Dr. Brown

Dr.Tail Vet

Noticing blood in the urine of your 10-month-old American Pit Bull Terrier can indeed be alarming. This symptom could indicate several potential issues, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder stones, or more serious conditions like kidney problems or tumors. Given her young age, a UTI or bladder stones are more likely, but it is crucial to obtain a proper diagnosis from your veterinarian.

While you await your veterinary appointment, there are a few home care steps you can take to help manage her symptoms:

Firstly, ensure she stays well-hydrated. Encourage her to drink plenty of water to help flush out her urinary system. Adding a bit of low-sodium chicken broth to her water can make it more appealing.

In terms of diet, feeding her a bland diet of boiled white rice and boiled boneless, skinless chicken breast can be gentle on her system. It's important to avoid giving her any over-the-counter medications or supplements without consulting your veterinarian first.

Cranberries can also be beneficial as they help lower the pH of her urine, which might assist in treating and preventing UTIs. You can use cranberry capsules or powder, but only if her urine is too alkaline. Testing her urine pH at home with a kit can help you determine this.

Additionally, adding half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to her food daily can help reduce the pH of her urine. You can mix it with chicken or beef broth to mask the taste, but ensure the broth contains no onions, as they are toxic to dogs.

Supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine, which are commonly used for joint pain, can also help reduce UTI symptoms by assisting in the replacement and preservation of compounds in the bladder wall lining.

However, these measures are only temporary. Blood in the urine is a serious symptom that requires immediate veterinary attention to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment. Please make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible to get her the care she needs.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. Thank you.