Urinating too much

[~Astral~]

Hi all,

I'm getting concerned about my 11 yr old poodle, Sid. He has CHF and is taking Encard 7.5mg daily and Norbet steroids for his breathing. He also has Furosemide when required.

I noticed 5 weeks ago that he was urinating more so I contacted the vet who reduced the doseage of Norbet and in a few days he was back to normal. Vet thought it was side effect of the steroids. But for the last week and a half Sid has been weeing more and for the last 5 days he's urinating 3xs more than usual for him. He isn't straining just weeing loads and hes been drinking more too.

What does it sound like is wrong with him?

[alimel]

Has he been checked for Kidney function? Increased thirst and urination are an indication.

Although Steroids will have the same effect, you mentioned it has increased in the last 5 days after your vet decreased the dosage. I would have your vet check his kidneys, he is at the age where this could be a factor.

[~Astral~]

His kidney function was checked several months ago. It was checked twice. First time something was very high and the second time everything was normal.

I really hope it isn't his kidneys. Poor little guy. I'll get him to the vet next week and get his kidney checked. Thank you.

[mara]

At this point I think you should have his blood sugar checked. Diabetes can cause increased urination but in an odd way the steroids can be causing his blood glucose to be going to high leading to the increased urination. I would definately get the blood sugar checked and maybe he doesn't need the steroid at all. The Encard may be enough or the Encard with a small amount of Furosamide.
Take in an early morning urine sample and have a uninalysis dip stick done on it...that's what I would do. If the urinary sugar is high the blood sugar is probably high too.

[Reyven]

I would check for diabetes and to make sure he doesn't have any kidney stones...though the stones would be unlikely unless he is straining or is in pain when urinating. It could also possibly be a bladder infection, but again, unlikely unless he starts acting as if it hurts him while urinating. Diabetes sounds like the most likely option.
Hope you can get him to a vet to get it figured out

[~Astral~]

Hi all and thanks for your replies. Unfortunately the Encard on its own or when used in conjunction with Furosemide doesn't keep Sid stable. He wheezes like crazy and has a lot of trouble breathing. To be honest with you I hate steroids, but the Vet did say its only short term to try and settle his air ways down.

Sid has once again gone to the wee. He's been 8 times since 5pm and its now 11:54pm.

I will definitely do the urine sample. Luckily Sid is pretty good at letting me do that lol. He isn't straining or showing any sign of pain. A UTI did cross my mind in the begining but because there's no sign of pain I think that rules it out but I'm not sure.

[mara]

Is there any specific reason that your vet chooses the steriod he/she does? Why not Prednisone?

[~Astral~]

Yes he said Norbet is very good at decreasing the imflammation in the airways.

[mara]

OK....I'd probably ask if the dose could be reduced again and then check for high blood glucose levels....that is more common than kidney disease unless.....maybe he had a urinary tract infection.

[~Astral~]

He's only on half a tablet of Norbet. He was decreased to quarter which didn't help him at all. I could get his pill changed to something else if its possible. Wouldn't he be straining with a UTI?