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| Dogs are considered senior when they are as follows: Small and Medium-sized breeds: Over 7 years Large and Giant-sized breeds: Over 5 years. |
AN OLD FEMALE LABRADOR RETRIEVER PEES BLOOD IN THE URINE MANY TIMES
Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine.
DIAGNOSIS
History and physical examination.
Signs of dysuria (difficulty in urination) and/or pollakiuria (abnormally frequent urination) point to a lower urinary tract location
Use laboratory aids to diagnosis. Blood and urine tests. X-rays and ultrasound, IVP, CT scan and MRI.
Voided urine is usually sent for testing. Ideally, urine is collected by cystocentesis (from the bladder directly).
- Urinalysis is the examination of urine for various cells and chemicals. Red blood cells are found in haematuri. White blood cells a urinary tract infection. Casts, which are groups of cells molded together in the shape of the kidneys' tiny filtering tubes signal kidney disease. Excessive protein in the urine also signals kidney disease.
- Blood tests may reveal kidney disease if the blood contains high levels of urea and creatinine.
- Kidney imaging studies include ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scan, or intravenous pyelogram (IVP). An IVP is an x ray of the urinary tract. Imaging studies may reveal a tumor, a kidney or bladder stone, an enlarged prostate (in the male dog, or other blockage to the normal flow of urine.
- A cystoscope can be used to take pictures of the inside of the bladder. It has a tiny camera at the end of a thin tube, which is inserted through the urethra. A cystoscope may provide a better view of a tumor or bladder stone than can be seen in an IVP.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
1. Infections
Upper Urinary Tract Infections .
Lower Urinary Tract Infections
Uterine/vaginal disease e.g. pyometra in unspayed female dogs.
2. Urolithiasis. Urinary stones in the kidneys, ureter, urethra and bladder. Bladder stones is most common.
3. Neoplasia - Tumours or cancer of the kidneys, bladder or uterus
4. Others
4.1 Trauma e.g. hit by a vehicle or fall into the drain.
4.2 Coagulopathy. The blood has clotting problems/.
4.3 Hereditary in some breeds.
4.4 Drugs
4.5 Oestrus in old dogs
4.6 Idiopathic renal haematuria - cause is unknown.
4.7 Renal disease such as Renal telangiectasia.
Some dogs, including Welsh corgis, have a genetic predisposition to this spontaneous widening of blood vessels in the kidney, which can lead to blood in their urine.
TREATMENT depends on the cause. Infections. Antibiotics.
PREVENTION
1. As large breeds usually pee outdoors, the owner must be vigilant to monitor by checking whether her urine has blood. Early detection and treatment enables your dog to live to a ripe old age.
2. Yearly urine and blood test for your senior dog.
3 Prevention of urinary stone formation by feeding certain food to optimise the urine pH. or example, struvite bladder stones develop when the urine is alkaline. A therapeutic diet from Hills or Royal Canin acidifies the urine to prevent such stones being developed.
Taking your dog for regular veterinary checkups is the best way to prevent blood in their urine and other urinary problems. Your vet can tell you if your dog is predisposed to urinary issues. If they are, the vet can routinely test your dog's urine to make sure they're in tip-top health.
