Monitoring your dog鈥檚 urination is one of the most important things you can do. In fact, it can be the difference between life and death. If your dog is suddenly repeatedly pawing to go out, peeing in the house, straining to pee, or dribbling urine, these may be signs of urinary retention.
Signs of urinary retention include frequent attempts to urinate, often with straining or signs of pain, and possibly a distended abdomen. An overly full bladder can sometimes dribble urine as well.
Complete inability to urinate is a medical emergency that can result in death unless immediate treatment is initiated. More often, dogs have partial urinary retention. Depending on how much urine is passed this may or may not be an emergency.
Causes of Urinary Retention in Dogs
Difficulty urinating can be caused by obstructions or by functional problems. 鈥淭he most common cause of urinary retention in dogs is a mechanical obstruction preventing [the] flow of urine out of the body,鈥� explains 蜜桃视频 Chief Veterinarian Jerry Klein, D.V.M. 鈥淐alculi (urinary stones) or a polyp/mass are the most common sources of urinary obstructions in dogs. Due to their anatomy of narrow urethral diameter, males are usually more commonly seen with obstructions due to stones, but females are also possible.鈥�
Dogs with obstructions try to urinate frequently, straining but not producing much. Urinating may be painful, and the urine may have blood in it. Obstructions can be caused by stones (especially in certain breeds), tumors, trauma, inflammation, or prostate enlargement.
Functional problems include malfunction of the , or of various nerves and even brain centers involved in urination. Head or can affect the ability to urinate.
A condition called is caused by the failure of the internal urethral sphincter to relax sufficiently during urination. It鈥檚 most common in middle-aged, large-breed male dogs.
Electrolyte imbalances or hormone excesses (such as those associated with Cushing鈥檚 disease) can also lead to the inability to void the bladder completely.
Consequences of Urinary Retention in Dogs
When a dog can鈥檛 urinate, the urine backs up, filling the bladder and blocking the kidneys. Toxins that are normally filtered by the kidneys bypass them and build up in the blood. The technical term for the buildup of wastes is azotemia, which a blood test can detect by measuring kidney values.
When azotemia continues, the toxins result in a clinical condition called uremia. Uremia can be extremely serious. 鈥淪igns of uremia due to urinary retention in dogs are lethargy, anorexia, nausea/vomiting and palpation of a large and painful abdomen due to a full bladder,鈥� says Dr. Klein. 鈥淏lood values seen in uremia are abnormally high kidney values and electrolyte imbalances (notably elevated potassium). Changes in the electrocardiogram can also be noted.鈥� Total retention will cause uremia and is an emergency.
Partial retention is also serious but seldom as urgent. 鈥淎 chronic urinary infection could lead to eventual dysfunction of the lower urinary tract,鈥� cautions Dr. Klein. 鈥淭his, in turn, could lead to [the] development of kidney or bladder stones, inflammation of the prostate gland in males, infertility, septicemia, and potentially kidney infection and kidney failure.鈥�
The constant pressure can make a dog try repeatedly to urinate, even indoors. It鈥檚 unfair to punish the dog or try to make them hold it as usual. Instead, use inside or give access to a doggy door.
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Diagnosing Urinary Retention in Dogs
Proper long-term treatment requires discovering the cause. Diagnosis starts with a physical examination to see how distended the bladder is, whether urine can be manually expressed, whether the abdomen is painful, whether the prostate is enlarged, or if any injuries or paralysis are present. If needed, a urinary catheter may be passed to check for obstructions in the lower urinary tract. A radiograph or ultrasound is often then performed to better assess the situation.
A urinalysis can reveal blood, urinary crystals, or other abnormalities. Blood work can show abnormal levels of electrolytes, nitrogen, or other toxic wastes. Ultrasound or radiographs can reveal urinary stones, tumors, or anatomical abnormalities. A neurological exam may reveal neural problems.
Advanced diagnostics, like myelography, epidurography, computed tomography, or tracing the progress of urine by way of a radiocontrast agent may also be used.
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Treating Urinary Retention in Dogs
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The first step is often to relieve the dog鈥檚 discomfort by manually expressing the bladder or passing a catheter (which can also flush out stones blocking the urethra).
If bloodwork indicates azotemia, intravenous fluids and diuretics can help flush out toxins in the blood. Your veterinarian may prescribe other drugs to control vomiting and regulate the heart, which can be affected by azotemia. They will also give fluids and medications to correct any electrolyte imbalance.
鈥淚ntravenous fluids and correction of electrolyte imbalances along with addressing the cause of retention is the mainstay of treatment of uremia,鈥� explains Dr. Klein.
Further treatment will depend on the cause. Surgery may remove obstructions and stones. Castration can reduce prostate size. Ultrasound may break up stones without surgery.
Antibiotics will treat urinary tract infections. may relax the internal urethral sphincter in cases of VURD or increase the contraction of the detrusor muscle, which is involved in urination. Other drugs may decrease inflammation and pain.
If a dog鈥檚 bladder has become overstretched, they may need frequent catheterization for some time.
Long-Term Management of Urinary Retention in Dogs
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If the cause is urinary stones, owners should keep feed their dogs a special diet that discourages stone formation. They should be encouraged to drink (offer ice water), to urinate frequently, and be monitored for signs of urinary tract infection or urinary retention.
鈥淚n treating or preventing urinary stones, the type of material that composes the stone matters,鈥� says Dr. Klein. 鈥淭he most common stones (calculi) are calcium oxalate, struvite (magnesium ammonia phosphate), purine (urate and xanthine), and cystine.鈥� Continued diuretics may encourage the dog to drink and urinate more, flushing the urinary tract.
In some cases, dogs never regain the ability to urinate voluntarily, and need (you can learn to do this) or even an indwelling catheter. A dog should void its urine at least three times a day.
Sometimes dogs will have one bout of urinary retention, and be permanently cured after treatment. More often, owners must monitor their dogs for their entire lifetime. And sometimes, sadly, urinary retention is a sign of a more serious or incurable disease.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.