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Question

My 8 year old Shi-Tzu is drinking a lot of water lately and is having a problem with holding his bladder. We have never had this happen before and thought it may be his food being high in salt, since I recently changed his food to Fit n' Trim dog food. We switched him back to Pedigree and it has been a few days now and he is still having the same problem. He is also getting listless. He has no problem with eating his food and otherwise is behaving normally. What could cause this?

Submitted: 17 days and 20 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Pet's Sex: Male
Pet's Age: 8

Already Tried:
Changing his dog food back to what he was eating before this started.

Accepted Answer

Hi XXXXXXXXXXXX,

the most common causes for this are a urinary tract infection or bladder stones. If he is getting listless then I would more suspect an infection, if it were stones, which this breed is prone to, then he would be acting the same for the most part, just drinking and peeing more. A simple urine test can determine either. Also if he is not neutered then there can be problems with the prostrate as well. If there is an infection then antibiotics will be needed if stones are a problem then a special diet, antibiotics or possible surgery would be needed.

 

If on any of these articles a 'pop up' news letter covers the article just hit 'close windows' at the bottom of the pop up and you can continue reading the article.

 

infection

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/acute-cystitis-in-dogs/page1.aspx

Stones http://www.petplace.com/dogs/urolithiasis-in-dogs/page1.aspx

 

There are other diseases as well that would present themselves in that manner and you can read about them here. http://www.petplace.com/dogs/polydipsia-and-polyuria-in-dogs/page1.aspx

What I would do is collect a urine sample from the first of the morning and bring it in for testing to start ruling things out.

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Expert: Sally Grott
Pos. Feedback: 99.3 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 11/5/2009

dog training consultant

24 years training & behavior,pet first aide, Therapy dog eval., PA Animal Response Team

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