Blood In Dog Urine: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnoses
Last updated on March 23rd, 2023 at 07:13 am
Reading Time: 7 minutes
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Why Is There Blood In My Dogs Urine?
It’s normal to be possessive about our furry friends. As you not only pet them but bring them up with parental care. With that said, the sight of blood in dog urine may give you a panic attack. But don’t freak out. Having blood traces in a dog’s pee is not rare or abnormal. Plus, it happens due to various reasons. And, it is diagnosable and curable. So, if you find your dog peeing blood, you should see your vet immediately. Delaying may worsen the situation and cause harsh problems for both you and your dog. The quicker the better!
So, are you worried about your dog dripping blood? Well, you don’t need to worry about it. You are on the right page. This article will help you determine the symptoms, causes, and diagnoses of blood in dogs’ urine. So, first, let’s have a look at why dogs pee blood.
Symptoms – Blood In Dog Urine
In medical terms, blood or having invisible blood particles in urine is medically termed as “Hematuria.” Sadly, it is not weird in humans and animals these days. Likewise, it is not unusual for dogs to suffer from this more often. So, Hematuria (blood in dog urine) can be of two types.
- Gross Hematuria
The visible presence of blood in your dogs’ urine is known as Gross Hematuria. Usually, its color turns reddish-brown, pink, dark orange, or tea-colored. So, if the dog is suffering from Gross Hematuria, a vet would advise laboratory tests to find out the cause.
- Microscopic Hematuria
When there are no visible traces of blood in the dog’s urine, it is the sign of Microscopic Hematuria. But, you can still find fussy symptoms in your pup. So, your vet may suggest a diagnostic test. And for this, you need to provide a dog urine sample to undergo a testing process. Usually, test findings show blood particles or red blood cells. As a result, you need to be more observant and consult the vet right away.
Can I Find Out Easily Dog Dripping Blood?
Well, you can place a clean white cloth beneath the dog to find out the dog dripping blood. But, as we have seen above, sometimes the blood is not visible. So, how would you know? It would be the best option to collect a urine sample and show it to your vet.
Causes – Why Is My Dog Peeing Blood?
Various things may cause blood in dog urine. The most common are:
- UTI (Urinary Tract Infection),
- Hereditary diseases,
- Clotting issues,
- Traumas,
- Toxic food,
- Side effects of chemotherapy, etc.
UTI is in most cases the main cause in dogs peeing blood. Here, for your help, we have tried to elaborate on urinary tract infections (UTI). There are two parts to the urinary tracts the upper and lower. We’ll go over both parts down below.
- Upper Urinary Tract
It consists of the organs necessary for urine formation, like Kidneys. Traces of blood in dog urine are due to infections in the upper urinary tract. So, here is the list of such infections.
- Kidney Infections
Infection in one or both kidneys can cause a dog to drip blood while urinating. Also, dogs tend to get infected, either from the bacteria entering the (urethra) or bacteria elsewhere in the body. It then spreads through blood vessels and enters in kidneys.
- Idiopathic Renal Hematuria
So, Idiopathic means Unknown. Sometimes, Hematuria is not visible. In that case, a vet can’t figure out the causes by just physical examination. It might be because of internal infections, or it is due to medications or a weak immune system. No matter what, the vet would recommend some laboratory test for diagnosis.
- Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are unusual in dogs can also be one of the causes of your dog dripping blood.
- Kidney Cancers
It is a rare condition in dogs. At the same time, it can make a dog pee blood. And, you can’t find it easily while your dog is peeing. So, in that case, your pup may have some other symptoms as well, along with it.
- Renal Telangiectasia
It’s a condition where various blood vessels start to expand inside the kidney and cause blood in dogs’ urine. It is a contagious disease and is usually found in Corgi Breed dogs.
- Lower Urinary Tract
It includes the bladder and urethra, where the urine is stored. It means (tubes that allow urine to pass towards the exit of the tract.) Organs in the lower urinary tract usually cause blood in dog urine.
- Bladder Infection
So, it is one of the common causes of UTI in dogs. And it is an answer to the frequently asked question, why is my dog peeing blood? The bladder is mainly infected due to E-coli bacterium. Other causes may include skin allergies, diabetes, sensitivity to some food, etc.
- Bladder Stones
These are tiny particles that cause blockage in the urethra. It causes severe inflammation, itching, and difficulty in peeing. Aside from genetics, diet is mostly the reason behind stone formation in the bladder.
- A Prostate Issue in Male Dogs
Prostate enlargement and infections can cause dogs to drip blood while peeing.
- Bladder Cancer
It is not common in dogs. But cancer in the bladder or anywhere in the body can be the reason for blood traces in urine.
Key Notes – Why Is My Dog Peeing Blood
Usually, Hematuria is microscopic. And, you in most cases cannot easily see the traces of blood. But, a few symptoms show your dog might be peeing blood. Upon seeing any sign, you need to take your pup to a vet for a physical examination right away. So, here are some signs that normally present in dogs having UTI.
- A lot of peeing
- Your dog wants more time outside
- A dog may cry or strain while peeing
- Lost control in holding urine
- Urine accidents around the house
- Licking genitals in discomfort
These are signs on which you should take immediate action. Your vet may suggest you different laboratory tests that help find out the cause. Regardless of underlying symptoms, your pet’s unusual behavior can also indicate the problem.
Diagnosis – Blood in Dog Urine
Knowing the causes of blood in your dog’s urine can be tough. After all, we have already read the list of possible ones. But the good news is, most vets have ample knowledge and have equipped tools required to find out the core of the problem.
Also, it is important to inform your vet about the previous medical history and condition of your dog in detail. The vet would recommend carrying out some diagnostic tests according to the finding of physical inspection. These tests may include:
- Urinalysis
- Catheterization
- Blood culture
- Urine culture
- Kidney and bladder ultrasound
- Dipstick colorimetric test
- Biopsy (for cancer)
- And sometimes analytic surgeries
After diagnosis, evaluated results will help your vet begin with necessary and suitable treatments.
How Can I Stop My Dog from Peeing Blood?
It’s quite a scary sight to see your beloved dog having blood in its urine. It is maybe very itching and painful to endure. And your little pup is in big physical agony. However, you can make your dog healthy and fit by following these measures.
Take good care of your pup’s nutrition. Try not to give a diet to your dog that leads to kidney stones or can cause harm to the urinary tract. Instead, give dog meals that boost the immune system. Also, keep a good eye on its movements and places where it goes. At times, people place pesticides to get rid of rats and mice. And these poor dogs fall victim to these poisonous edibles. The pesticides are strong enough that their stomachs cannot digest them properly, resulting in bleeding.
It is also suggested to monitor your dog’s urinating behavior and habits. For example, how frequently does your pup pee, and is he doing it easily or having discomfort? Plus, regular visits to the vets for a detailed checkup are also befitting for the dog. Any disease or problem emerging inside can be detected at the very initial stage.
Possible Treatments of Dog Dripping Blood
So, according to test studies, the vet suggests a preferable treatment to be carried out to cure blood in dog urine. After diagnosis, if your dog is suffering from UTI, a vet may prescribe antibiotics. Plus, you need to complete the medicine course even if the issue is treated mid-way and signs are clear. Also, a vet may recommend pain killers or anti-inflammatory medicines to cure the itching and discomfort your pup is going through.
Final Words
As a dog parent, you are your pup’s best friend. So, to keep your friend healthy, it is vital to monitor his urination habits carefully. Change in diet can also help. It is because nutrition plays an essential role in keeping a healthy living. Also, you should add a healthy diet, mainly protein, to your dogs’ meals. Most importantly, always give your dog clean and fresh water no matter the cause of blood in dog urine. And encourage your furry friend to stay hydrated.
What Is The Meaning Of Dogs Peeing Blood?
Blood in dogs’ urine in most cases is a sign of a urinary tract infection. It’s super common for dogs to get it and more common for females than males.
UTI ( Urinary tract Infection ) is common in dogs. So don’t panic! They might urinate more often due to it and it’ll be more painful for them. You might see them tearing up or whining when peeing. Sometimes they might even pee out blood.
About The Author
Mother, Certified animal Behaviorist who loves pets. Has two dogs and a cat. Trained veterinarian and loves to write about her experiences.
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