Why Is My Dog Peeing Blood? Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Occasional accidents in the home are not uncommon in an adult or house-trained dog. However, if you see blood in your dog’s urine, it may be a sign of a medical condition such as a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or another health problem that should be addressed by your veterinarian right away. Blood in the urine is called hematuria, and there are several signs, reasons, and treatments for this condition.

What does it look like?

Hematuria can come in several forms and can be quite alarming when you first notice it. Most dogs with blood in their urine may dribble small amounts and squat frequently to urinate, and others may urinate a large volume, which can indicate an immediate veterinary emergency. Bloody urine can look very red, thick, or dilute, depending on the dog and the condition causing it. In either case, it’s essential to contact a veterinarian whenever you see blood in your dog’s urine.

Are there any predispositions in dogs for having blood in urine and urine problems?

Certain dog breeds can be predisposed to hematuria and urinary tract issues, but these problems are usually caused by bladder stones. Breeds prone to bladder stones include the Yorkshire Terrier, the Bichon Frise, the Shih Tzu, the Miniature Schnauzer, and the Lhasa Apso. Bladder stones are formations of calcified minerals that form in the urinary bladder. When these stones accumulate in the bladder, they cause inflammation, which in turn causes hematuria.

What causes blood in urine?

Several conditions cause blood to appear in your dog’s urine, and these vary depending upon where they occur, either in the upper urinary tract or the lower urinary tract.

Causes of Blood in the Urine in Dogs

Urinary Tract Problems

The urinary tract is divided into two areas, the upper urinary tract and the lower urinary tract.

Upper Urinary Tract Problems

The upper urinary tract consists of the kidneys and related structures such as the ureters (the tubes that transfer fluids from the kidneys to the bladder). Hematuria that originates in the upper urinary tract can result from several issues listed below.

Renal/Kidney Cancer

No one likes to hear the term “cancer,” but renal, or kidney cancer, can be a cause of blood in your dog’s urine. Masses or tumors that form in the renal tubules of the kidneys can cause inflammation and bleeding. Although it is rare, this form of cancer can be quite aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body. Regular checkups with your veterinarian are important in the early detection of this cancer.

The treatment for kidney cancer is a “nephrectomy,” or the surgical removal of the affected kidney. But this surgery will only work if one of the kidneys is functioning.

Renal Telangiectasia

Renal telangiectasia is a rare condition where blood vessels become dilated and enlarged in the kidneys, and this condition can cause bloody urine and a degree of abdominal discomfort in dogs. Although rare in most breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi appears to be genetically predisposed to this issue which can be detected via ultrasound imaging.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for renal telangiectasia, and upon diagnosis, most dogs gradually fall ill due to chronic kidney failure. However, those dogs who have been diagnosed with mild telangiectasia can remain clinically normal and live a long life.

Kidney Infection

Kidney infections can also cause your dog to urinate blood. And depending on the dog and severity of the infection, one or both of a dog’s kidneys could be affected. Kidney infection in dogs is called “pyelonephritis” and can also affect the ureters. Pyelonephritis is typically caused by bacteria that migrate to the upper urinary tract from the bladder. This condition is usually treated with a special diet and antibiotics.

READ MORE: Kidney Care for Dogs

Kidney Stones

While uncommon, kidney stones can affect one or both kidneys resulting in the presence of blood in the urine. Kidney stones are hardened accumulations of minerals, and these stones come in different shapes and sizes. When stones form in the kidneys, their sharp edges can cause painful irritation and inflammation, which in turn causes blood in the urine.

The treatment for kidney stones is surgery (which may affect proper kidney function), and something called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in which shock waves are used to break up stones in the kidneys and ureter so that they become small enough to pass through in the urine.

RELATED: Can Dog Recover from Kidney Failure?

Lower Urinary Tract Problems

The lower urinary tract includes the bladder and the urethra (the tube that connects the bladder) and allows urine to exit the body.

Bladder Stones

Bladder stones are called “uroliths” or “cystic calculi,” and like kidney stones, are rock-like formations of minerals that form in the bladder. Bladder stones are more common in dogs than kidney stones. Bladder stones are made up of different kinds of crystals, usually calcium oxalate, struvite (the most common), urate, and cystine crystals. These crystals form stones that sit in the bladder and can cause inflammation, blood in the urine, and in some cases, urethral blockages.

Certain breeds are predisposed to bladder stones, such as Shih Tzus, Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasa Apsos, Yorkshire Terriers, and Bichon Frises. Depending on the size of the stones, and how many are in the bladder, there are three kinds of treatment. Some cases can be treated with a special diet that can help dissolve the stones, surgical removal, or non-surgical removal by a urohydropropulsion method (where the stones are flushed from the bladder).

Bladder Infection

A lower urinary tract infection, or a “UTI,” is the most common cause of blood in a dog’s urine. UTIs are caused by a variety of things, ranging from the anatomy of the urethra in unspayed females to hormone-related incontinence, to simple skin allergies. Bladder infections in dogs often occur when bacteria travel up the urethra and into the bladder. While urine in the bladder is sterile, once bacteria infiltrate the bladder, they can grow and create a UTI.

Treatments for bladder infections in dogs often involve prescribing an antibiotic as well as an anti-inflammatory pain medication to reduce the inflammation. In some cases, a special diet may also be recommended by the veterinarian.

Bladder Cancer

Another cause of blood in a dog’s urine is bladder cancer. The most common type of bladder cancer is called a “transitional cell carcinoma,” or a TCC. A TCC is a tumor that lines the inside of the urinary bladder. Other bladder tumors include fibrosarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, and other types of tumors. Unfortunately, bladder tumors can also appear in the kidneys, ureters, urethra, prostate, or vagina, and can spread to the bones, lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs.

The treatment for bladder cancer involves resection of the bladder containing the tumor and a regimen of postoperative chemotherapy.

Prostate Problems

The prostate is a gland located near the neck of the urinary bladder of intact male dogs. Prostate problems occur more frequently in intact males and result in blood in the dog’s urine and more frequent urination or straining to defecate. When the prostate becomes enlarged, it can cause inflammation and irritation, and in turn bloody urine.

The treatment for prostate problems in dogs depends on the cause and the type of disease, whether it’s a tumor or a bacterial infection. Since most prostate issues occur in unneutered males, veterinarians suggest neutering as a preventative measure.

Other problems

Other issues that can cause blood in your dog’s urine include some of the following:

• Trauma, such as an injury to the bladder or kidneys.
• A low number of clotting factors in your dog’s blood, such as platelets or thrombocytes.
• Chemotherapy if your dog is receiving this kind of treatments.
• Unknown or “idiopathic” causes.
• Inflammatory disease.
• Ingestion of a rodenticide can cause a life-threatening failure to clot the blood.

READ MORE: Why is my puppy peeing so much?

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

As mentioned above, the treatment for hematuria in dogs depends on the cause and diagnosis. If your dog has a UTI, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, but in other cases such as bladder stones, surgery or a change in diet may be recommended.

In most cases, anti-inflammatory or pain medication will be prescribed to manage pain and discomfort, and depending on the cause (a UTI, bladder stones, kidney cancer), your veterinarian will offer several treatment options. For example, in the case of bladder stones, your veterinarian may recommend a special diet to reduce the stone formation and optimize urine pH.

FAQ