BPH and hematuria

Benign prostatic hyperplasia and “false” hematuria

Blood can appear in the urine but not originate from the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra. A “false” hematuria can occur when male dogs have enlarged prostates. The blood appears to drip from the urethra but careful observation shows that the blood is not associated with urination. If the prostate is enlarged but no cancer or infection is involved, the condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH occurs in intact male dogs and can first appear when they are very young—as early as 1-2 years of age. The number of dogs with BPH increases so that 95% of dogs that are 9 years old have BPH.

Signs and symptoms of BPH, in addition to “false” hematuria, are straining to defecate, and thin, ribbon-like stools. Unlike humans, dogs with BPH, do not strain to urinate, but they may show discomfort when urinating, which is called dysuria. Straining to urinate is called stranguria.

Differentiating true hematuria from hematuria caused by the prostate is important because the treatment is for BPH is castration. The treatment for hematuria, on the other hand, can involve increased fluids, diet changes, lithotripsy to crush stones, antibiotics for infection, and chemotherapy for cancer. If hematuria is caused by anti-coagulant poisoning, pets need supportive care and Vitamin K to prevent further bleeding. If caused by medication, the medication is stopped.

The lining of the bladder is a mucous membrane, which means it is a layer of epithelial or skin cells that secretes mucus. We can help pets form a healthy mucous membrane in the bladder—just as we help create healthy synovial membranes that line the joints—by supplementing with glucosamine or perna.

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