Excessive Thirst, Frequent Urination and Leaking in a Husky
by SLM
(Michigan)
They are crated during weekdays - about 8-9 hours. Cheyenne has water in her crate however, over the years she has not been very thirsty and often doesn't touch her water when in the crate.
I have raised over 10 Huskies over the past 15 years and they have all been self feed until Cheyenne. Over time she has basically lived at the food bowl. She was gaining weight so we decided to feed her twice a day (2 cups per meal). She doesn't like this one bit but she has lost 12 pounds.
I lost my job a few weeks ago and her routine has changed. She is not crated when I am home which is most of the time now. We have noticed the following issues:
1. Urinary leakage (awake or asleep)
2. Frequent urination (much more than normal)
3. Insatiable thirst
4. Always hungry (this is normal for her)
Prior to this we did notice a small amount of urine at times over the last 6 months however, it was sporadic and we were not overly concerned.
We took her to the vet. the vet determined that Cheyenne did not have a UTI. She doesn't. Her urine sample was diluted so the vet wanted us to do a 12 hour no water test. We just did this and her urine is more concentrated but not quite where the vet would like to see it. So the vet advised us to do a 24 hour no water test
Is there anything we can do to help her during the time frame of possible tests the vet wants to complete? Her thirst continues to be insatiable. I sometimes put the water up on the counter so she will stop drinking. She found that the toilet was a great water source so we are closing the bathroom doors.
We would appreciate any thoughts you may have.
It sounds like you’re doing everything right by working through this with your vet. Constant thirst, frequent urination and leaking together suggest her body is producing very dilute urine, and the leaking may simply be her bladder struggling with the volume.
Common causes in a dog her age include diabetes, Cushing’s disease and kidney disease, which a blood test and urinalysis can usually identify. Less common causes include diabetes insipidus and some medications, such as steroids. It is worth asking your vet whether bloodwork could be done before repeating a longer water test. Water deprivation tests are usually saved for after common causes are ruled out, and they are normally done in the clinic, because some dogs can become dangerously dehydrated within hours.
In the meantime, please don’t limit her water outside of a test your vet is supervising. If she is losing a lot of fluid in her urine, she needs to drink to keep up. Plenty of trips outside and a washable bed will help with the leaking. Call your vet if she seems weak, wobbly or lethargic.
Our page on urinary incontinence in dogs explains other reasons a dog may leak urine.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
