Bloody Urine

[Frankys_mom]

SIGH!


Franky has a vet appt tomorrow for teeth cleaning and to have a lump removed from his mouth. 
We just discovered that he has some blood in his urine.  He went out to go potty and when he walked though the kitchen, he dribbled a little on the floor and it was reddish pink droplets. 
He is acting "normal" (well as normal as a naughty wiener-dog should act).... not showing any symptoms of pain.  He has been squatting a little funny, but he has been doing this since his surgery last November.

I know it could be as simple as an infection or stones, but I'm still kind of freaking out.... thinking cancer.  The vet noticed that his liver was enlarged at his last visit in November, but she dismissed it as an effect of all the medications he had been on the last year (super high doses of steroids, painkillers, morphine, anesthesia, etc) from IVDD.

Its going to be a long night.  Please keep Frnaky in your prayers and thanks for letting me get this off of my chest.


Dawn

[David C.]

Sometimes if there is a high amount of crystalline (minerals) in the urine, it can lead to blood passing in the urine.   My Rudy would mark up so much territory that by the time he was "out of pee" and was forcing himself to mark, his last marks would be bloody.  This was because his bladder was pretty much dry and the mineral content of his urine was much higher, irritating his urethra and causing blood.   The answer was very simple and very effective (and was suggested by a fellow WW Board individual some years ago)...add some white vinegar to their water.  This breaks up the crystals.   As soon as I did this for Rudy, the blood in is urine completely disappeared, and I didn't have to add any vinegar after that.

It's still good to get a vet to check things over.   It's always best to catch something while it is still a small problem rather than waiting for it to become a big one.   I'd really be disinclined to believe that it is cancer.   Early dachshund breeders really did their homework when they were creating and perfecting the breed and a lot of diseases were fairly successfully "bred out" of the line.

[cheryl186]

Prayers and Healing Rays are on their way to you and Frankie   
Poor little fellow has been through so much this year.....Please let us know what the outcome is tomorrow.....

[Frankys_mom]

Many thanks David and Cheryl for the kind words and suggestions.  We just got home from the vet and Franky did good.  The xrays did not show any bladder stones and the urinalysis showed a nasty bladder infection.  Although the bleeding is much worse today, at least he is now on antibiotics.  The teeth cleaning went well and they sent the lump out for pathology :xfinger:
Guess I freaked out and over-reacted a little. Sorry about that.  The internet is a great resource for information, but any symptom you look up lists cancer as a possible cause.

I tend to react strongly to anything because we dealt with Frankys pain for two years which was misdiagnosed as arthritis instead of cervical IVDD. After his surgery in November 2005, I have been diligent about poking and prodding both of my "kids" to be sure everything is OK.
The vet tech told me Franky probably wouldn't eat tonight.  She doesn't know him very well or dachshunds for that matter because the first thing he did when he got home was chow down! 
I made him some eggies and he is taking a nice nap right now.
Many thanks again,
Dawn

[Barb]

Glad his appt went good and that you got him some antibiotics......bet he loved the eggies.  Sending rays he is feeling better and sending a smooch too !

[cheryl186]

 :apls:  So glad to hear Frankie's visit went very well....and he is on antibiotics....should clear it up in no time...haha....I was just thinking about the eating part....that is sooo true....my doxies will DO ANYTHING for food...lol.