Hematuria in Dogs

Hematuria (Blood in Urine) in Dogs

By: Dr. Bari Spielman

Section: Veterinary Care In-depth

Treatment In-depth

Treatment of hematuria depends on the underlying cause. Treatments for the common causes of hematuria are as follows:

  • Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial urinary tract infection. Ideally, the antibiotic should be chosen based on bacterial sensitivity testing to identify the antibiotic most effective for the particular type of bacteria causing the infection. However your veterinarian may make an educated guess about which antibiotic to use based on knowledge of the types of bacteria that commonly cause urinary tract infection and the ability of several antibiotics to be secreted into urine by the kidney tubules. Treatment generally is recommended for 2 to 3 weeks.

  • Fluid therapy may be recommended for pets that are dehydrated. It also may be recommended to increase urine output (establish a diuresis).


  • Dietary changes may be recommended if stones are present in the urinary tract or if kidney failure is present.

  • Vitamin K is the treatment of choice for hematuria secondary to warfarin (rat poison) ingestion.

  • Surgical intervention may be necessary for the removal of stones or tumors in the urinary tract or to correct congenital abnormalities. Surgery also may be necessary to determine whether bleeding is coming from the left or right kidney in rare cases of "benign renal hematuria."

  • Chemotherapy may benefit in some animals with cancer of the urinary tract. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam (Feldene®) has been helpful in the management of dogs with bladder cancer.

     
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