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TELL-TALE SIGNS - PINK OR RED COLOURED URINE

First broadcast on www.provet.co.uk  


This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only.

You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Sometimes apparently minor signs can be an indication of serious problems. Take for example pink or red coloured urine 

It is good practice for pet owners to observe their animals passing urine from time to time, so that any abnormalities in the act of urination or the appearance of the urine can be noticed. This can be particularly important if the animal is showing signs associated with urinary tract disease such as increased frequency of urination, difficulty urinating or increased thirst.

Urine is normally clear, or straw to yellow coloured. If it appears to be pink or red the discolouration is due to the presence of blood or red pigment (haemoglobin or myoglobin) derived from red blood cells. Sometimes there may be actual blood clots visible in the urine.

There are many causes of pink or red discolouration of the urine including :

  • Inflammation* anywhere along the urinary tract from the kidneys and the urinary bladder to the tube that carries urine out of the body - the urethra. 
  • Inflammation* of the genital tract -  the prostate, penis or prepuce in the male, the uterus, vagina and vulva in the female
  • Destruction of red blood cells in the body releasing red pigment which is then passed out in the urine eg haemolytic anaemia
  • Bleeding disorders resulting in blood in the urine eg warfarin poisoning, liver disease

*Causes of inflammation include infections, the formation of stones (uroliths), tumours, trauma and other diseases - eg in some countries parasites.

So, if an animal is passing pink or red coloured urine there could be a pretty serious disorder present - even if the animal otherwise appears to be normal, and veterinary attention should be sought so that tests can be performed to determine and treat the underlying cause.

 

Updated October 2013