When walking your dog not urinating as usual or only passing a few dropsyou should act quickly.
In this article, we’ll explain the possible causes and give you tips on how to help your dog when he’s unable to empty his bladder.
We will also explain what a diagnosis at the vet looks like.
In a nutshell: Why can’t my dog empty his bladder?
If your dog cannot empty its bladder, a urinary tract infection or urinary stone formation is often the cause.
But there can also be other causes, such as not enough fluids, obstruction of the bladder, kidney disease and even tumors.
In the worst case, the blister can even burst, which constitutes a medical emergency.
If your dog is having trouble urinating, you should act quickly and contact your veterinarian.
Dog cannot empty bladder – 3 causes
There are many reasons why your dog suddenly won’t void its bladder can. Here we will take a closer look at some of the reasons why:
dehydration
When a dog isn’t getting enough water, there can be a significant decrease in the frequency and amount of urination.
For example, dehydration can occur very quickly if the dog does not have access to water on hot days or loses a lot of fluids through vomiting or diarrhea.
Untreated dehydration can lead to organ failure.
urinary tract obstruction/tumors
A common cause of bladder voiding disorders is urinary tract obstruction, where an obstruction blocks the normal flow of urine.
This can be caused by urinary stones, tumors or inflammation.
Symptoms of urinary tract obstruction can include visible pain your dog experiences when trying to empty his bladder.
He may also be restless, irritable, or lethargic. In the most severe cases, bleeding can occur in the urinary tract, which constitutes an emergency.
kidney disease
Through injury, infection, tumors, and other causes, your dog may have kidney disease, which is the cause of urinary retention.
The symptoms are poor general health and listlessness.
Dog Can’t Empty Bladder – What Can I Do?
If your dog is having trouble completely emptying its bladder, this can be a serious medical issue that should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Sometimes a dog may not urinate for 12 hours.
Either way, it’s important to act quickly to get relief for your dog.
Here are some practical tips that can help your dog even further.
Frequent walks
Take your dog for walks more often than usual so he has more opportunities to empty his bladder.
Also, increase the time and slow down your pace to give your dog enough time to do its business.
Use of special training mats
There are special exercise mats that can help your dog empty their bladder.
These mats contain special scents that attract dogs and encourage them to do their business.
Adding more water to the diet
If your dog isn’t drinking enough water, it can lead to urination problems.
Dilute the wet food with a little water to increase absorption and always provide enough drinking water.
Monitor the amount of urine
Pay attention to how much urine your dog urinates.
If the drops are only a few, or if he tries to relieve himself frequently without success, this can be a serious medical problem.
In this case, you should urgently consult your veterinarian.
Keep in mind that a dog that is having trouble emptying its bladder may experience pain and discomfort.
It’s important to act quickly and help your dog to get relief and avoid possible complications.
Good to know:
A healthy dog normally urinates 20 to 40 ml of urine per kilogram of body weight every day.
Diagnosis and treatment at the veterinarian
If your dog is having trouble completely emptying its bladder, you should see a veterinarian.
He will conduct a thorough investigation to diagnose the cause of the problem.
A physical exam and urinalysis can help determine if your dog has a bladder infection, urinary tract infection, or other medical condition
cystitis
If a bladder infection or UTI is diagnosed, the vet will prescribe antibiotics for your dog to fight the infection.
urolithiasis
Urolithiasis is discovered in about 20% of veterinary examinations in dogs that are unable to void their bladder.
This is a stone formation that, due to a high concentration of minerals, prevents the dog from urinating.
Depending on how severe the problem is, the veterinarian may surgically remove these stones to keep the symptoms from getting worse.
In most cases, however, it is sufficient to change the diet with special food or to give your dog medication to help the stones dissolve.
tumors
If a tumor is found that is blocking urination, surgical treatment may be instituted.
narrowing of the urethra
If conditions such as narrowing of the urethra or a neurological condition are identified, more extensive treatment may be necessary.
kidney problems
If kidney disease is suspected to be the cause of urinary retention, your vet will do a blood test and check for the relevant values.
He will initiate therapy with medication and special foods.
Conclusion
When a dog is having trouble emptying its bladder, it can indicate various medical conditions.
This could be a urinary tract infection, narrowing of the urethra, urinary stone formation, kidney disease or urinary tract obstruction.
The cause can also be a tumor that prevents the outflow of urine.
It’s important to act quickly and not wait too long to take your dog to the vet.
He can conduct a thorough investigation and recommend appropriate treatment depending on the cause of the problem.
These range from various drug therapies, special food to operations, depending on the findings.
You can support your dog by going on longer walks, using an exercise mat, or adding water to wet food.
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