Do you remember the last time your pet started having problems? I haven't always had an easy time figuring out what was going on with my animal, which is why I started thinking more seriously about taking the right steps to make sure things were going like they should be. I began focusing more seriously on my animal, and before I knew it, I was able to determine when he was and wasn't sick. When he was sick, I always took him in to my veterinarian for service, and I feel like that has saved his life a few times. Check out this blog for more information.
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Understanding Veterinary Care
Why Is Your Dog Having Trouble Peeing?
Cameron Torres
Dog owners, do you remember the joyous moment when it seemed like toilet training was working? Instead of unceremoniously relieving themselves in the corner of the room, your puppy began to sit by the back door waiting to be let out, giving you an expectant look. It's not as though you need to carefully note each time your dog goes outside to urinate, but you need to have some awareness of your dog's toilet habits. It's important to notice if these habits change. An inability to urinate can be a sign of serious trouble.
No Results
An affected dog may repeatedly attempt to urinate, with no results. If urine is produced, it might come in splashes, instead of a steady stream—and the process will be noticeably difficult for your dog. There may also be incontinence, with your dog involuntarily releasing urine due to the fullness of their bladder. In extreme cases, their abdomen can become swollen, and any urine that's produced can have traces of blood.
A Potential Emergency
If your dog is passing blood in their urine, and if this is accompanied by signs of disorientation, lethargy, and distress, you need to act quickly. This indicates that the cause of your dog's urinary troubles is threatening to overwhelm their immune system. Your dog needs to be assessed immediately, so consider taking them to your nearest ER veterinary clinic. These extreme symptoms may be caused by some forms of cancer (including prostate cancer in male dogs), an undiagnosed physical injury after an accident, or an advanced urinary tract infection.
Less Serious Causes
There are other possible causes for your dog's urinary issues that are less serious in the short-term, and so are unlikely to require emergency treatment. This can include a less advanced urinary tract infection, or a blockage (caused by bladder stones attempting to exit via the urethra). Even though the situation may not be an emergency, your dog must still be assessed by a vet.
Veterinary Treatment
Both emergency and non-emergency urinary problems must be formally diagnosed. Your dog will be checked for a urinary tract infection and may need a course of antibiotics. An x-ray will be performed to check for bladder stones. Depending on their size, they can be broken up by feeding your dog a specialized diet. Nonsurgical removal by inserting a catheter into the urethra to draw the stones out is also an option, but large bladder stones can require surgical removal. Your dog may also need hydration and even diuretics to induce urination. If the cause is due to a more serious illness (such as cancer), a treatment plan will be quickly formulated.
Keep an eye on a dog who is having trouble passing urine. The situation almost always needs veterinary assistance, and in some cases, emergency veterinary assistance.
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