When Dogs Pee Blood: What Are Its Causes And Treatment?

Many of us feel uncomfortable at the sight of blood. It’s a natural reaction, especially if you found it anywhere near your loved one. As canine owners, it sets an alarm bell in our head when dogs pee blood. It can be a terrifying experience, yes. But what should you do in cases such as this?

When dogs pee blood, it can be due to several reasons – some more terrifying than the others. Sometimes, it can mean your dog may have a certain disease or condition. But before you freak out, tell yourself to calm down and take a deep breath first. What you need is to take action.

Today, we are going to discuss the things you need to know when dogs pee blood.

When dogs pee blood: Hematuria in dogs

The term that describes the presence of blood in the urine is hematuria. To check whether or not there are red blood cells in the urine, you can detect this via checking the presence of blood or through diagnostic testing. 

While blood is often apparent when present in your dog’s urine, this is not always the case. This is to say that not just because you can’t see blood in the urine already meant your dog has no hematuria. The definitive way to see if there is indeed blood cells in your dog’s urine is via a diagnostic test.

What Are The Usual Causes When Dogs Pee Blood?

Like vomiting, fever, and diarrhea, blood in urine can be a symptom found in a variety of medical conditions. Some of the common possible causes are as follows.

• Blood-clotting Disorder. When dogs pee blood, one possible cause is a blood clotting disorder. This condition is usually accompanied by subdermal hemorrhages that often appear as bruises.

• Rat Poisoning. When dogs accidentally ingest poison intended for rats, they can experience lethargy, difficulty of breathing, bleeding gums, and even coughing with or without blood.

• Urinary Tract Infection. Just like us humans, dogs can get UTI infection. One of the common signs and symptoms include the presence of blood in the urine, painful or difficulty in urinating, dribbling urine, and fever.

• Nephritis. This is a condition wherein one or both kidneys are inflammed. Aside from the presence of blood in the urine, your dog may also exhibit vomiting, weight loss, pale gums, and mouth ulcers.

• Bladder Cancer. There are some dog breeds that are usually predisposed to develop this type of cancer. This includes Beagles, Scottish Terriers and Australian Shepherd.

• Chemotherapy can also cause your dog to urinate blood. This type of treatment for cancer can irritate your dog’s bladder, causing your dog’s pee to be bloody.

• Prostate Disease. When dogs have a disease in the prostate, this can also cause hematuria along with other symptoms related to lower UTI in dogs.

• Trauma. If your dog incurred trauma after an accident, they can experience hemorrhage in the bladder, which is why the 

Diagnosing Canine Hematuria

Since many reasons could be the reason why your dog has blood in their pee, it pays to take them to the local vet to let them handle the situation. While the possible causes are plenty, your vet should have the necessary knowledge and experience to pinpoint the main cause of your dogs’ hematuria. But how can you help check if your dog’s pee indeed has blood in it?

You can do this by placing a piece of white cloth or paper beneath your dog as they start to urinate. This way, you check if their urine is indeed discolorated. However, the best way is to collect urine samples of your dog’s pee in a clean container and take it immediately to your dog’s vet.

When you’re able to acquire a urine sample, your dog’s vet will start examining the urine. He will also check your dog for other signs and symptoms present. They will inspect your dog’s genitalia as part of the physical exam. 

As for the urine sample, they will use it for urinalysis. Your dog’s vet may order a series of other tests including blood chemistry workup ultrasound, dipstick colorimetric test, and blood pressure measurement. Once they get the results, it will be easier for them to diagnose the reason why your dog’s pee has blood on it. 

Treating Hematuria In Dogs

In order to treat your dog’s hematuria, your dog’s vet will have to check the main cause first. After that, they can start prescribing the best ways to treat hematuria. Usually, you can expect your dog’s vet to advise the following.

• Prescribe Medication. Depending on your dog’s medical condition, the vet will prescribe a series of medication your dog will have to take to treat hematuria.

• Special Diet. While under treatment, the vet may advise a new diet to help with the management of the symptoms. 

• Lifestyle Changes. In some cases, vets will allow and restrict certain activities that your dog can engage in to help with the recovery.

• Surgery. In extreme cases, your fur baby may need to undergo surgery to treat the cause of your dog’s hematuria.

As a dog owner, it is one of our responsibilities to know the medical history of our fur babies. This will make it easier for veterinarians in diagnosing our pets. If you’re able to acquire the medical history of your dog from its breeder, the shelter, or any previous owner, make sure to bring them along with you at every checkup. This should include your dog’s past medical conditions, diagnostic results, and prescribed medications.

When dogs pee blood, we dog owners can’t help but worry. However, what your dog needs are your empathy and understanding. Along with blood in urine, you may find your dog peeing in places they are not supposed to pee in. What matters the most is you get to understand the main reason behind your dog’s current situation. This way, you can address the issue and help them treat whatever the underlying condition may be.

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This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Internet.