Urinary

Increased urination is excessive passing of urine either in frequency (pollakiuria) or volume (polyuria).

Straining to urinate (stranguria) describes when horses require an abnormally high degree of effort to void the bladder of urine.

Dark urine is a common observation in cats and may be an indication of a medical concern in some cases. Fluctuations in color and character of urine throughout the day are normal and expected in healthy individuals.

Urinary incontinence in dogs is when urination occurs without control or awareness. This presents as spotting or dribbling of urine, without the pet actively choosing to do so. Conditions which interfere with structures controlling urination, such as the spinal cord, brain, and urogenital system can lead to urinary incontinence.

Bacterial lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when a bacterial infection arises in the urethra or bladder. UTIs commonly develop in association with a number of other conditions in cats such as urinary stones, constipation, megacolon, or other urinary tract diseases.

Straining to urinate (stranguria) in dogs is a serious symptom indicating some degree of disruption of urine flow. Dogs will posture to urinate, with visible pushing. Straining may be productive or unproductive, and may be consistent or intermittent.

Straining to urinate (stranguria) in cats is a serious symptom indicating some degree of disruption of urine flow. Cats may enter the litter box frequently, posturing to urinate, with visible pushing, and may cry out. 

Pollakiuria refers to frequent urination of small amounts. It is a common symptom of conditions affecting the lower urinary tract, including urinary stones, bladder inflammation, urinary obstructions, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Persistent heat is a rare symptom in cats where the hormonal regulation of the reproductive cycle is disrupted, causing the cat to be in estrus (heat) for an abnormally prolonged period. 

Cyanide toxicosis, also known as sorghum poisoning, is an uncommon condition that occurs when horses ingest toxic levels of plants that contain cyanogenic glycosides. The most common cause of cyanide toxicosis in horses is ingestion of sorghum plants. 

Urinary stones in horses are masses of minerals which accumulate in the urinary system. They are caused by an abnormal buildup of minerals normally found in the urinary system. 

Umbilicus infection (omphalophlebitis), or navel ill in foals is a condition where the stump of the umbilical cord becomes infected shortly after birth. Left untreated, the condition can quickly become life-threatening, with foals deteriorating rapidly.

Bacterial cystitis is infection and inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by bacteria entering through the urethra in dogs. Bacterial cystitis is commonly called a lower urinary tract infection, or UTI.

Amyloidosis occurs as a secondary condition to chronic inflammation in dogs. It is the result of build up of proteins in the affected organ, which negatively impacts function. In dogs, amyloidosis most commonly affects the kidneys and is usually detected when signs of kidney disease begin to develop.

Urinary tract cancer is an extremely rare condition in cats, with no known risk factors. Can develop in the bladder, kidneys, ureters (tube connecting kidneys to bladder), urethra (tube where urine is expelled from the body), and prostate gland (in males).

Cancer of the lower urinary tract is uncommon in dogs. The lower urinary tract consists of the bladder, urethra (tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body), and in males the prostate gland.

Uroliths are commonly known as “stones” and can form anywhere in the urinary tract. Uroliths are very common in dogs. Severity depends on where the stone is located and whether it is impacting the normal function of the urinary system.

Organophosphates (OPs) and carbamates (CMs) are compounds commonly found in agricultural pesticides, herbicides, as well as flea and tick collars. Toxicity occurs following ingestion or skin exposure. Organophosphate or carbamate poisoning is a life threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.

Prostatitis is a common condition that occurs most frequently in intact male dogs when the prostate gland becomes inflamed. Prostatitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection from the urinary tract.

Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a common hormonal disorder of dogs, primarily caused by low or absent levels of insulin in the bloodstream.

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary release of urine. An affected cat may dribble urine or void a large amount, while seemingly unaware. Voiding urine is clearly involuntary if it occurs while the cat is sleeping or walking and not crouched in the usual posture for elimination.

Feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTD) lead to inflammation of some or all of the feline lower urinary tract (bladder, urethra).

Pollakiuria refers to abnormally frequent urination, usually in small volumes. Characterized by frequent posturing to urinate (squatting) with small volumes of urine voided

Chronic kidney disease is the irreversible loss of kidney function over a period of a minimum of 1-3 months. This disease is permanent, progressive, and fatal but quality of life may be enhanced with treatment

Grape toxicosis is poisoning caused by the ingestion of a toxic dose of grapes, raisins, or currants.

Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is caused by elevated cortisol levels in the bloodstream due either a tumor on the adrenal or pituitary glands or from prolonged administration of corticosteroids.

Oak trees are common in North America, and their leaves and acorns are toxic to horses when ingested in large amounts.

Eating dry or wilted red maple leaves is poisonous for horses, leading to life threatening toxicosis. Storms, high winds, and autumn all result in more leaves on the ground, and it is important to not allow a horse to graze in any place where red maple leaves may fall

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a very rare condition in dogs resulting in the lack of production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or a lack of response to the hormone.

Congenital kidney disorders are present at birth, and include conditions such as kidney hypoplasia, undeveloped kidneys, polycystic kidneys, and kidney cysts.