My dog finds it hard to urinate

When a dog has a urinary tract condition, there can be different symptoms:

1. It urinates at home or in unusual places
2. It urinates more often and in smaller quantities, or in tiny drops
3. It cries or whimpers when urinating
4. The urine may have a different or reddish colour, including blood droplets.

The source of urinary problems can be very diverse.

The urinary system is composed of:

1. The kidneys, which are responsible for filtering blood to flush out toxins and excess liquids, play a very important role in the body.
2. The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
3. The bladder is a hollow muscular organ that stores urine which is subsequently expelled through the urethra.

A problem in any of these parts can cause urination complications. We should also bear in mind that males and females have significant anatomical differences in the last tract as the urethra in males has a longer course and this makes obstruction of the urethra more frequent.

Types of pathologies:

In the kidneys we can have from acute or chronic kidney disease, infections, stones, to cysts or tumours. Any of these disorders can cause different urination, pain, and related symptoms.

In the ureters we can have obstructions by the passage of kidney stones or tumours which impede the passage of urine, although this is usually a unilateral problem.

In the bladder, where urine accumulates, infections, the formation of crystals and stones or the presence of tumours are more common.

Finally, it is in the urethra, the final section, where we find the minor problems, generally infections and obstructions, although other problems may occur.

Important:

When you notice changes in the way your dog urinates or in the colour of its urine, the most important thing to do is to see the vet as soon as possible, as these are often painful conditions and the earlier they are detected and treated, the better their evolution and prognosis will be.

Your vet will carry out the necessary tests in order to make a diagnosis and implement an appropriate treatment. It is very important to know that not all urinary problems are a simple cystitis and that it is always better to do the tests as soon as possible in order to help them in the best possible way.

María González Sola. Co-founder of Refugio la vida color Frambuesa and responsible for the vet consults VeggieAnimals.