What's wrong with my dog?

[NicoleM]

He's a year or two old (we got him from a shelter so we don't know exactly). We've had him since June. He sleeps in our room. The last two nights in a row, he has whimpered in the middle of the night. He never does that. On Saturday night, DH took him out to pee and then the dog was fine. Last night, DH had to take him out at 1:30 and then I got up with him at 5.

Anybody ever had this problem? Do dogs get urinary tract or bladder infections? How would I know if he has one, anyway--I can't exactly have him pee in a cup and send it to a lab.

[Girlfriday]

1. I would make an appointment with a vet

They will want to know: Is he eating? urinating more frequently? ect.

[Richardo]

4. Yes - and as far as peeing in a cup...

...you (or DH) may be tasked by the vet to follow him around first thing in the morning to do just that.

Just one of the the privileges of dog ownership... :-)

[E_Zapata]

2. If he had to go out TWICE in the night......not good

I would take him to the vet right away. Bladder infections just get worse and worse.

And think about the kind of food that you are giving him. The cheap brands play havoc on the urinary tract (and other things).

Or, if he is pooping on these frequent visits outside, think about if you changed his food recently (like this week). Changing their food can lead to the runs......

[bamademo]

3. Dogs get urininary track infections...

This has happened to my dogs. Call the vet.

[trof]

5. Whimpered in his sleep?

Or awake?
They sometimes whimper in their sleep when they're dreaming or something. Mine even makes running motions with her feet while asleep.
If he's drinking a lot of water and urinating more, have his blood sugar tested. Diabetes is more common in cats, but dogs can get it.
Yes, they do get bladder or urinary tract infections. The vet may give him antibiotics that will clear it up, but won't hurt him if that's not the problem

[NicoleM]

6. No, he was awake

and pacing.

Thanks, everybody, I will make an appointment for him ASAP.

[E_Zapata]

7. let us know how he is doing.

and happy sleeping to all three of you from now on.

I love my pound pup. They are just the best, aren't they?

:-)

[NicoleM]

8. He is NOW.

He acted like his previous owner was Satan for a while after we first got him. :)

On edit, we only have until April for the happy sleeping. Then the baby comes and no more happy sleeping for a loooong time, I'm sure.

[trof]

9. Sleeping in your room.

You are doing absolutely the right thing to let him sleep in your bedroom. Dogs are pack animals and you 2 are his pack now. They are miserable if made to sleep away from the pack.
See if your library has "How to be Your Dog's Best Friend" by the Monks of New Skete. It is THE best and most interesting book I have ever read about dogs.

[NicoleM]

10. He made US miserable

when we tried to have him sleep anywhere else. :)

[retread]

16. Have you read "The Other End of the Leash" by

Patricia McConnell? A must read for all dog owners.

[RebelOne]

11. Yes, dogs certainly do get urinary infections.

My dog had a kidney infection and it cost me $128 for the pills to clear it up. Check if there is any blood in his urine.

[NicoleM]

12. We have an appointment with the vet this afternoon.

Will report back.

[HEyHEY]

13. get a bowl

folow him outside...and when he starts to pee sneak it underneath him

[noonwitch]

14. Yes, dogs get UTIs

My dog had a bad bladder infection when she was a puppy. It took me forever to potty train her. In her case, her bladder was small for her size (it caught up with her normal growth at about 7 or 8 months), so I had to go home for lunch every day until she was full grown, to prevent recurrence and to facilitate house breaking.

[NicoleM]

15. We're back.

The results from the urinalysis aren't back yet (they had an emergency, cat vs. car) but the vet said it sounded like a UTI. We've got some medicine for him.

Spooner and I thank you for all your help. :)

[this_side_up]

17. don't let him get

into anti-freeze. I think it kills the kidneys and then
the dog.