This week I fielded a call from a concerned pet owner. Her dog was urinating excessively, couldn’t hold its urine until it got outside, and smelled of ammonia. She wanted to know what she could get over-the-counter instead of bringing the dog to the vet.
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People, people, people….
If this were your child, or yourself, wouldn’t you go to the people vet? If you were wetting yourself uncontrollably, would you just put on some Depends and tough it out? Would you take an aspirin and hope that would cure the problem? Would you dab a little sudsy ammonia behind your ears and claim that you use your new perfume everywhere so never mind that odor? I hope not.
And hope IS the issue. We hope that things will get better, preferably on their own. We hope that we can pay the necessities every month, like the cable bill for the big-screen TV. We hope that we don’t have to switch to a cheaper brand of cigarettes. And with that, I give you **blood in the urine**…
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My dog had blood in his urine. Should I be concerned?
There are many different reasons that your pets may have blood in their urine. Blood can enter the urinary system from the kidneys (upper urinary system), the urethra (lower urinary system), or the bladder. These three components of the urinary system are susceptible to inflammation, infection, or cancer resulting in the release of blood into the urine.
Depending on the disease and severity, your pet may not show any other symptoms other than blood in his urine. If you suspect your pet may have blood in their urine, consult your veterinarian immediately. Upon examination, your veterinarian can determine what test (i.e. urinalysis, blood work, etc.) may be needed to diagnose and treat your pet.
Disclaimer: This section is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for regular veterinary care through a licensed veterinarian, including regular office visits.
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