Blood in Dog Urine

Blood in Dog Urine - Possible Causes

• Urinary Tract Infections
  One of the most common causes of bloody urine in dogs is urinary tract infections. Female dogs are more prone to dog UTIs because of their shorter urethra, making it easier for bacteria to make their way up the urinary tract. If your dog has UTI, she may urinate more frequently and may even be incontinent. She may strain while urinating and may have back pain and a fever.
• Bladder or Kidney Stones
  Another common cause of blood in dog urine is bladder stones which are urinary mineral deposits that gather in the urinary tract and crystalize over time. They are most commonly found in the bladder, but can also be found in the entire urinary tract. In cases where the stones are very small like bits of gravel, these stones may be eliminated in the urine and may not cause too much pain to the dog, although you may see traces of blood in the dog's urine. Larger bladder stones can cause a dog to strain while urinating. The dog may need to urinate more frequently and sometimes there may be dribbling or even accidents in inappropriate places.
• Yeast Infections
  Dog yeast infections (Candida) can be another cause of bloody urine in dogs, because Candida can cause bladder infections. Besides blood in urine, dogs with Candida will show other symptoms such as ear infections, digestive problems (e.g. flatulence, diarrhea, etc.), and skin irritations (e.g. eczema, hot spots, hives, etc.)
• Prostate Problems
  If your male intact dog has blood in his urine, he may have a prostate problem, such as inflammation of the prostate caused by bacterial infection. When inflammation is present, blood will come at the end of urination rather than throughout urination. Urination may become more frequent and the dog may strain to urinate. The dog may also be feverish.
• Trauma and Injuries
  Dogs with internal injuries may appear unhurt on the outside but may have blood in the urine. If your dog has recently had some kind of accident (e.g. hit by a car, a bad fall), he may have sustained internal injuries.
• Poisoning
  Dogs that have ingested anti-coagulant rat poison (warfarin) suffer from blood-clotting problems which result in bloody urine. In addition, the dog will show other signs of poisoning, which include vomiting, diarrhea, and restlessness. Rat poisoning is an emergency which requires immediate veterinary attention.

Blood in Dog Urine - Less Common Causes

• Cancer of the urinary tract (e.g. bladder cancer)
• For male dogs, prostate cancer
• Congenital urinary tract abnormalities
• Some medications such as cyclophosphamide (a drug used to treat cancer and immune disorder)
• Bleeding from the kidney of unknown cause

Blood in Dog Urine - When to See a Vet