Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - dark urine

I'm a little in a rush here trying to get a sample of Tessy's urine but today I noticed that it was darker than normal. I haven't been able to get a sample yet but after the pee where I noticed it a little dark I wipd her where she pees and the paper towel was brownish. NOW I'M FREAKING OUT wondering what to do or expect. Any experience with this. I'm trying to get her in for an appointment today. Thanks, Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Johnny, How does Tessy act? Does she seem ok to you? If she seems subdued, fatigued, weak, disinterested in food or water etc, I would get her to the vets. You don't know what is happening so best they see her. Take her temperature and see if it is over 103. Monitor her heart and breathing rate. Note very slow or very fast, thready or irregular. Write these things down when you call for an appt. If she seems fine and wonders what the fuss is, then a visit in a day or two would probably be ok. Just call the vets to confirm that a wait is appropriate. patrice

Patrice NYS

I was just about to leave to call the vet back when I saw your response Patrice. I'm probably just being overly paranoid. I've just read over and over again to watch for dark colored urine so now when I finally see it I get all freaked out. Tessy does seem to be acting fine. Her gums are getting pinker (I think) over the last couple weeks. She's drinking lots of water and NEVER turns down food! I'm on my way to call the vet back. I'll keep you posted. Thanks, Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Hi Johnny, it could probably mean a lot of things, but only the results from the analysis or a culture will show what is really happening. I am always watching Kahlu's urine because he had one UTI after the other. Right now it is the first time in about 8 weeks, that he is not on antibiotics. It could well be Tessy has an infection and it is blood you are seeing. It is also possible, that she is dehydrated. It seems crazy that they could be dehydrated when the drink so much, but I know it is possible. That would make her urine slightly darker. Please keep us posted! Take a deep breath! Best wishes, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Hi Johnny, Never hurts to check, keep us posted. By now all of our vets know we are crazy about our dogs and paranoid about this sh*tty disease, so it should never surprise or annoy them when we need to run in to be reassured! Hopefully it's nothing, we'll be waiting to hear! melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Hi everyone. I was able to get a sample of Tessy's pee and off to the vet we went. We ran an urinalysis and the results came back as a UTI. There was a printout if anyone is interested. She now has to take 2 weeks of antibiotics for this (Bioclav2 250mg/twice daily). The results came back on a swab I had sent out for her skin conditons (green pustules). This showed a presence of an overgrowth of PROTEUS and another one present called STAPHYLOCOCCUS INTERMEDIUS. This antibiotic was picked so that it would fight both infections. She was also given Forti Flora to be taken once a day. While we were there I went ahead and had them run a CBC. Her HCT climbed from 29.1 to 29.8. Everything went up just a tad. The platelets went up to 616 from 486. Her HGB remained the same at 10.1. Her WBC only climbed a point to 17.9. All in all I guess I can say I'm slightly releived. Really happy it was noticed early on. Just one more thing for her little body to battle. Hugs from Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Johnny, Glad you saw the vet and found out it was not as dire as you originally thought. It is just one of the many things you have to deal with when fighting this disease. It doesn't seem fair but hopefully the antibiotics will put things right soon. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Is dribbling a small bit of blood normal with UTI's? I had Tessy out for a pee and her pee looked normal (no dark color to it) but after she peed she squatted again and this time a little squirt of blood came out. I don't think it was pure...it was pretty liquidy (diluted some?)...but was for sure red. Once again....this just totally freaks me out. Cause for concern? Is there anything I can give her to help this? Special diet etc. Thanks, Johnny & Tessy

Johnny

Johnny, I know how freaky it is to see blood on our sick dogs, but I can assure you this is pretty normal. The infection will clear up in a few days and Tessy will feel better. Just make sure you give the antibiotics at the same time, as prescribed and the whole 2 weeks. Kahlu had two 3 week courses and last time even 4 weeks. Make sure you give it with food, I think it makes them less nauseated. I think UTI just go with this disease. I have started giving Kahlu large doses of cranberry extract. I know some people are giving whole dried cranberries. It has not really made a difference so far, but i thought it is easy to give and if it does not help it can't hurt. I think the Forti Flora is a good thing when they are on antibiotics, it helps the good bacteria in the intestines. I put a little bit of no fat, natural yogurt in the food sometimes as well. Best wishes and hugs to Tessy, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

This thread was discussed on 16/06/2009

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