Whats wrong with my pup! could se be in heat at 20 weeks?

[Justin]

My 4 month old pup, Belle recently "dripping" pee all the time.  I take her out, and she squats about 5 times each time she goes out.  I make sure that she only has water 3 times a day thinking that maybe she was drinking too much.  Now I am concerned that she might have a urinary tract infection, or worse going into heat!  Have any of you had this experience?

Thanks!

[Robin & Josie]

Hi Justin:

First off, Belle is ADORABLE - but you already knew that :) I haven't had the experience with my dog, but I know that humans with UTI's feel like they have to pee a lot and then just pee a little at a time, so I think your instinct on that could be correct. I suggest you stop withholding water (as drinking a lot is good for UTI's - flushes the system) and get her to the vet where they can test her and give her an antibiotic, if needed.

If she were going into heat, she'd be dripping blood, not urine, so that is an unlikely cause.

Good luck!

P.S. Re the spaying question, vets vary on their recommendations. You can do a search for threads on that here. Our pup was spayed at 8 weeks. Our vet was not pleased with that, ( obviously, we couldn't undo it). They usually do it around 6 months. 

[Rae]

It sounds like you and Belle are lucky and your breeder didn't do an "early spay"! Our Cassie was spayed at 7 months. Most vets like the 6 month mark because the pup is still too young to go into heat. Talk to your vet tomorrow during the visit tomorrow and you could even set up the appointment! Our vet likes waiting until all the first round of puppy shots have been given. Cassie got the rabies shot at 6 months and spay at 7 months.

Thank you for being such a good puppy dad and being concerned/ asking input on your sweet girl. She is a lucky pup! Let us know what the vet says.

[Linda And Loo]

I agree with Ro. I think you need to let a Vet check her out. Hang in there!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Beautiful holiday picture of Belle! As others have mentioned, Belle's problem isn't heat related, but it sure sounds like a UTI to me. There are many different symptoms of a UTI, of which a dog might exhibit only one or many: Drinking excessively, peeing excessively (frequently and sometimes just drops at a time), peeing in inappropriate areas, like indoors, and clear urine. Sounds like Belle has several. You don't want to withhold water at any time, especially during a UTI. I think you may have already addressed that. A vet appt. definitely is in order. Good luck, and I hope she's better soon!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Regarding the spaying, it sounds like Belle was sold on a spay contract. You may want to check the original purchase agreement as there may be a stipulation as to when the spay should be performed. 6 months is typical for such agreements.

[Rebecca bratter]

So Justin, nothing is wrong with your pup that the vet can diagnose and hopefully give you a remedy.  It's scary in the beginning.  I dont' know about you but my aussiedoodle was the first dog I raised from puppy to adult and much like a human child, we don't know what's normal and what's not and it's scary.  I can't tell you much much money we spent on our little girl during her first year, we have insurance but we still paid a lot for tests, etc. out of pocket, and I'd always rather be safe than sorry.  My girl leaked still leaks but we are working on it.  Like others have said, a pup can never get enough water, they are constantly thirsty and it's not the water alone.  Get her checked up, and put your mind at ease and enjoy your adorable girl.  My girl was spayed at 6 months too. The med she is on for urinary incontinence is phenylpropanolamine.  

[Rae]

Our 8 1/2 yr old Goldendoodle is also on PPA (phenylpropanolamine) and has been for nearly 2 years. It has really made a huge difference in her quality of life. Rozee has had many reoccurring UTI sessions but we think we're on the right tract now since it's been nearly a year since the last round.

Our puppy, Cassie, was spayed at 7 months just because we didn't want to have her go into heat. Our breeder's health contract requires spaying between 6-12 months.

[Justin]

Turns out it is a UTI. We are on antibiotics and she is doing very well. On another note... my 4 month old will be going into heat within the next month the vet says.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

How is Belle doing? Im assuming her UTI is gone? Has the leaking stopped?