When our dogs act out of the ordinary, we closely take time to examine symptoms and search for possible causes. These symptoms might not seem like much and could leave us thinking that a trip to the vet isn’t necessary. This is, however, not the case. In this article, we’ll discuss Hyposthenuria as well as its symptoms and possible causes!
What is Hyposthenuria
Hyposthenuria is a clinical condition that is defined by the presence of a chemical imbalance in a dog’s urine. These abnormalities may occur due to an interference with the antidiuretic hormone’s synthesis, release, or actions. In addition, damage to the renal tube as well as altered tension of the tissue within the kidney can cause these abnormalities as well.
What are the Symptoms
Hyposthenuria can cause several symptoms in your dog. These symptoms will depend on the cause of the condition.
The most common symptoms include:
- More than frequent urination
- Being excessively thirst
- The occasional urinary incontinence
- Bad breath
What Causes Hyposthenuria
Hyposthenuria can be caused by a disorder or drug that interferes with the release of the antidiuretic hormone. In addition, damage to your dog’s renal tube and excessive tension in the kidney, trauma, and abnormal hormone release can cause hyposthenuria.
List of possible causes:
- Trauma
- Tension around the kidneys
- Diabetes
- Drinking too much water
- Thyroid issues
- Hormonal imbalances
How Will the Vet Diagnose it
When your vet is working towards a diagnosis, they’ll do a full medical exam. They’ll ask you about your dog’s full medical history as well as possible incidents that could have caused this condition. Your vet will conduct a full blood profile and a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urine analysis. They will emphasise determining the urine specific gravity.
The tests will reveal the functional capability of the kidney as well as its ability to eliminate waste molecules without eliminating important components such as excess nutrients or water. The tests that have been conducted could indicate a low urine specific gravity and excessive amounts of alkaline phosphatase in the blood serum. This could suggest hypoadrenocorticism or primary liver disease. If your dog has hypoadrenocorticism, it might also suffer from high cholesterol.
If your dog suffers from a disease in the uterus or a urinary tract infection, white blood cell counts will be raised. This will be present in the urine sample as well as abnormal amounts of protein. This is called proteinuria.
The doctor will conduct an ultrasound to look at the adrenal size, kidney and liver size and uterine size. If there are abnormal findings regarding the size of these organs, it may confirm that there is an infection or a reaction to an infection.
Is it Treatable
In short, yes. The treatment, however, will depend on what the underlying disorder is. It is not necessary to restrict your dog’s water intake unless specified by your vet to battle the underlying condition. Your vet might recommend fluid therapy as part of the treatment. If there is an infection present, your vet will prescribe a course of antibiotics. It is imperative that you stick to the dosage and frequency of the antibiotics as prescribed by your vet.
How Will Hyposthenuria Effect my Dog
Follow up treatments will be recommended by your vet to monitor your dogs:
- Urine specific gravity
- Hydration status
- Kidney function
- Electrolyte balance
If your dog has hyposthenuria, it is important to ensure that they drink enough water, as dehydration is a possible complication of the disorder. This can make the disorder become a life-threatening condition.
The Takeaway
Treatments of hyposthenuria will differ depending on the underlying cause of the condition whenever your pet acts out of the ordinary or displays strange symptoms, it’s best to take them to the vet for a medical opinion to ensure that they aren’t in need of immediate medical care.
