Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a male, mini (12 lb.) black & tan. He's a spoiled rescue dawg, almost 8 years old and I've had him for 6 1/2 yrs. My issue is that he's been urinating in the house for the last 6 months, consistently. He only wets on the legs of furniture that have fabric or slipcovers right next to the hardwood floors. I thought I'd fix the problem by putting some area rugs in place, but he urinated in the middle of the off white rug in one of the rooms. ...Anyway...he went for his annual shots, check up, yadda ya, yesterday. I mentioned the potty thing to the vet and then we had to check for UT infection, diabetes, kidney stones.... The diagnosis came back today...UT infection, blood in the urine, crystal something...now he needs to have x-rays to see if there are stones?? So, I did a Google search today and found that all kidney stones don't show up via normal x-ray, most need a sonagram. Blood in the urine should have showed up on my off white rug. There should have been some sort of change in his eating habits. Maybe some change in bowel habits. My little dog Rocky has zero symptoms. I sorta feel like I'm getting taken for being a concerned pet owner. Has anyone ever had their dog tested for UT and blood in the urine showed up, but you never saw it in the house?? Sorry to be so bothersome, but I'm very concerned and I'm equally concerned about some ethics.

Thanks...Sue & Rocky

HI Sue,

Yes, I've had dogs with UTI's and blood in their urine, but not be able to see it. There doesn't need to be much blood. UTI's are very painful, but dogs can mask their pain very well. His wetting all over is a good symptom of an UTI. That was the only symtom my dogs give when they have one. The vet should have given you an antibiotic for the UTI and I'd wait to see if that clears it up before having XRays for anything else. That is what I'd do.

Let us know how things go!
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Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
Shadow, Jadzia and Lyta.
Kira waiting the bridge.

Dogs come into our lives, and too quickly go leaving pawprints on our hearts, and we will never be quite the same again.

Thanks! That's what I needed to know. I don't see blood in his urine. I've read so much about UTI's and he doesn't have any symptoms. The vet called me yesterday about the test results and I didn't even think to ask about an antibiotic. I'm surprised he didn't tell me come pick something up. He said something about "crystals" showing up in the initial test and that's why he needs an xray, to see how large. I've read conflicting opinions about which sorts of stones can be picked up on an xray. We'll see Monday. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again...

Sorry to hear you lack confidence or trust in your vet. Maybe it is time to change your vet if you feel they possess the potential to be unethical.