Why do dogs drink a lot of water and urinate a lot? What are the reasons why dogs drink a lot of water and urinate
If your dog has suddenly become thirsty recently, drinking significantly more water, and is also accompanied by an increase in urine output, you may want to pay attention, as this may be a sign of some disease.1. Diabetes
Diabetes is an endocrine disease that causes insufficient or ineffective insulin secretion in dogs, causing blood sugar to rise and the sugar to be unable to be utilized by cells. Your dog's kidneys will try to excrete excess sugar through their urine, which can lead to increased urine output, as well as thirst and polydipsia. Other symptoms of diabetes include weight loss, increased appetite, dry hair, skin infections, eye problems, etc. Diagnosis of diabetes requires blood and urine tests, and treatment mainly involves insulin injections, adjustment of diet and exercise, and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.
2. Kidney disease
Kidney disease is a common disease in older dogs, which causes the kidneys to gradually decline in function and become unable to effectively filter waste and toxins in the blood. Dogs with kidney disease will suffer from polydipsia and polyuria, because the kidneys cannot recycle water, leading to dilution of urine. At the same time, the thirst center will be stimulated, causing the dog to drink more water. Other symptoms of kidney disease include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, weight loss, bad breath, anemia, increased blood pressure, and more. The diagnosis of kidney disease requires blood and urine tests, and treatment is mainly through giving a low-protein, low-phosphorus, low-sodium diet, supplementing water, giving drugs and nutrients, and controlling complications, etc.
3. Hyperadrenocortical function
Hyperadrenocorticism, also known as Cushing's syndrome, is an endocrine disease that causes the dog's adrenal cortex to secrete too much corticosteroids, causing elevated levels of corticosteroids in the blood. Corticosteroids can affect a dog's water balance, causing polydipsia and polyuria. Other symptoms of hyperadrenocorticism include abdominal enlargement, muscle atrophy, and thinning of the skin., hair loss, skin infection, difficulty breathing, fatigue, behavioral changes, etc. The diagnosis of hyperadrenocortical hyperfunction requires blood and urine tests, as well as special provocative tests. Treatment is mainly by giving drugs to inhibit the secretion of the adrenal cortex, or by surgically removing tumors or hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex.
4. Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is a common urinary system disease that causes the dog's urethra, bladder, kidneys and other parts to be infected by bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., causing inflammation and irritation. Dogs with urinary tract infections will experience polydipsia and polyuria, because the bacteria in the urine will stimulate the thirst center, causing the dog to drink more water, and at the same time increase the excretion of urine in order to clean the urinary tract. Other symptoms of urinary tract infection include frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, blood in the urine, cloudy urine, smelly urine, abdominal pain, fever, etc. The diagnosis of urinary tract infection requires urine examination, culture and drug sensitivity testing. Treatment is mainly by giving antibiotics, antifungal, antiparasitic and other drugs, as well as replenishing water and keeping the urinary tract clean.
The above are some reasons that may cause polydipsia and polyuria in dogs. If your dog has this situation, it is recommended that you take it to the veterinarian in time for detailed examination and diagnosis to find out the specific reasons and Treatment plan to avoid delaying the condition and affecting the dog’s health and happiness.