Strange Peeing Incident

[jennifert]

Last night, my roommate and I were both home sitting on the couch watching television. Jack, her golden, had been outside about 2X in the prior hour. All of a sudden he walked into the dining room and squatted on the floor and started peeing! She was in the bathroom so I ran over to him and said "No, Jack, outside" and started leading him to the door. We got about 1 foot but he was pulling against me and he never stopped peeing! So finally, I just let him finish. He peed, no kidding, for about 2 minutes straight with no stopping or dwindling. It was coming out like he hadn't peed in days!!! And he ahd just been out not 30 minutes before and I saw him squatting outside. Granted I didnt' see any pee come out since it was dark out but I did see him go through the motions at least twice! After he peed I let him out and cleaned it all up with the roommate. When he came back in, he went right over and drank TONS of water which is really unlike him. He usually is just a casual sipper. The remainder of the evening, he drank the entire bowl of water and it was one of those big mixing bowls!
What could be wrong? Jack is 4 years old and whenever he has to go out, he goes to the door and barks. He didn't do that last night before he peed but he had done it earlier in the night.
Could he have some type of bladder infection or kidney stones or something? I know we're not vets here but just wondered if anyone had any ideas or any experience with this?

[Logan]

Could be something as simple as a bladder infection, Jennifer, or it could be more serious (diabetes?). I'm just guessing, but I'd say get that boy to the vet! Your vet probably just loves to see you guys coming. I told mine one day, at the suggestion of one of the members here, that he should name a wing of his hospital after me!!

Hope Jack will be ok, and soon!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I agree a vet visit is in order. Hopefully, it will be something minor but it's better to be safe than sorry. Paws and tails and fingers all crossed. Please keep us posted.

[jennifert]

Thanks for the help ladies! I have noticed that Jack has put on a lot of weight lately despite getting more exercise than he used to before Duncan came along. When people see him now, they say he looks chunky whereas before he just looked normal or "stocky". It's hard to tell sometimes when you see them everyday, you know... And Duncan is so tall and lean that I thought maybe it was just the contrast.
I will definitely pass this info along to my roommate. She was going to call the vet today but if I know her, she will wait a few days and I certainly don't want Jack to be suffering. Bladder infections are so uncomfortable and it would be best to rule out that first!
I'll also take a look at some of the vet websites for some more info.
You're right Logan, my vet and I are on a first name basis. She jsut recently had a baby and I went to the shower! She's great but I think I bought her first car for her!!!
This is what VetInfo had to say:

When an older dog who has been well trained in the past begins to urinate in the house it is always a good idea to have a physical exam done to make sure that there is not a physical cause for the problem. When the change in urinary habits is accompanied by an increase in drinking and urinating, a lab work up should be done. Diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, kidney failure, hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism and several other conditions can lead to an increase in drinking and urinating -- and sometimes this is sufficient to make a previously well housebroken dog urinate in the house. Bladder infections (cystitis) and bladder stones can lead to an increase in the urge to urinate to the point that accidents occur in the house, as well. This is a fairly common cause of dogs that seem to be urinating "spitefully" --- often dogs with these problems will feel the urge to urinate so strongly that they will urinate even with the their owner present in the room.

Definitely pushing for a vet visist ASAP even if I have to take him and pay....

[mruffruff]

The lakes of pee were my first clue that Bear had diabetes. I couldn't tell how much he drank since all 4 drink out of the same dish. He never wet his bed before either. He was so ashamed of himself!

He's fine now. 2 shots a day and a special food got his glucose back where it belongs. Unfortunately, he went blind in the process because I let his cataracts go for so long.

I'd get Jack to a vet right away. It's better to know than guess or wait too long. Untreated illnesses rarely get better on their own

Mary

[senoritaamy2001]

So Sorry to hear about Jack. I send prayers and good thoughts out to you! Keep us updated!!!

[anna_66]

Hope everything checks out at the vets and it's nothing too serious. Fingers and paws crossed here!

[jennifert]

I was on the roommate's back last night about the vet, gotta keep hounding her or she'll never take him.....She STILL hasn't made an appointment but I'll keep bugging her. I'm more worried than she is I think...I feel so bad if poor Jackson is in pain. He doesn't seem to be but it's hard to tell...
Anyway, I'll update when she knows more....

[jennifert]

Well Jack apparently peed on her bedroom floor this morning at about 5:30 am. She had finally made an appt at the vet's for 4:30 this afternoon. Phew! I was beginning to think I would have to kidnap him and take him myself.
mruffruff, are there any other symptoms or warning signs of diabetes besides the excessive drinking and urinating that you could tell me about?
Jack doesn't appear to have any other problems or to be acting strange at all. He did lie down a few times unexpectedly on our morning walk yesterday but he had been swimming the day before and I just figured he was tired from that.

Thanks for the help and the good wishes. I will let you know how the vet visit goes.

[Dixieland Dancer]

I will keep Jack in my thoughts for a positive vet visit. Keep us posted.

[jennifert]

OK, Jack went to the vet yesterday afternoon. Apparently, he has a kidney infection. They vet took blood and a urine sample and put him on 600mg amoxicillin!!! That's a lot isn't it!!? He has to take 4 pills a day for 14 days!
That was all the info the roomie gave me...I have my suspicions on WHY he has a kidney infection but I dont' know for sure....
She isn't always very diligent about taking him out to pee. I take Duncan and Jack to the park every morning and 3 afternoons a week but that's about all he gets out. I work 2 jobs 4 days a week but I go home in between jobs to take Duncan out and feed him. I usually take Jack out too but not always. Now before you think I'm a meanie, listen to the situation....At our house, we really don't have a yard to speak of so the dogs have to be walked to do their business. Duncan is an extremely picky pooper and he won't go at all if Jack is around. So I have to take him for a walk to the park to do his business and then feed him and get ready for work. If I KNOW Kate will not be home until late, I will quickly take Jack out to pee. If I assume she is coming home at her regular time which is around 5pm, I wont' take him out. I feed him but usually won't eat if she's not home. And if he doesn't eat by the time I leave for work, I have to put it away or Duncan will eat it... (I've discovered though that if I put cottage cheese on top of his food, he can't resist!!) Now, she goes out partying after work often and doesn't come home until late....I think she forgets to take him out sometimes....Poor Jack.... Maybe now she'll shape up and start being more responsible
And maybe I will get to work 10 minutes later each day and take him out every day just to be sure....I dont' want him to suffer. It's just been hard enough to keep Duncan and myself on an even keel......

[manda99]

I know what it's like to have a roommate who doesn't always paying enough attention to their dog... It's frustrating and kinda sad. And it makes me a little angry, to tell you the truth.

But anyway - Good luck.

[Dixieland Dancer]

It sounds like Jack is lucky to have you in his life. If you weren't there then he would probably never get to go out for a walk. I pray his kidney infection clears up.