Dog peeing blood in the urine is a common symptom in dogs with many possible causes. It’s important to consult a veterinarian immediately if your dog has blood in their urine, as many of the causes constitute a medical emergency. If you have a dog, read on to learn more:
What Blood in Urine Looks Like in Dogs
Causes of Blood in Urine in Dogs
How Blood in Urine Is Diagnosed and Treated in Dogs
When Blood in Urine in Dogs Is a Medical Emergency
Urinary tract conditions, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, and kidney stones, are common causes of blood in the urine in dogs. However, emergencies such as toxin ingestion, heatstroke, and snake bites can also cause this symptom. Consult a veterinarian immediately if your dog has blood in their urine, even if they don’t have any other obvious symptoms.
What Does dog peeing blood Urine Look Like?
Blood in your dog’s urine can appear amber, brown, orange, pink, or red, depending on the concentration. However, the color doesn’t necessarily indicate the severity of the underlying condition. Bloody urine is a common symptom with multiple causes, ranging from relatively harmless to life-threatening. It can also be mistaken for blood from adjacent body regions, such as the vagina or anus. Bloody urine in dogs occurs when it contains:
Whole red blood cells
Blood cell breakdown products
Muscle tissue breakdown products
There isn’t always enough blood or other materials in the urine to be visible to the naked eye. Therefore, a dog’s urine may appear normal but still contain blood, muscle tissue, or blood components.
Other Symptoms
Bloody-looking urine can have many causes. These causes can present with other clinical signs, such as:
Difficulty urinating
Frequent urination, possibly in small amounts
Painful urination or meowing while urinating
Abdominal pain
Abnormal bleeding, for example, in saliva or stool
Rapid breathing
Pale gums
Coughing
Some dogs with blood in their urine don’t show any other symptoms. A dog’s urine may be noticeably discolored but otherwise appear healthy. A veterinarian can also detect blood in the urine during a urinalysis, which is not visible to the naked eye.
Causes of Blood in Urine in Dogs
“Blood isn’t the only cause of blood in urine in dogs,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian with the Vetster platform. “Hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells, and myoglobin, a component of muscle tissue, can also make urine appear bloody.” Blood in the urine is classified according to the cause of the reddish color:
Hematuria (blood in the urine)
Hemoglobinuria (hemoglobin from the breakdown of blood cells)
Myoglobinuria (myoglobin from the breakdown of muscle tissue). Each of these classifications has different possible causes.
Hematuria in dog peeing blood
Hematuria, the presence of blood in the urine, is due to bleeding in the urinary tract. This can be caused by an injury to the urinary tract or a blood clotting disorder. Urinary tract diseases that can cause blood in the urine include:
Kidney or bladder stones
Kidney disease or kidney failure
Urinary tract infection
Kidney infection
Prostate disease
Urinary tract cancer
Abdominal injuries
Various diseases and toxins can affect blood clotting.
Blood clotting disorders and toxins that can cause blood in the urine include:
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
Ingestion of rat poison
Hemoglobinuria in dogs
Hemoglobinuria refers to the presence of hemoglobin (a protein found in red blood cells) in the urine. It occurs when red blood cells are destroyed and free hemoglobin is excreted in the urine. This results from diseases and toxins that cause red blood cell breakdown. Causes of hemoglobinuria in dogs include:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose
Babesiosis (a parasitic disease)
Onion poisoning
Snake bites
Heatstroke
Heartworm infection
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (when the immune system attacks red blood cells)
The presence of hemoglobin free of damaged red blood cells indicates a different underlying disease than the presence of whole red blood cells in the urine.
Myoglobinuria in Dogs
Myoglobinuria occurs when myoglobin (a protein found in muscles) enters the bloodstream following muscle injury. The kidneys then filter it, and it is excreted in the urine, giving it a bloody appearance. Causes of myoglobinuria in dogs include:
Extreme exertion
Heatstroke
Muscle infection or injury
Malignant hyperthermia. Myoglobin is not a component of blood cells; its presence indicates a muscle disorder.
How Veterinarians Diagnose the Cause of Blood in Dogs’ Urine
There are many possible causes of blood in the urine. The appearance of the urine alone is not enough for a definitive diagnosis. Diagnostic tests are required to determine the cause of the bloody discoloration. Investigations may include:
Complete physical exam and medical history
Urinalysis and urine culture
Routine blood tests
Blood clotting profile
Imaging evaluation, such as X-rays and ultrasound
Genetic testing
Surgery or biopsy
Urinalysis helps the veterinarian determine if your dog has hematuria, hemoglobinuria, or myoglobinuria, and may reveal other problems, such as the presence of bacteria or white blood cells. Knowing the underlying condition is essential for establishing an effective treatment plan.
Treatment Options for Blood in a Dog’s Urine
Treatment options for dogs with blood in their urine vary depending on the cause. Treatment may include:
Treatment for poisoning
Antibiotics for bacterial infections
Urethral irrigation to remove urinary stones and crystals
Antivenom for snake bites
Treatment for injuries
Blood transfusions
Treatment for other conditions
The prognosis for a dog with blood in its urine depends on the severity of the underlying cause.
Is bloody urine in dogs an emergency?
Bloody urine is not always an emergency, but it can indicate a serious medical problem. The cause cannot be determined by the color of the urine alone. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian if your dog’s urine appears to contain blood, even if there are no other obvious clinical signs. See a veterinarian immediately if your dog exhibits other symptoms, such as:
Pale gums
Difficulty breathing
Bleeding from other parts of the body
Lethargy, collapse, or seizures
These symptoms indicate a serious health problem that requires immediate veterinary attention. If you’re unsure whether your pet has an emergency, an online veterinarian can help assess their condition and offer advice.
What to do if your dog has blood in their urine?
Consult a veterinarian if your dog’s urine appears to contain blood. Watch for other symptoms and consider whether your dog has been exposed to any toxins. If in doubt, seek veterinary help. Many causes of blood in the urine are serious and require immediate treatment.
Do not attempt to diagnose or treat your dog’s symptoms yourself.
A proper veterinary diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment. Do not automatically assume your dog has a urinary tract infection or simply give them leftover human antibiotics or medications. Blood in the urine can have many causes besides a bladder infection. Human medications and their dosages vary considerably and can be dangerous for your dog.
Delaying veterinary treatment can worsen your dog’s condition and complicate treatment. If you’re unsure whether your dog’s symptoms constitute an emergency or if the urination appears normal, a veterinarian can quickly provide assistance via a video consultation through the Vetster platform.
Frequently Asked Questions: What to Do If Your Dog Has Blood in Their Urine?
Is Blood in a Dog’s Urine an Emergency?
Blood in the urine can indicate an emergency, such as poisoning or heatstroke. The severity of the underlying condition cannot be determined from urine alone. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Why Does My Dog Have Blood in Their Urine?
There are many reasons why a dog’s urine may contain blood. Conditions that can cause blood in the urine include urinary tract infections, acetaminophen poisoning, heatstroke, and kidney disease. Consult a veterinarian immediately if your dog has blood in their urine.
Can Blood in a Dog’s Urine Go Away on Its Own?
No, blood in a dog’s urine does not usually go away on its own, as it is often caused by an underlying condition that requires treatment. Furthermore, many conditions that can cause blood in the urine are emergencies. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian immediately.