Dog Dripping Blood - Why, What It Means & What to Do?

Dog dripping blood is a nightmare for any dog owner. They should be alarmed and concerned. A urinary tract infection or, in male dogs, a benign prostate condition can cause blood in the urine.

Blood in dog's urine is usually caused by inflammation or infection in the urinary tract, involving both the upper and lower urinary tract. To rule out any major medical conditions, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

What is Hematuria in Dog’s?

Hematuria is the clinical term for blood in dog's urine. Visual inspection or diagnostic testing can detect the presence of these red blood cells in your dog's urine. The discolouration can be nearly normal, amber, orange, red, or brown. Blood in puppy urine isn't always visible, and finding red blood cells requires a diagnostic test. Even if your dog's urine appears normal, it may contain blood. 

Inflammation or infection of the urinary system, including the upper and lower urinary tracts, are some common causes of dog dripping blood. Other diseases might cause coloured pee, so the first thing you should do if your dog's urine turns a strange hue is to consult your veterinarian.

Causes of Blood In Dog’s Urine

Blood in your dog's pee is not uncommon, even if it is worrying. It's most certainly blood if you see pink or crimson staining in their pee. Don't be alarmed; a trip to the veterinarian should solve the problem.

1. Upper Urinary Tracts

Urinary tract problems can sometimes cause hematuria. Blood in the urine can sometimes be traced back to the kidneys in the upper urinary system.

The following are some of the causes of bleeding in the upper urinary system in dogs:

• Kidney Infection: One or both of your dog's kidneys may be infected if they are urinating blood.
• Idiopathic Renal Hematuria: The word "idiopathic" refers to an unexplained source of blood in canine pee that originates in the kidneys. Medication, a kidney infection, or immune system disorders could contribute to this. 
• Kidney Stones: Kidney stones, while uncommon, can affect one or both kidneys, resulting in blood in the urine.
• Kidney Cancer: Kidney cancer in dogs is uncommon, but it does occur, and it can be the cause of blood in your dog's pee. This is a form of cancer that starts in the kidneys and spreads to other body places.
• Renal Telangiectasia: The phrase "telangiectasia" describes a disorder in which many tiny blood veins in the kidneys become dilated. Some breeds, such as Welsh corgis, are genetically predisposed to this problem, resulting in blood in the urine.

2. Lower Urinary Tracts

The bladder and the urethra (the tube that joins the bladder) make up the lower urinary tract, permitting urine to escape the body.

The following are some of the causes of blood in the lower UTI in dogs:

• Bladder Stones: Bladder stones are crystals that grow in the bladder and can cause inflammation, bleeding, and urethral obstructions, among other things. Diet, genetics, and chronic illnesses can all contribute to the formation of these "stones."
• Bladder Infection: The most prevalent cause of blood in dog pee is a lower urinary tract infection (UTI). It can be caused by various factors, including skin allergies, urethral architecture, and hormone-related incontinence in females who have been spayed.
• Bladder Cancer: Bladder cancer in dogs has symptoms similar to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and might result in home accidents, blood in the urine, or trouble urinating.
• Prostate Problem: Prostate disorders are more common in intact male dogs, and prostate enlargement or infections can cause blood in the urine.

3. Other Causes

Aside from the scenarios listed above, there are a few other possibilities for why a dog's pee contains blood:

• Illness caused by an infectious agent (such as bacterial, viral, or disease)
• Causes that are idiopathic (unknown)
• Hematuria is a side effect of chemotherapy.
• Coagulopathy. (a condition in which the blood's capacity to clot is compromised, resulting in prolonged or heavy bleeding)
• The blood has a low number of platelets or thrombocytes. Thrombocytopenia is a disorder that affects the blood platelets.
• Vasculitis is an inflammatory disease.
• Polycystic kidney disease is a type of kidney disease in which the cysts in the kidneys (Cats are more prone to this)
• Disorders of blood coagulation. (common after consuming chemicals like rat poison)
• Thrombocytopenia is a disorder that affects the blood platelets (an abnormally low number of platelets in the blood)
• Trauma to the gastrointestinal tract or urinary tract.
• Urinary tract tumours are cancers that affect the urinary tract.

Clinical Signs of Hematuria

A parent may be traumatised by blood in their puppy's urine. Urine can range in appearance from clear to pink or reddish, and it can also contain visible blood and blood clots. Even if you have hematuria, your urine may seem normal at times. As a result, we compiled a list of clinical conditions that indicate hematuria. Please keep an eye on your dog and contact your veterinarian if you see any of these symptoms -

• Drinking more water and urinating more frequently.
• Urinating with difficulty.
• Urinary accidents in the house.
• Urinary incontinence. (An unexpected medical emergency!)
• Skin bruising.
• Bleeding from the nose or gums is a common occurrence.
• Bleeding from the eyes.
• Vomit or faeces that are bloody.

Is Hematuria a Sign of Cancer?

We become a little nervous whenever cancer is included in a list of possible causes. Dogs dripping blood could be due to cancer. Cancer of the kidneys and urinary tract is very uncommon in dogs. A kind of cancer known as transitional cell carcinoma is the most frequent type of urinary tract cancer (TCC).

So, how can you tell if the blood in your dog's urine is a sign of cancer or something else?

Other signs of cancer of the kidneys and urinary system, including the bladder, ureters, and urethra, include blood in the urine. Kidney cancer symptoms include weight loss, loss of appetite, sadness, and fever. On the other hand, intractable secondary bacterial urinary tract infections, difficulty urinating, painful urination, frequent urination that only creates small amounts of urine, and intractable secondary bacterial urinary tract infections could be signs of cancer of the urinary tract, such as TCC. Bringing your dog to your veterinarian for further testing is the best approach to find out if the blood in his urine is an indication of cancer or another disease.

What to Do When You See Blood in Your Puppy’s Urine?

If your dog is dripping blood, call your veterinarian right once to schedule an appointment, or go to an emergency veterinarian if your regular veterinarian is closed.

Your dog's ailment will be diagnosed by your veterinarian, who may do a urinalysis, a urine culture, an X-ray, or an ultrasound of your dog's bladder and kidneys. It's critical to schedule an appointment or send your dog to an emergency animal hospital within 24 hours of seeing symptoms so that his disease can be properly identified and treated.

When you see the veterinarian, it's critical to provide a detailed history of your dog's health, including a list of signs and symptoms. This information may provide hints to your veterinarian.

Treatment depends on the origin of the blood, and your veterinarian may give antibiotics if the problem is a urinary tract infection (UTI). Still, surgery may be needed if the reason is other complications, such as bladder cancer or stones.

Hematuria can be caused by a metabolic disorder, such as the adrenal glands producing too much steroid hormone or diabetes. Intact dogs with a history of hematuria may have an enlarged prostate, in which the veterinarian may recommend case neutering.

Most veterinarians prescribe anti-inflammatory or pain medication to relieve your dog's discomfort, and if your dog has urine crystals or bladder stones, they may also recommend a diet adjustment. Certain prescription diets help prevent stone formation and optimise urine pH, an important aspect of addressing urinary tract disorders in dogs.

How to Prevent Blood in Dog’s Urine?

Blood in dog's urine is not a sight we want in our lives. Though there are treatments available. But prevention is better than cure.

• Taking your dog to the doctor regularly is the greatest way to keep your best friend healthy and happy, as well as avoid urinary issues. 
• Your veterinarian can tell you if your dog is prone to urinary problems and if so, can test his pee on a regular basis to ensure that he is in excellent health.
• Monitoring your dog's urinary patterns at home, such as examining urination behaviours and habits, is also a good idea. 
• Contact your veterinarian if you observe your dog peeing more regularly, having difficulties urinating, or "spotting" frequently.

These actions could indicate one or more of the medical issues described above.

When You Need to See an Emergency Vet for Blood in Your Puppy’s Urine?

Monitoring your dog's peeing patterns is crucial for keeping him healthy and happy as a dog owner. In addition, it's critical to get your dog to a vet or an emergency clinic as soon as possible if you find your dog is dripping blood.

Some causes of this disease are more serious than others, which is why you should visit a veterinarian as soon as possible so that they can figure out why this is occurring to your pet and devise a treatment plan to help them. If your regular veterinarian is closed or unavailable, take your pet to a local emergency veterinarian to avoid having to wait for an examination.