Hematuria is usually indicative of a serious underlying disease. Females are at greater risk for urinary tract infections which is a leading cause of blood in the urine. Familial hematuria is usually implicated in young dogs, while cancer is the usual cause in older dogs. Symptoms include a red-tinged urine, with or without abnormal frequent passage of urine. In patients with cancer, a mass may be palpated. In male dogs an enlarged and/or painful prostate gland may be felt during physical examination, and abdominal pain will be evident in some cases.
Patients with a blood-clotting disorder may have petechiae and ecchymoses. These discolored skin spots will be indicated by round, purplish, non-raised patches.
