It’s natural to feel alarmed if you notice blood in your dog’s urine. You’d want to know why it is happening and whether to wait it out or head to the vet immediately. Blood in urine (hematuria) can occur for a variety of reasons.
While some of these reasons are mild, others are severe but all warrant booking an appointment with a veterinarian in Alpharetta, GA. If you’re wondering, “Why is my dog peeing blood?” read on for the possible causes, what to do, and treatment options.
The Top Causes of Blood in Dog Urine
Some of the most common causes of blood in dog urine include the following:
Upper Urinary Tract Issues
The two kidneys make up the upper urinary tract in dogs, just like in other mammals. If there’s blood in the urine due to an upper urinary tract problem, the kidneys are usually compromised in some capacity. Some of the leading causes of bleeding in the upper urinary tract include:
- Kidney infection. Blood in the urine is usually a sign of infection in one or both kidneys.
- Kidney stones. Dogs rarely develop kidney stones, but the condition can lead to blood in the urine.
- Kidney cancer. This is another uncommon condition that may cause blood in your dog’s urine. The cancer might remain in the kidneys or spread to other parts of the body.
- Genetic disorders. Some dogs are genetically predisposed to the blood vessels in the kidney widening and causing blood in the urine.
Lower Urinary Tract Issues
The lower urinary tract in dogs includes the urethra and bladder. Some of the most common causes of bleeding here are:
- Bladder infection. A lower urinary tract infection is one of the most common reasons for blood in a dog’s urine. Various factors can cause an infection in your dog’s bladder, ranging from skin allergies to incontinence.
- Bladder stones. Stones can form in your dog’s bladder for a variety of reasons, including nutrition problems, chronic infection, and genetics.
- Bladder cancer. The symptoms of bladder cancer in dogs are similar to the symptoms of a UTI. It can make urination difficult and cause blood in the urine.
- Prostatic disease. In male dogs, prostate infection and prostate enlargement can lead to blood in the urine.
Trauma or Injury
Has your dog recently suffered major trauma, such as getting hit by a vehicle or falling from a height? The urinary tract may have sustained injuries that will introduce blood to the urine.
Poison
Your dog may ingest antifreeze or rodenticide. The adverse effects of these poisons can lead to bloody urine.
Ingestion of rodenticide is the most common cause of poison-related blood in the urine. If you’ve recently dropped some of these around your home and you’re now wondering, “Why is my dog peeing blood?” it’s highly likely that your dog has ingested a pack.
Rodenticides have to be tasty to attract rodents. Unfortunately, it also means that dogs and other pets may have a nibble. Some dogs may also ingest second-hand poison by eating poisoned rodents.
What to Do if Your Dog Is Peeing Blood
One of the most important bits of advice you’ll receive on this topic is to avoid making any assumptions. You need to seek the help of a veterinarian immediately if you see blood in your dog’s urine.
Using home remedies or assuming that the dog has a UTI and you can just wait for symptoms to resolve is dangerous. Here’s a quick run-through of what you should do:
- Collect a urine sample. Where possible, use a clean, shallow container to collect the dog’s urine.
- Take note of the symptoms. If your dog is experiencing any other symptoms beyond the bloody urine, be sure to document them. It can help your veterinarian make a more accurate diagnosis. Some of the symptoms you may notice include frequent urination, weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, and more.
- Consult your vet. Your vet will thoroughly evaluate your dog’s health using the right combination of diagnostic procedures.
- Adhere to the treatment plan. After the vet arrives at a diagnosis, adhere strictly to the treatment plan to ensure a full recovery for your furry friend.
Treatment Options for Blood in the Urine in Dogs
The right treatment for your dog will depend on the underlying cause of the problem. Most treatments will begin with stabilization. During this process, the vet will use intravenous fluids to treat dehydration and blood transfusion to reverse a low red blood cell count.
Treatment for Infections
Veterinarians treat infections in the urinary tract, bladder and kidneys using antibiotics. The type of antibiotics will depend on your dog’s medical history and the infection area.
Treatment for Stones
Treatment for bladder and kidney stones involves dietary changes to lower protein, phosphorous, and magnesium in your dog’s body.
The vet will also recommend increased water intake to encourage more urine production and break up the stones. In more severe cases, your dog may need to undergo surgery to remove the stones.
Treatment for Tumors
The treatment for tumors depends on the site and other unique details of the diagnosis. The veterinarian may recommend visiting an oncologist for specialized diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment for Poisoning
The treatment approach here depends on the type of poison your dog ingested. For cases of rodenticide poisoning, the treatment will revolve around returning calcium, electrolyte, and phosphorous to normal levels.
Treatment for Trauma or Injury
If injury or trauma is the cause of blood in your dog’s urine, treatment will depend on the extent of the injury and where the damage occurred.
Get Help for Your Dog at Midway Animal Hospital
Time is of the essence when you notice blood in your dog’s urine. If you are asking, “Why is my dog peeing blood?” you need to book a consultation with a vet as soon as possible.
At Midway Animal Hospital, we can thoroughly diagnose your dog and recommend the best course of treatment. We’ll discuss medications and more. Visit our contact page to find our clinic.
