Is it a bladder infection, or marking issue?

[groupieindenial]

Just got back from a work trip, Vegas was boarded for about 4 days. Still not fixed, so marking was a problem during his stay. They were all males, an Akita which always has dominence over the rest arrived on day #3 (fixed), and a pitX already there was about the same age a Vegas which was also not fixed. Vegas hasn't been there since he was 6-7 months old. I told her if she had to have him caged often, it was okay with me, although she said she didn't crate him even at night. Hence, I think why he was marking excessively.

He's pretty good about not marking even at my friend's place that has a male Rott, but Vegas is submissive to him. NEver marks in my house, or my folks place. She says he seemed to be peeing excessively, almost un????rollably even outside. ??? Her observation was that even after he seemed to be done peeing, he'd walk around and still be dribbling some pee. I've seen him do this when he tries to quickly sneak in marking a fence or tree whilst on a walk. She also said that he seemed to have smelly urine, ("yeah, you let him mark the entire doggy area at will, ofcourse it's gonna smell"). I just don't think all this is a bladder issue, I think its a ranking issue, and Vegas the bully that he can be, was trying to gain status in the ranks. He realizes he's bigger than all the dogs now cept the Akita (which arrived 2 days later, and they took about 45 minutes to settle thier status.) I think he felt he had highest rank till the Akita came. She also said he started acting more normal after that too.

I just got him back late last night. Not much to observe at this point. He doesn't seem to have the need to pee a lot. I don't "smell" his supposedly stinky urine, cuz he's not marking now that we're home. He hasn't "dribbled" any on my floor. What should I look for, or should I bring in a urine sample to be sure before it gets worse if it is a UTI? How much is the test if I just bring in a sample?

[groupieindenial]

SInce no one has responded, I'm guessing my speculation that it's a marking issue not a bladder infection?

[Judi W]

what the heck kind of a place was this boarding? Was it a boarding kennel or does someone keep these dogs in her home and just let them run around and piss on things?

[Judy Chrusch]

I doubt it is a bladder problem but the answer to your question is yes to play it safe take in a sample and as far as what it costs, not sure but it can't be much and if the peeing has stopped at home then don't take one but I'd find out where he was at the kennel as far as inside or out with these dogs and find out how this was allowed bc it can become a real bad habit rather quickly. You know your dog better then anyone here and as far as symptoms, with a UTI you will see frequent urinating and possibly blood but as I said if he has stopped this behavior at home then he doesn't likely have a problem but he may also continue to pee in your house if he did it there. Whenever you're in question about a possible health problem, get it checked out. Hope things are better.

Judy

[Judi W]

Judy is right, and I should have responded more to the question, but - she is also right about how quickly this can become a highly enjoyable habit. If he was put in a position with a bunch of other marking dogs, that is what he is going to do. Doesn't sound like a UTI to me but a bad boarding situation.

[groupieindenial]

It's a small boarding facility. SHe has her basement set up with caged sleeping / resting quarters, and sorta like a play area. She also has outside run facilities, but aren't used in the winter time. SHe only takes a few dogs at a time. The last time Vegas boarded there, he hadn't started marking yet, so it wasn't an issue before. I warned her, but I think it caught her a little off guard. The other dogs weren't marking, Vegas was the only dog with the marking issue. The relevance of the dogs I noted above, was to explain the ranking situation. This behaviour was happening inside and outside. She would let a few of the dogs outside several times a day to relief themselves, and get a bit of excersize, ofcourse supervised. The dogs won't run around outside unless she's there too. (the PitX was the aggressor, and was kept seperate from Vegas and the Akita for precautionary measures).

I have in the past few months, taken the initiative to discourage marking on walks, and for a little while had to keep him on leash while visiting the folks. He doesn't do this in my home, never has.

If she doesn't start listening to my requests, I am going to board him the traditional way. I know that this marking is hard habit to control. I've been doing what I can do on my part, but if she continues to allow him to mark, and not crate/cage him like I had requested then I'll have to switch facilities. I really do like her place, has won local awards for dog boarding excellence and human touch award. Vegas has acted quite submissively in the past with her dogs. Now that he's bigger, he's throwing his weight around. He's not an aggressor, but he's begginning to not back down so easily when confronted.

Thanks for the advice, and opinions.

RE: UTI symptoms, is it also painful to pee? WOuld he whimper or strain to pee?

[Judi W]

I'll bet that basement really stinks! I'd say that is the starting part is that he was unsupervised in what is really indoors, but is used as an outdoor area by the dogs. This is not good dog keeping as far as I am concerned. A proper boarding facility has an indoor outdoor run for each dog. The can be indoors and go out the dog door to be in the kennel run area and relieve themselves. I don't see a bunch of dogs crated or running in a basement as preferable. Yep, I'd rethink this if I was you.

[groupieindenial]

It didn't when we arrived, but I'm sure it's bad now Vegas is done with it. I just don't understand why she would continue to let him be left out knowing he was marking like he was. She was convinced he had a bladder issue, but it's been 2 days, and the only possible sign is his bright colored pee. Bright, not dark. He gets various supplements daily, so that does not seem odd to me.

My agility training club i think have facilities as you describe. I am going to ask to get a closer look at them tonight when we go to class. He won't get that personal touch while I'm away, but there are bigger things to be concerned about here, including his safety.

[Judy Chrusch]

The fact that she doesn't allow them out bc it's winter is giving confusing messages to any dog, that's a shame and any dog should and does acclimate itself for all kinds of weather. If she has a boarding kennel she should have exactly what Judi said, indoor and outdoor runs, heat in the winter and AC in the summer. I feel sorry for the dogs and as I said a bit confusing for them. Find a clean kennel with indoor/outdoor runs, go through it, ask questions and be comfortable with the setup or find a qualified petsitter, one that can handle and has handled rotties. I hope this helps.

Judy

[Judy Chrusch]

Oh to answer your question about a UTI as far as symptoms, it can be painful but a rottie usually shows very little if any signs of pain so I'm not sure you'd hear a whimper come out of him and the bright urine may indicate he doesn't drink enough. As I said, when in doubt, get it checked so you're not guessing.

Judy

[Judi W]

While the words "in my own home" sound all nice and cozy and touchy feely, like they are all in the family room watching TV, but putting dogs down in the basement, letting them piss in the house is not homey. It is lazy and unprofessional. I would much prefer my dog be kenneled. She probably does not have proper outdoor runs to separate the dogs either and just turns them in the yard if at all.

Do your dog a favor and don't use that place again.