First, I'm taking my dog to the vet later this week (my birthday, only day off!) to pay off the rest of her last bill and see if I can set up an exam for this since it worries me.

She's a spayed ~2 or so year old husky/aussie who is on Solid Gold Hound-N-Flocken adult food and has been without complications for over a year. I did a search and didn't find many results and wondered if anyone else experienced this.

Lately, let's say maybe once every two days, when I take the dog out to do her business she takes a LONG time to urinate. She doesn't appear to be straining or struggling, and she does pee a normal amount at the beginning, but she doesn't stand up right away. In fact, she'll squat for about 2 minutes or "squatter around" looking as if she's peeing without any liquid coming out before she gets up and moves on. She doesn't dribble or have a few drops come out during this time.
This happens at any time during the day, with no noticeable difference if she hasn't gone out all day or if she's just gone out half hour before, nor any noticeable difference if she's drank/ate a lot or not.

I'm concerned about a UTI or bladder infection, or some other unmentionable monstrous disease. :P Has anyone else had their dog do this? Is there any information I should look up prior to seeing the vet just to give me an idea of what it could be?

Thanks.

Edited by Jinn Schmitz (07/16/2007 04:31 PM)
Edit reason: title change.

I would get her checked for a UTI - which can cause the dog to have an "urge" even though she has emptied her bladder.

I would try to collect a first morning sample the day of your appointment and take it with you. Not always an easy thing to do with a female, so you might want to practice a few times first! My female ACD has had some stubborn UTIs and it's been hell trying to get samples from her. (This is a two person job at this household and even then, we often miss or get very little of that first sample of the day. She's totally hip to what we're trying to do!)

Does her urine have color or is it just clear?

It may be more of a hip, joint or spine issue than bladder. Perhaps once she's in a squat position she locks up and doesn't want to stand up?

My female tends to squat, start peeing, then start moving around mid-stream ... almost like it burns and she's trying to get away from it. Her urine is also very dilute and lacks color, and she drinks a good amount of water.

Good luck! If you need some ideas for a collection contraption shoot me a PM ... we've had to make a few!

Cher

 Quote: lynn cheffins

I would get her checked for a UTI - which can cause the dog to have an "urge" even though she has emptied her bladder.

I agree. I would get a clean catch, first of the morning.

If you get a disposable pie pan and wait for the stream to start, then slide the pan under to catch the rest (the beginning of the stream washes away bacteria around the urethra that could screw up the culture) and transfer it to a bottle or jar, that might work most easily. The pie pan is bendy for pouring.

The vet might decide to check for hormone levels, too, and might consider bladder urge medication or maybe HRT (if there is no UTI)..... but I think it's most likely that it's what Lynn says (a UTI).

It's not likely to be a "monstrous disease," IMO, and probably will not turn into one, either, as long as you get that sample in to the vet. (You don't want a UTI to get to the kidney.)

 Quote: Cheryl Zovich

Good luck! If you need some ideas for a collection contraption shoot me a PM ... we've had to make a few!

Cher

Yeah. It can get pretty entertaining for the neighbors.

Oh, yes, and keep encouraging water! The more she flushes out, the better. You can be doing this while you wait for the vet appointment.

Also, a call to the vet will probably result in a suggestion to get the clean catch and drop it off, appointment or no, so they can do the uninalysis immediately.

Those chukkit ball launcher/hurler thingies make great urine catchers. Secure a dixie cup to it, slip it under the dog, and voila...you've got urine without looking like the neighborhood idiot!

 Quote: Sarah_Morris

Those chukkit ball launcher/hurler thingies make great urine catchers. Secure a dixie cup to it, slip it under the dog, and voila...you've got urine without looking like the neighborhood idiot!

Ingenious!!! I have no place in this discussion, but that's using your head

Cheers,
~Natalya

Thanks for the suggestions, guys! I don't have one of those ball-throwers, but I bet I can fold a pie-pan into a cone at the bottom and keep a baggie or cup there. Used to do oragami, gotta love the magic in folding. :P
I just hope it's nothing big that, as I hate to say, doesn't cost me a fortune. Dog always comes first, but hey, doesn't mean I can't dream of cheaper veterinary services!
My neighbors will probably get a big kick out of it, I'm sure.

(on a side note, my boss brought a new kitten in today and lo - it has parasites! we aren't sure what yet, he's vetting it today, but it WILL NOT stop trying to climb on me and sit on my shoulders.. exactly what I DON'T want, cat fleas or mites.. ugh..)

 Quote: Sarah_Morris

....you've got urine without looking like the neighborhood idiot!

Well, that ship has pretty much sailed once you start running after a dog with a pee-catching container......

But I love that idea! I'll have to get the ball-chucker just for that!