Most dog owners immediately hit the panic button the minute they see blood in their dog's urine and stool. It is good sign if a concerned owner takes immediate steps to find out the cause of this disturbing observation. In many cases, the reason for blood in urine is minor and easily treatable. It is always wise to check these unusual signs with the veterinarian, to avoid complications later on.

If you are wondering how does blood in urine appear, then let me explain. You may observe small clumps of blood floating in dog's urine. In most cases, the urine appears to have a pinkish tint. This is because the blood mixes with the urine and changes the normal color. If you observe bright red colored blood, it means the bleeding is from the vagina or rectum of the dog. There are various causes of blood in dog's urine. Some of these possible causes are discussed below.

Causes of Hematuria in Dogs
Blood in dog's urine is called hematuria. There are various causes of blood in urine that include the following:
  • Thrombocytopenia, a condition that causes low number of platelets or thrombocytes in blood
  • Vasculitis that causes inflammation of the blood vessels due to upper urinary tract infection
  • Coagulopathy or clotting of blood
Apart from these conditions there are a number of diseases and disorders that can lead to this condition. These disorders include:

Upper Urinary Tract Disorders
  • Trauma to the kidneys and ureters
  • Kidney stones
  • Nephritis
  • Cystic kidney disease
  • Kidney and bladder infections
  • Idiopathic causes
Lower Urinary Tract Disorders
  • Inflammation in the bladder or urethra
  • Bacterial infection
  • Neoplasia
Other Diseases, Disorders and Conditions
  • Estrus (heat cycle in females)
  • Cancers or tumors in the kidney, bladder or urinary tract
  • Uroliths (bladder stones)
  • Prostate infections
  • Pyometra (uterine infection in intact female dogs)
  • Tick borne diseases like babesiosis
  • Accidental consumption of poison like rat poison
Symptoms of Hematuria in Dogs
You need to remain alert especially when you spot other symptoms along with blood in the dog's urine. The dog may show increased thirst and will drink more water than normal. The dog may also urinate frequently and may show signs of discomfort during urination. Enlarged abdomen, seizures, fever are also signs of health problems in the dog. Some dogs may have visible wounds, excessive drooling and male dogs may show swelling on the penis and testicles. If you spot any of the signs, or your dog shows lethargy or weakness, better visit the veterinarian for proper diagnosis.

Diagnosis of Hematuria in Dogs
The veterinarian will first analyze the dog's urine to check if there is any kind of infection. He may even look for signs of crystals to indicate stones in kidney or bladder. Apart from this, he may carry out ultrasound and X-ray to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for Hematuria in Dogs
The treatment depends on the findings of the tests conducted. If a urinary tract infection is found to be the cause, the veterinarian will suggest antibiotics. The dog maybe given more fluids to drink, so that the dog urinates more, and flushes the bacteria out. In case of poisoning, the dog will be need to be hospitalized and the toxins removed from his system. Tumors and cancers maybe surgically removed. If surgery is not possible, chemotherapy maybe advised. Tick bites and prostate infections will be treated accordingly. Heparin is given to dogs with blood clotting problems. Home remedies include giving the animal herbs like berberis vulgaris, cantharis, goldenrod, uva ursi, juniper berry, etc. Speak to a naturalist expert regarding the doses of these herbs for your canine friend. Apart from this, give your dog plenty of water to drink. You can even give your dog dietary supplements like vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids that help strengthen the immune system.

You need to remain alert and observe your dog's pee and poop to uncover any health issue plaguing your pet. If you observe bright red blood or pinkish tint in dog's urine, make sure you report this to your dog's veterinarian for further diagnosis. Always keep in mind, prevention is any day better than cure.