

A tumor may create a blockage causing anuria or urine retention, or conversely, it may decrease the volume of the bladder and cause more frequent urination.

 

Parasitic diseases

Some parasitic diseases, such as Leptospirosis, Piroplasmosis or Pyelonephritis, can manifest themselves by the presence of blood in the animal's urine. These diseases are extremely serious and can lead to the death of your dog: if in doubt, consult a veterinarian quickly.

 

Genetic diseases

Certain genetic abnormalities or hereditary diseases are also likely to cause urinary disorders in dogs. This is, for example, the case of Cystinuria which induces a deterioration of the renal functions of dogs.

The genetic mutation responsible for this anomaly affects 26% of Newfoundland dogs, and is also found in Landseers. Ureteral Ectopia, Renal Cortical Hypoplasia, Renal Dysplasia, Amyloidosis and Glomerulopathy are also hereditary conditions causing deterioration of the urinary system of the dog

 

Degenerative syndromes

The urinary system of dogs ages along with the animal's body, and therefore its renal and urinary functions tend to degenerate with age. It is possible for an older dog to have renal failure, or urethral sphincter incontinence (USI) leading to uncleanliness.

 

Poisoning

A dog that has been poisoned by swallowing a dangerous substance may have urinary problems, the most common being the presence of blood in the urine. This is especially true of dogs that have accidentally swallowed anticoagulants, whether in the form of human medication (aspirin) or household products (rat poison).

 

 

What are the consequences of a urinary problem in dogs?

Urinary problems in dogs are generally symptoms and not pathologies, so the consequences depend on the severity of the underlying disease. In the case of tumors or metabolic diseases, the prognosis is more reserved, because the recovery of the animal depends on the stage of evolution of the disease and the severity of the damage to its vital organs.

Some diseases such as cystitis, on the other hand, are generally treatable, but there is a risk of generalized infection if the dog is not treated, as well as recurrence, even if the disease is cured. Parasitic diseases and poisoning, sometimes manifested by the presence of blood in the urine - often impressively - are absolute veterinary emergencies.

Without prompt veterinary care, the animal's prognosis is life-threatening and its chances of survival are highly dependent on the nature of the disease or poison involved. Anuria, regardless of the cause, is also a true veterinary emergency, as it suggests that the dog is no longer able to eliminate toxins from its body.

Without prompt intervention, the dog is at risk of coma and death.

 

What to do if you have problems?

If you detect a urinary problem in your four-legged friend, the best thing to do is to go quickly to a veterinarian. Some symptoms should alert you more than others: anuria or blood in the urine are absolute emergencies and your pet's survival may be a matter of hours.

Dysuria and pollakiuria are more symptomatic of a bacterial infection, a condition that is not an emergency, but should not be taken lightly either. Whether your pet has urinary incontinence, uncleanliness or anuria, it is always important to keep plenty of fresh water available.

Excessive thirst should not be curbed either, as this can lead to dehydration and accelerate the deterioration of the animal's kidney organs.

 

FAQ

How can I tell if my dog has a urinary problem?
Urinary problems in dogs can be detected by observing abnormalities in their elimination behavior. Difficulty urinating, too much or too little, urine that is too dark or too light, possibly with traces of blood, are symptoms of urinary problems.

My dog has a urinary problem, what does that mean?
Urinary problems can be related to many different diseases, and your dog can suffer from a simple cystitis as well as a serious parasitic disease or kidney failure. The most important thing to remember is that a lack of urine and/or the presence of blood in a dog's urine are absolute veterinary emergencies. Frequent urination or painful urination are usually less serious, but must be treated promptly by a veterinarian to avoid complications.

What should I do if my dog has a urinary problem?
If your dog has a urinary problem, it is important to take him to a veterinarian to diagnose the cause. If your dog is unclean without any symptoms, he may be trying to communicate a physical or psychological problem. In this case, look for anything in his environment or in his daily life that could be a source of stress and anxiety. If the problem persists, don't hesitate to call a behaviorist or a specialized dog trainer, after having ruled out any physiological cause with a veterinarian.

What are the risks of a urinary problem in dogs?
A dog with a urinary tract problem can have a minor bacterial infection or a more serious disease. The risks involved depend on the underlying disease, but in the case of anuria or the presence of blood in the urine, your dog's prognosis may be life-threatening.

Urinary problems in dogs are common and can be the result of metabolic, parasitic, hereditary or infectious disorders or psychological distress. In the latter case, there is often a lack of cleanliness that is not associated with dejection or any other symptom.

Regardless of the urinary disorder your dog is experiencing, it is important to schedule a veterinary consultation to investigate the causes and implement appropriate treatment. Also keep in mind that anuria and blood in your dog's urine are life-threatening emergencies.