Increased Thirst and Urination
Seen an increase in your pet's thirst and/or urination habits recently? Then you'll need to read this!
Possible Causes
Here is a non-exhaustive list exploring the several possible causes of alterations to drinking and urination habits:
Endocrinal (hormonal)
- Addison's disease
- Cushing's diease
- Thyroid disease
- Parathyroid disease
- Diabetes mellitus
Altered organ function
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
Infections
- Blood infections e.g. endotoxaemia, sepsis
- Kidney infections e.g. pyelonephritis
- Prostate infections e.g. prostatic abscess, prostatitis
- Womb infections e.g. pyometra
Metabolic dysfunction
- Calcium imbalance
- Potassium imbalance
Miscellaneous causes
- Certain medications e.g. steroidal medications
- Certain cancers
- Altered production or response to anti-diuretic hormone e.g. brain tumours
Possible Investigations
A complete clinical examination by your veterinarian starting point of all altered thirst/urination investigation in pets. When taking a history, your vet may ask you questions such as whether your pet has been spayed/neutered, if there is any changes to their appetite or whether your pet is currently on any ongoing medications etc. If you have a urine sample from your pet, do bring this along to the consultation as it may help assist with the investigation. Note the time of urine collection and refrigerate all samples if there is an hour or more time lapse before bringing the sample into the clinic. Apart from the routine physical exam, your vet may also conduct a prostate or vaginal exam. After your veterinarian has fully evaluated your pet, they may recommend one or a combination of these interventions/investigations:
- Quantify the extent of drinking and urination - your vet may ask your assistance in measuring how much your pet is drinking
- Urine tests - e.g. urine dipstick/specific gravity, sediment exam, urine culture/sensitivity
- Blood tests - e.g. haematology, biochemistry (organ function check), blood sugar measurements
- Advanced diagnostics - e.g. endocrine (hormone) function tests, abdominal ultrasound
- Referral to a specialist
As each pet is unique and every patient is different, your veterinarian will tailor a specific investigation and treatment plan for your pet.
The above information is provided for educational purposes only and not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; and should not be relied on solely as veterinary advice. If you are concerned about your pet's thirst/urination habits, please do not hesitate to phone us at (06) 358 8675 to book an appointment for your pet to be checked over by one of our veterinarians.