Polydipsia refers to an increased level of thirst in dogs, while polyuria refers to an abnormally high urine production. While serious medical consequences are rare, your pet should be evaluated to ensure that these conditions are not symptoms of a more serious underlying medical condition. Your veterinarian will want to either confirm or rule out renal failure, or hepatic diseases.

 

Polyuria and polydipsia can affect both dogs and cats, and can be brought on by a variety of factors. If you would like to learn more about how these diseases affect cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

 

Symptoms

 

The most common symptoms of these medical conditions are an increase in urination, and drinking much more water than usual. There are generally no other behavioral changes.

 

Causes

 

The primary causes of polydipsia and polyuria include congenital abnormalities, and those associated with renal failure. Congenital diseases can include diabetes, a decrease in steroid production by the adrenal glands, and some rare psychological disorders. Kidney diseases, meanwhil, can be congenitally based, or can be linked to tumors, increased steroid production, increased thyroid hormone levels, and electrolyte or hormonal disorders.

 

Other potential factors behind polydipsia and polyuria are low protein diets, medications that are prescribed for removing excess fluid from the body (diuretics), and age. The younger and more active a dog is, the more likely it is that it will have intermittent increases in thirst and urination.

 

Diagnosis

 

Your veterinarian will examine your dog to determine the true levels of thirst and urination by measuring water intake and urination output. A baseline of normal fluid levels (hydration) and normal urination will be established for comparison, and an evaluation will be performed to ensure that the increased thirst and urination are not signs of a more serious medical condition.

 

Standard tests will include a complete blood count (CBC), a urinalysis, and X-ray imaging to rule out or confirm any issues with the kidney (renal) system, the adrenal system, and the reproductive systems.

 

Any other symptoms accompanying the increased levels of thirst or urination, even when appearing unrelated, will be taken into consideration during the final diagnosis.

 Treatment

 

Treatment will most likely be on an outpatient basis. The primary concern is that renal or hepatic failure can be causing increased water consumption or increased urination. If both of these concerns have been ruled out, and there are no other serious medical conditions associated with either of these conditions, no treatment or behavior modification will be necessary.

 

Your doctor may recommend water limitation, while cautioning you to observe that your dog is adequately hydrated. Hydration levels should be monitored during and following treatment, since dehydration can also bring about serious medical complications. If the dog is dehydrated, electrolytes may also be prescribed.

 

Living and Management

 

Observation and comparison against the determined baseline levels are recommended for judging progress.

 

Prevention

 

There are currently no known preventative measures for either polydipsia or polyuria.

lysis

The breakdown of something or the destruction of something, biologically speaking

tumor

A mass of tissue with no real function; may be malignant or benign

renal

Anything having to do with the kidneys

genera

The plural form of the word ‘genus.’

health

A state of being in which all body parts function as they should

acute

Term used to imply that a situation or condition is more severe than usual; also used to refer to a disease having run a short course or come on suddenly.

rot

A type of decay that is caused by fungus or bacteria

nag

A type of horse that does not belong to a particular breed

vat

Term used to refer to a large tub or container used to hold liquids; may be used to dip animals into.

nit

An egg of a louse

ion

An atom that has a positive or negative charge

kidney

Part of the urinary system; used to filter blood and remove waste products

gene

A unit of inheritance; something that is passed down (as in a trait)

hormone

A chemical that is transported by the blood to regulate organ activity

endocrine

Having to do with the internal system

dehydrate

To take the moisture out of something

urinalysis

An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness

polydipsia

A medical condition involving excessive thirst

dehydration

A medical condition in which the body has lost fluid or water in excessive amounts

polyuria

Excessive urination

diuretic

Anything that causes excessive urination

hepatic

Referring to the liver

steroid

The term for a type of medication that impacts immunity, metabolism, sexual characteristics, and other such elements of a living thing

protein

A compound of organic acids; may contain carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, or oxygen

genital

Having to do with the sex organs

renal failure

The failure of the kidneys to perform their proper functions

Related ArticlesBalancing Urine Concentration in DogsParticulate Matter in the Urine of Dogs Abnormality in Shaft which Passes Urine to Urethra in DogsUrinary Tract Stones/Crystals Made Up of Uric Acid in DogsAbnormal Urine Outflow Due to Urinary Bladder Dysfunction in DogsBack to top

 

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Polydipsia refers to an increased level of thirst in dogs, while polyuria refers to an abnormally high urine production. While serious medical consequences are rare, your pet should be evaluated to ensure that these conditions are not symptoms of a more serious underlying medical condition. Your veterinarian will want to either confirm or rule out renal failure, or hepatic diseases.

 

Polyuria and polydipsia can affect both dogs and cats, and can be brought on by a variety of factors. If you would like to learn more about how these diseases affect cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

 

Symptoms

 

The most common symptoms of these medical conditions are an increase in urination, and drinking much more water than usual. There are generally no other behavioral changes.

 

Causes

 

The primary causes of polydipsia and polyuria include congenital abnormalities, and those associated with renal failure. Congenital diseases can include diabetes, a decrease in steroid production by the adrenal glands, and some rare psychological disorders. Kidney diseases, meanwhil, can be congenitally based, or can be linked to tumors, increased steroid production, increased thyroid hormone levels, and electrolyte or hormonal disorders.

 

Other potential factors behind polydipsia and polyuria are low protein diets, medications that are prescribed for removing excess fluid from the body (diuretics), and age. The younger and more active a dog is, the more likely it is that it will have intermittent increases in thirst and urination.

 

Diagnosis

 

Your veterinarian will examine your dog to determine the true levels of thirst and urination by measuring water intake and urination output. A baseline of normal fluid levels (hydration) and normal urination will be established for comparison, and an evaluation will be performed to ensure that the increased thirst and urination are not signs of a more serious medical condition.

 

Standard tests will include a complete blood count (CBC), a urinalysis, and X-ray imaging to rule out or confirm any issues with the kidney (renal) system, the adrenal system, and the reproductive systems.

 

Any other symptoms accompanying the increased levels of thirst or urination, even when appearing unrelated, will be taken into consideration during the final diagnosis.

 Treatment

 

Treatment will most likely be on an outpatient basis. The primary concern is that renal or hepatic failure can be causing increased water consumption or increased urination. If both of these concerns have been ruled out, and there are no other serious medical conditions associated with either of these conditions, no treatment or behavior modification will be necessary.

 

Your doctor may recommend water limitation, while cautioning you to observe that your dog is adequately hydrated. Hydration levels should be monitored during and following treatment, since dehydration can also bring about serious medical complications. If the dog is dehydrated, electrolytes may also be prescribed.

 

Living and Management

 

Observation and comparison against the determined baseline levels are recommended for judging progress.

 

Prevention

 

There are currently no known preventative measures for either polydipsia or polyuria.

lysis

The breakdown of something or the destruction of something, biologically speaking

tumor

A mass of tissue with no real function; may be malignant or benign

renal

Anything having to do with the kidneys

genera

The plural form of the word ‘genus.’

health

A state of being in which all body parts function as they should

acute

Term used to imply that a situation or condition is more severe than usual; also used to refer to a disease having run a short course or come on suddenly.

rot

A type of decay that is caused by fungus or bacteria

nag

A type of horse that does not belong to a particular breed

vat

Term used to refer to a large tub or container used to hold liquids; may be used to dip animals into.

nit

An egg of a louse

ion

An atom that has a positive or negative charge

kidney

Part of the urinary system; used to filter blood and remove waste products

gene

A unit of inheritance; something that is passed down (as in a trait)

hormone

A chemical that is transported by the blood to regulate organ activity

endocrine

Having to do with the internal system

dehydrate

To take the moisture out of something

urinalysis

An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness

polydipsia

A medical condition involving excessive thirst

dehydration

A medical condition in which the body has lost fluid or water in excessive amounts

polyuria

Excessive urination

diuretic

Anything that causes excessive urination

hepatic

Referring to the liver

steroid

The term for a type of medication that impacts immunity, metabolism, sexual characteristics, and other such elements of a living thing

protein

A compound of organic acids; may contain carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, or oxygen

genital

Having to do with the sex organs

renal failure

The failure of the kidneys to perform their proper functions

Related ArticlesBalancing Urine Concentration in DogsParticulate Matter in the Urine of Dogs Abnormality in Shaft which Passes Urine to Urethra in DogsUrinary Tract Stones/Crystals Made Up of Uric Acid in DogsAbnormal Urine Outflow Due to Urinary Bladder Dysfunction in DogsBack to top

 

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