My Weimaraner dog is 5 years old and has always been extremly clean and house trained, he has been castrated but this this last week he has taken to urinating in the home, I have taken a sample of his urine to the Vets and was told there is no infection. Please advise
Hello, Is he urinating large or small amounts? Any change in drinking/ thirst? Last time bloodwork was done? Do you remember what the specific gravity of the urine was? Did your vet's office test the urine, or did they send it out to a lab? Did your vet ASK for this sample? Is your dog difficult in the hospital to get samples from?
He is urinating large amounts and then strains to pass more,
There is no change in his drinking habits.
He has not had a blood test.
The test was done in the vets office.
The vet asked for the sample, and he is not a difficult dog, very placid.
Thanks for replying. With urinary tract infections, the reason they inappropriately urinate is usually because the bacteria in the bladder is irritating the bladder wall, making the body 'think' the bladder is full when technically it has had no time to fill up yet: thus, you tend to see frequent bouts of inappropriate releasing of the bladder in tiny amounts. It doesn't sound like a typical bladder infection. However, because the sample you gave the vet was what we call a 'free catch' from the dog (meaning you 'caught' the sample as he urinated), this definitely had bacteria in it because of its travels through the penis and out the sheath; even cleaning a dog's sheath before catching the urine doesn't make a sterile sample. Your vet would be able to tell you yes or no definite about an infection if he got a sterile sample from cystocentesis (directly from the bladder with a needle- dogs never seem to mind) or catheterizing (not as sterile, but much moreso than free catch). Then, we'd know if bacteria in the sample is from his sheath or bladder. And, sending it to the lab will have a larger portion of the urine tested from the experts, and they can hold onto a sample to run a culture just in case. Anyway, seeing as this is large amounts he's urinating and he's in some obvious discomfort, I would suggest having some basic bloodwork run. Things like the beginnings of kidney, liver and endocrine issues often start with an increased amount of urine produced. It certainly wouldn't hurt, and a sterile urine should be obtained at that time as well. Another thing to consider is a sudden bladder muscle weakness (due to masses, stones, or a sphincter problem itself). For any of these, treatments exist, but if the blood/urine results get you nowhere, an abdominal ultrasound may be the next step. It's unfortunate this isn't your straight forward issue, but having samples done properly and getting them all at once will get you to your answer, and subsequent treatment, much quicker, to give you and your dog some relief! Best of luck. Let me know if I can help further. Christine