Question:
Hi everyone,
I have a two yr old shih tzu named Frodo. Recently, as in the last two days, I have noticed that he has a tiny bit of blood on the end of his penis (is it the same with dogs?( big blush here) ) after he pees.
We take him out two times a day, morning and evening for a long walk. I am 'indulgent' about letting him pee on almost every tree around, so that by the middle of the walk, he is usually lifting his leg for a phantom pee. Well, the blood is showing up after his phantom pees, not after his first initial spate. He is otherwise extremely healthy. There doesn't seem to be any tenderness in his abdomen, he doesn't strain to pee when we first go out, he is eating and drinking normally.
The only 'odd' thing was that he urinated on my bed, in the night, two nights ago. I didn't even think it was him...I thought my leg was sweating or something but I'm extremely suspicious now because I brought his own bed from downstairs last night and put it beside my bed, and he *immediately* pee'd on it!
Is this all symptomatic of bladder stones or is there something else that I can also lay my finger on?
Thank you EVER so much. I'm so glad this board is here...
Sue

Answer:
This sounds like a bladder or urinary tract infection. The fact that he is trying to pee (has the urge) but nothing comes out and there is blood makes me think this.

He needs to see the vet right away. This is quite painful, and can turn very serious if the infection invades the kidneys.

Answer:
I guess I didn't make myself clear enough...sorry. It's so hard. :-)
I tried to convey the fact that he has 'pretended to pee' since the beginning of his time. He 'pretends' only after all pee is out and he goes very nicely. He still has an urge to lift his leg even after he has peed everything out. ...and it is at this time that I see the drop of blood.
Sue

Answer:
I would take him ti the vet and get a bladder x-ray. It's unfortunately sounding like stones. :(

Good luck and keep us posted

Answer:
Hi,
Well, I went and made a vet appointment the day after I first posted here about Frodo's problem. His appointment was for today but wouldn't ya know it...the little problem disappeared over the last two days! argh! I took him anyways and they checked his temp, prostrate and abdominal area. He was completely fine. They were going to do a urinalysis to make sure there was no infection except I vetoed that because of the cost. Instead, I decided to keep an eagle eye on him for the next few days and take note of *anything* that might indicate an infection or stones...and *then* take him in for the urinalysis if needed.
It's hard when you have to watch your pennies. I feel badly for the person who couldn't bring his dog to the vet for a broken bone. It's been leading me to a search on pet insurance. Is there another venue on this board which might discuss insurance options out there?
Sue

Answer:
Go to the home page and hit the insurance logo. It is quite good it compares the rates of all three and it will give you a quote.

Answer: