Dogs cannot tell you when something is wrong. They show you their behavior, habits, and mess on the floor. Urinary issues are common in dogs. They range from mild to life-threatening. Knowing what to watch for can save your dog from pain. It can also save your vet bills. Here are common causes of urinary problems and the signs to watch for.
1.Urinary Tract Infections
UTIs are common in dogs. Bacteria get in, grow, and cause pain. Signs of UTIs are clear. Your dog strains to pee, and only a little comes out. They may cry when peeing. Their urine may also smell bad and look bloody and cloudy.
Dogs with UTIs may drink more. They may lick their private parts, and may seem tired. In case of UTIs, you must visit the vet immediately. Antibiotics will clear the infection, ensuring the health of your furry friend. Otherwise, if left unchecked, these infections can spread to the kidneys.
Some dogs get UTIs often. Dog urinary incontinence (狗狗漏尿) can look similar, but it is different. Incontinence is leaking, not straining. If your dog leaks when resting, it may be incontinence. On the other hand, UTIs cause straining and pain.
2.Bladder Stones
Stones form in the dog’s bladder. Minerals clump, grow, and scratch the bladder wall. They also block the flow. Its signs are the same as the signs of UTI, such as straining and blood in urine. But stones in the bladder can cause worse pain.
Some stones need a special diet to dissolve, while others need surgery. If stones block the urethra, it is an emergency. The dog cannot pee at all. This condition can kill your furry friend in days.
3.Kidney Diseases or Infection
Kidneys filter waste. When they fail, toxins build in your pet’s body. Infections can start in the kidneys or spread from the bladder. The signs of a kidney disease or infection include drinking a lot, peeing a lot, losing weight, bad breath, and vomiting.
Kidney disease is often slow. Owners notice over time. Your furry friend drinks more, pees more, and loses appetite. On the other hand, some infections can hurt your dog. The common signs of infections in your dog’s kidneys are fever and pain. Your furry friend may seem sick. In both cases, you need to visit a vet immediately. However, keep in mind that kidney disease can be managed, not cured. But some infections can be treated with antibiotics.
4.Bladder Blockages
Bladder blockage in your pet is an emergency situation. It can be due to stones, tumors, or swelling. All these block the flow, and the dog cannot pee. The signs of bladder blockage are clear, such as your dog strains hard and nothing comes. They also may cry and feel restless. Their belly may be hard.
Male dogs are more at risk of bladder blockages. Their urethra is long, narrow, and easy to get blocked. So, if your dog cannot pee, you should go to the vet now. Otherwise, the bladder can burst, and toxins can build up inside, leading to more serious issues.
5.Tumors
Tumors can grow in your furry friend’s bladder, kidneys, and urethra. The common signs of tumors are clear, such as blood in urine and straining. Moreover, these signs do not go away with antibiotics. Older dogs are more at risk of tumors. If the signs keep coming back, you must visit the vet, and they will look for tumors.
6.Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence is not straining. It is leaking. Your dog pees while resting, wakes up wet, and also leaves spots on the bed. This condition is common in older female dogs because their hormone levels drop and muscles weaken. However, male dogs can have incontinence too from prostate issues and nerve damage.
Incontinence is not painful. But it is messy. It can cause skin infections from wetness. But this condition can be managed with medications, bedding, and a proper routine.
