Heamaturia or bloody urine occurs at times in certain diseases of dogs. The seat of the disease giving rise to this affection may be in the kidneys or bladder, and very rarely in the passage from the latter.

Hemorrhage from the kidney may be caused by the irritation of calculi in that organ, or by blows or kicks over the loins, by congestion, and it might occur in certain general,serious diseases of the system. Hemorrhage from the bladder may be caused by an inflammation of the parts called cystitis, or by the presence of calculi.

When the blood comes from the kidney it undergoes certain changes and gives to the urine a smoky appearance. It must be remembered that this appearance is not always due to hemorrhage, as certain articles taken into the stomach give rise to the same.

Blood from the bladder has a brighter appearance and is often voided in small clots. When the urethra or external passage from the bladder is the seat of trouble, blood in small drops usually follows the discharge of urine.

In haematuria there is associated more or less weakness about the loins; possibly some fever may be present.

Treatment

As bloody urine is rarely more than a symptom of disease, it will demand no especial treatment, but the cause must be sought for and the infirmity removed. If a diagnosis cannot be made and the actual seat of the disorder be determined, certain general rules of treatment ■ should be observed.

The diet first should be simplified and only milk be allowed, and of that sufficient can be taken to sustain the strength.

All medicines having a directly stimulating effect upon the kidneys should be avoided. If the manner of the animal while passing his urine is indicative of irritation or smarting, one teaspoonful of cream of tartar should be added to his milk three or four times a day, and a teaspoonful of paregoric be given occasionally. Warm applications over the loins will be grateful adjuncts.

The animal should be confined in a warm room, his bowels kept active, and the case watched until a positive diagnosis is determined.