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Few things set off the alarm bells in our heads like the sight of blood. Finding blood anywhere on your dog is disconcerting, and finding it in your dog’s urine is downright terrifying, whether you notice it yourself or your veterinarian discovers it during your dog’s appointment.
There are many different diseases and conditions that can cause blood in dog urine, including urinary tract infections, trauma, toxins like rat poison, and in rare cases, even cancer. Here is what you need to know about this symptom, and what it could mean for your dog.
The technical term for blood in urine is hematuria. The presence of these red blood cells in your dog’s urine can be detected either visually or by using diagnostic testing.
Oftentimes, we don’t notice bloody urine right away. After all, it’s not like we really want to be staring at our dogs while they pee. Sometimes, though, bloody urine is obvious, especially if your dog urinates on a light colored surface, like snow, carpet, or the floor. This discoloration can present as almost normal, amber, orange, red, or brown.
Other times, blood in the urine is not this obvious, and it takes a diagnostic test to discover red blood cells. Your dog’s urine may appear normal and still contain blood.
There are other conditions that can lead to discolored urine, so the first thing you should do if you notice your dog’s urine is a funny color is contact your veterinarian.
Blood in urine is one of those symptoms, like vomiting and diarrhea, which are present in a wide range of conditions. Here are just a few of the conditions that can lead to blood in your dog’s urine to give you an idea of the extent of possible causes.
This list can feel a little overwhelming, which is where your veterinarian steps in to help with her diagnostic differentials.
Diagnosing the cause behind your dog’s hematuria can be complicated, as you can guess by looking at the extensive list of possible causes, but most veterinarians are well equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to pinpoint the underlying condition.
You can help, too, by seeing for yourself if your dog’s urine is discolored. The Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, Dr. Jerry Klein, recommends placing a piece of white paper or cloth beneath your dog as they urinate. This will show you if the urine is discolored, and he also recommends attempting to collect a urine sample in a container for your veterinarian. If you can’t get the sample to your veterinarian immediately, he suggests placing it in the refrigerator until you can take it to your vet.
Your veterinarian may begin this process with a physical examination. In the exam, she may visually inspect your dog’s genital areas; palpate your dog’s abdomen, bladder, kidneys, and prostate; and check your dog for any other symptoms that appear out of the ordinary, like bruising.
Once the physical examination is complete, there are several different diagnostic tests that your veterinarian may perform, depending on the findings of the physical exam and any other symptoms your dog may present with.
Some of these tests may include a dipstick colorimetric test, urinalysis, ultrasound, radiograph, blood pressure measurement, catheterization, a blood chemistry workup, coagulation profile, cystourethroscopy, endoscopy, biopsies, and in some cases, exploratory surgery.
These tests, ultimately, will provide your veterinarian with the information she needs to narrow down the potential causes of the blood in your dog’s urine.
What Causes Blood in Dog Urine?
Blood in the urine is called hematuria. The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters, the bladder, and urethra, and bleeding can come from any of these areas and end up in the urine. In addition, blood in the urine can originate from the reproductive system if the dog is not spayed or neutered. There are many potential causes for this bleeding, but its often caused by a condition that irritates the urinary tract.
Though uncommon, hematuria may also occur due to a bleeding or clotting disorder. In addition, some toxins, including certain types of rat poison, can cause clotting problems that lead to blood in the urine.
Some forms of cancer, such as transition cell carcinoma, are known to cause blood in the urine. In addition, chemotherapy may lead to hematuria in dogs.
Potential causes of blood in dog urine include:
If all conditions have been ruled out, your veterinarian may diagnose idiopathic renal hematuria. Idiopathic means that the cause is unknown.
In cats, stress is believed to be a factor in a condition called feline idiopathic cystitis (bladder inflammation with unknown cause). While canine idiopathic cystitis is rare, stress can certainly impact urinary tract health and lead to a UTI with hematuria.
Symptoms of Blood in the Urine in Dogs
The primary symptom is blood in the urine itself, which can be seen in a range of discoloration, ranging from amber to red, orange or brown. This symptom may or may not be accompanied by abnormally frequent urination, evident abdominal pain or discomfort, and hemorrhages below the skin manifesting themselves as bruises.
However, no other symptoms may be present, and the presence of blood in the urine, depending on its concentration, may not markedly change the color of your dog’s urine to the extent that you will notice it. Often, the detection of hematuria only occurs during routine health examinations or testing for another health problem that requires a urinalysis.
There are other possible causes for discolored urine. It is important to note that consumption of beets can cause red-tinted urine, so if the color is the only indicator, be sure that your dog hasn’t consumed beets recently.