Hola, familia de Dallas Voice! Hope you are all hanging in there as we start with the heat of the summer. I personally love the heat, but I am from the Caribbean, so I know that helps me a bit (hahaha). Don’t get me wrong, it gets too hot here, but we shall make it!
I wanted to talk about something this month that many pet parents eventually deal with: those not-so-fun moments when our fur babies start peeing in places they shouldn’t or when they just pee in a way that seems off. Sometimes it is a simple fix. Other times, it can be more serious. Urinary issues in dogs and cats can show up in many different ways.
You might notice your pet urinating more often than usual or barely urinating at all. They might strain to go, have blood in their urine or start having accidents inside the house or outside the litter box.
The urine might smell stronger than usual, or you may see your pet licking their private parts more than normal. Some pets even leak urine while resting. In cats, going outside the litter box is often the first sign that something is not right.
So, what could be going on? There is a wide range of things that could be wrong, and some can be medical problems; some can be behavioral problems, and a few can be a mix of both.
Intact male pets may mark their territory, while some dogs urinate when they get overly excited or nervous. Pets who are dealing with big changes at home might act out by peeing where they shouldn’t. Others may start having trouble holding it as they age. Even medications like steroids can cause more frequent urination.
There are more concerning causes to consider as well, including the common urinary tract infections — especially in female dogs and cats. Bladder stones or crystals can also form, which may cause pain, inflammation and even infections. In more severe cases, stones or gritty material can even block the urethra and not allow a pet to urinate, which is considered an emergency that needs immediate attention.
Certain health conditions can also affect urination. For example, diabetes and Cushing’s disease can cause pets to drink and urinate more than usual. Cats can suffer from a condition called idiopathic cystitis, also called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). This is basically bladder inflammation without a known cause, and it is often linked to stress.
Unfortunately, cancer can also affect the urinary tract, most commonly the bladder, but it can occur in other parts as well.
When your veterinarian investigates urinary issues, they usually start with basic tests like a urinalysis and blood work. If the results raise concerns or if a more thorough approach is needed, more advanced testing may be recommended, including specialized blood panels, radiographs or ultrasound, among other options. If an infection is suspected, a urine culture might be needed to identify the bacteria and choose the right antibiotic, especially in cases where a kiddo suffers from chronic urinary tract infections that do not respond well to antibiotics and/or where other diagnostic tests have ruled out causes of chronic urinary tract infections.
Treatment of urinary tract issues depends on the cause. Some problems can be resolved with diet changes, medication, or changes in the home environment. Other situations might require surgery.
If cancer is involved, your doctor may recommend a more involved treatment plan or at least a consultation with a veterinary oncologist. In some cases, even after testing, there may be no clear diagnosis. When this happens, your veterinarian may reach a diagnosis of exclusion. That means other common causes have been ruled out, so we move forward with the most likely explanation based on symptoms and test results.
The key takeaway is this: If you notice anything unusual about your pet’s urination, please do not wait. The sooner it is addressed by your veterinarian, the better the outcome is likely to be. If you do not have a veterinarian, feel free to contact my office in Addison to make an appointment for your kiddo.
Thank you so much for spending a few minutes with me in this month’s column. I really appreciate all of you who keep coming back to read. As always, be kind and don’t forget to help each other out. We could all use a little more compassion these days.
Abrazos para todos!
Dr. Josh owns Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital, 14380 Marsh Lane, Ste. 110, in Addison. Call him at 972-738-1111 or visit IslaVet.com.