Increased Thirst and Urination in Dogs

Most dog owners have some idea about their dog's drinking and urinating habits, and therefore notice when these habits change. Increased thirst and urination are symptoms that mean filling the water bowl more often and cleaning up accidents in the house, but may also suggest illness or disease.

  1. Causes

    • The main causes of increased thirst and urination in dogs are kidney disease, Cushing's disease, diabetes mellitus and hyperparathyroidism, according to PetEducation.com. Cushing's disease occurs when the dog's pituitary or adrenal gland overproduces glucocorticoid. Diabetes mellitus is similar to human diabetes and has two types: juvenile-onset and adult-onset. Hyperparathyroidism occurs when one or more parathyroid glands secrete an excess of parathyroid hormone, usually because of a benign tumor in one of the parathyroid glands. These diseases tend to affect senior dogs rather than younger dogs.

    Identification

    • As well as increased thirst and urination, each disease has a number of other symptoms to watch out for. Kidney disease causes weight loss, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, pale gums, diarrhea, blood in vomit or stool, bad breath, oral ulcers and behavioral changes. Other symptoms of Cushing's disease include thin coat, thin skin, a pot-bellied appearance and increased appetite. Diabetes mellitus causes weight loss, weakness, vomiting and depression. Hyperparathyroidism symptoms include listlessness, weakness, intolerance to exercise, poor appetite, shivering, loss of muscle mass, vomiting, constipation and stiff gait, according to PetPlace.com.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Older dogs are more susceptible to diseases that cause increased thirst and urination. Even healthy dogs can become ill during their twilight years. Taking the dog for regular checkups at a veterinarian's office may help catch a potential disease early. The earlier a disease is caught, the more likely it can be successfully managed or treated.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for canine kidney disease includes fluid therapy, a special diet, dialysis, or even a kidney transplant, according to VetInfo.com. Canine Cushing's disease treatment involves medication and surgery to remove any tumors on the adrenal gland. Dogs with diabetes mellitus require regular insulin injections to keep their blood sugar levels within normal range. Treatment of hyperparathyroidism involves surgical removal of the abnormal parathyroid gland, and the dog may require intravenous fluids and medication if the calcium level in the bloodstream is abnormally high.

    Warning

    • Some diseases, such as kidney failure and diabetes mellitus, can be fatal if left untreated. Taking the dog to a veterinarian at the first sign of illness often helps catch disease early when it is treatable. Ignoring the symptoms will not make them go away, and treatment may be more expensive in the long run.