Why is my dog ​​urinating blood? Everything you need to know

Have you ever been concerned about seeing blood in your dog's urine? Hematuria, or the presence of blood in the urine, can be an alarming sign for pet owners. But how serious is it really? What are the causes behind this symptom? In this Waggy's blog, we're going to explore everything you need to know about hematuria in dogs, from the possible reasons why your pet might be urinating blood to how to identify if it's a serious problem. Stay informed and learn how to best care for your dog in these types of situations. Your peace of mind and health are our priority!

What does it mean when a dog pees blood?

When a dog urinates blood, a symptom known as hematuria, it can be a sign of health problems that range in severity. Common causes include urinary tract infections, bladder stones, trauma, or prostate disease in unneutered male dogs. It can also be related to more serious problems such as urinary tract tumors, poisoning, or clotting disorders. It's important to watch for other symptoms such as painful urination, lethargy, or behavioral changes, and see your veterinarian right away for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of hematuria in dogs

Hematuria in dogs can be caused by a variety of conditions that affect the urinary system or the animal's general health. Common causes include:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Bacteria can irritate the bladder or urethra, causing inflammation and blood in the urine.
• Urinary stones: Crystals or stones in the bladder or kidneys can cause irritation or damage to the urinary tract.
• Trauma: Blows or injuries to the abdomen or pelvic area can affect the urinary tract, making it prone to infections.
• Tumors or neoplasms: Abnormal growths in the kidneys, bladder, or urethra can break blood vessels and cause hematuria.
• Coagulation disorders: Diseases such as hemolytic anemia or poisoning (e.g. with rodenticides and copper) can prevent normal blood clotting.
• Prostate Diseases: In unneutered male dogs, conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, or prostatic tumors can cause bleeding.
• Parasitic infections: Some intracellular parasites such as babesia, tapeworms or kidney worm which can affect the urinary system.
• Inflammation or irritation: Conditions such as idiopathic cystitis, especially in dogs with stress or urinary sensitivity.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of hematuria in dogs include:

• Abnormally colored urine: Blood may give your urine a pink, reddish, or dark brown color.
• Straining to urinate (dysuria): The dog may show difficulty, pain or discomfort when trying to urinate.
• Frequent urination in small amounts (pollakiuria): You may try to urinate repeatedly but with small amounts each time.
• Pain or signs of discomfort: The dog may cry or show tenderness when you touch his abdomen or pelvic area.
• Changes in behavior: Some dogs become more lethargic, irritable or restless.
• Urine with a bad smell: In cases of infections, urine may have a stronger or more unpleasant smell.
• Loss of appetite and energy: If hematuria is associated with a more serious illness, it is common to notice general symptoms of weakness.
• Vomiting or fever: In advanced or severe cases, such as kidney infections or poisoning, these signs may appear.

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What to give a dog with blood in urine?

Treatment depends on the cause, for example; If hematuria is caused by a urinary tract infection, your veterinarian should provide antibiotics and anti-inflammatories; If hematuria is caused by stones, they must be removed with a urinary catheter or surgery; If hematuria is secondary to trauma, the cause must be found, either by active bleeding, which must be controlled by surgery, or if it is caused by muscle destruction, which will decrease as the patient recovers. That is why it is necessary to take the patient to the veterinarian to find the cause of hematuria in order to treat it appropriately.

How serious is blood in a dog's urine?

The presence of blood in a dog's urine can vary in severity depending on the cause. In some cases, such as urinary tract infections or stones, it may be a treatable condition with timely veterinary attention. However, it could also be a symptom of more serious problems such as cancer in dogs , kidney disease, or clotting disorders, which require prompt diagnosis and specific treatment. Although it does not always represent an emergency, it should never be ignored, as even seemingly minor causes can worsen if not attended to in time.

Tips to prevent hematuria in dogs

Preventing hematuria in dogs involves taking care of their general health and urinary system through simple but effective measures:

• Proper Hydration: Make sure your dog always has access to fresh, clean water to keep his urinary system functioning properly and prevent the formation of crystals or stones from unpurified water.
• Balanced diet: Provide a quality diet, adapted to your dog's needs, avoiding foods that may promote the formation of stones or urinary irritation. Therefore, it is important to know the best diet for dogs .
• Infection Control: Take your dog for regular veterinary checkups to detect and treat urinary tract infections early.
• Healthy urination habits: Allow your dog to urinate regularly, avoiding holding urine for long periods, as this can irritate the bladder or facilitate infections.
• Avoid stress: Minimize stress factors, as they can influence urinary problems, especially in cases of idiopathic cystitis. Help your dog face the most stressful moments with peace of mind and without losing its natural energy thanks to our new line of dog supplements , Waggy's RELAX, the 100% natural solution to reduce nervousness. Formulated with Green Tea, Ashwagandha, Valerian and L-Tryptophan, this supplement is ideal for calming your pet during storms, fireworks, trips or visits to the vet, without causing drowsiness. Perfect for relieving fear of loud noises or separation anxiety, RELAX combines effectiveness and flavor in delicious soft chews that your dog will love. Give your dog the calm he needs and transform stress into well-being with RELAX, your ally for difficult times!

• Constant monitoring: Observe any changes in the color, quantity or frequency of urine, as well as signs of pain (continuous, shallow urine) and act quickly if any abnormalities are detected.
• Injury prevention: Avoid situations where your dog may suffer trauma, since serious muscle injuries generate muscle waste in the urine that appears as bleeding in the urine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dog ​​urinate blood and it smells bad?

If your dog is urinating blood and the urine has a strong or unpleasant odor, it could be a sign of a serious urinary tract infection, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bacterial cystitis. Bacteria can cause inflammation in the bladder and other areas of the urinary system, resulting in not only blood in the urine but also a foul odor due to the bacteria present. It could also be caused by bladder or kidney stones, which can irritate the urinary tract and cause bleeding. Other possible causes include tumors in the urinary tract or kidney disease. This type of symptom should be evaluated quickly by a veterinarian to determine the exact cause and avoid serious complications.

What happens if my dog ​​urinates blood with clots?

If your dog is urinating blood with clots, it is a sign that indicates a potentially serious problem in her urinary or reproductive system. Causes can include severe infections, bladder stones, trauma, tumors or complications in her reproductive system, such as uterine infections (pyometra). The presence of clots suggests more significant bleeding that may be difficult to control without medical attention. This symptom should be treated as an emergency, especially if accompanied by lethargy, fever, difficulty urinating or abdominal pain. It is essential to go to the vet immediately for a proper diagnosis and timely treatment.

Why is there blood in the urine of older dogs?

In older dogs, blood in urine can be caused by age-related problems and natural wear and tear on the body. Common causes include recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder stones, chronic kidney disease, or prostate problems in males. Tumors or neoplasias in the urinary system are also more likely to occur in older dogs. In addition, their immune system may be less efficient, increasing susceptibility to infections and inflammation. Since these conditions can progress and become serious, it is crucial to seek veterinary care to identify the cause and provide appropriate treatment.

Conclusion