It could be due to a change in hormone levels, which is common during pregnancy or heat cycles.
Alternatively, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection or other health issue.
It’s important to note that while this article focuses on female dogs, male dogs can also experience leakage as well.
What is Clear Fluid?
Clear fluid is also known as urine or urine-like liquid.
It can vary in color from yellowish to dark brown and sometimes contains particles that can range from white to red.
The liquid is odorless and tasteless and has a specific gravity between 1.010 and 1.020 (meaning it’s heavier than water but lighter than blood).
The most common causes of clear fluid leakage include:
Urinary tract infections
Kidney diseases
Pregnancy
Heat cycle
Breed predisposition
Dogs with a genetic disorder like polycystic kidney disease
Trauma
Fractures
What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria gets into the bladder.
This happens when there is an injury to the urethra, such as from a cat bite, or if the dog licks its genitals too much.
When this occurs, any bacteria present on the skin enters the bloodstream and travels to the kidneys where it starts producing toxins.
These toxins irritate the lining of the bladder and cause inflammation.
This irritation leads to the release of white cells called leukocytes.
These cells then begin to attack the bacteria causing them to die off while releasing more waste products.
As these waste products build up in the bladder, they become thick and hard, forming a blockage that prevents the flow of urine.
While the body tries to expel this blockage through urination, the blockage becomes worse and worse until eventually, the dog will leak clear fluid.
Can Urinary Tract Infections Cause Other Problems?
Yes, urinary tract infections can cause other problems.
For instance, if the infection spreads to the kidneys, it can lead to kidney failure.
Other organs can also be affected, including the liver and heart.
In severe cases, the infection can spread to the brain resulting in death.
Causes of Clear Fluid Leakage
A female dog may leak clear fluid in any of the following situations:
During heat cycles (estrus)
Pregnancy
Urinary tract infections
Other health issues
Breed-specific disorders
If the leaking persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s best to consult your vet immediately.
Here are some causes and signs of clear fluid leakage:
Heat Cycles
During heat cycles, a female dog can experience an increase in hormones that cause her body temperature to rise.
This can lead to increased urination and sometimes even more urine production.
The most common time for this is during estrous periods.
This can also occur when there’s an imbalance in estrogen versus progesterone levels.
A decrease in estrogen can cause a drop in progesterone, which then leads to decreased urine flow.
In cases where a female dog is leaking clear fluids, she will likely have a fever, as well as increased thirst and appetite. She might also appear listless or lethargic.
Most dogs go through a slight increase in their urine output during pregnancy.
They may also become dehydrated, which is why female dogs often drink more water than usual.
However, if the amount of urine increases to the point where it becomes cloudy, you should contact your vet right away.
In addition to being dehydrated, a pregnant female dog could also be experiencing preeclampsia or preterm labor.
Urinary Tract Infections
Female dogs who are prone to UTIs are at higher risk of developing a urethral discharge.
This is because the urethra—the tube that carries urine out of the bladder—is located close to the vagina.
During the course of a UTI, bacteria from the lower urinary tract can enter the urethra and spread into the vaginal area.
This can lead to a discharge that contains blood, pus, or both.
Depending on how bad the infection is, it can also cause pain and discomfort during urination.
A female dog with a UTI may exhibit several different symptoms.
These include:
Vomiting
Lethargy
Discomfort during urination
Pain
Dehydration
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately so he/she can perform a physical exam and order appropriate tests.
Other Health Issues
Some other conditions that can result in a female dog leaking clear fluid include:
Kidney disease
Bladder stones
Diabetes
Hormonal imbalances
Cancer
Treatment of Clear Fluid Leakage
If the leaking persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s best to consult your vet and have your female dog checked for any underlying medical condition.
Below are some possible causes and treatments for clear urine leakage.
1. Changes in Hormone Levels :
Hormonal changes can cause a number of different issues, including urinary incontinence.
If you notice that your female dog leaks clear fluids while she urinates frequently, there are several things you can do to help her.
First, make sure she’s drinking enough water.
This will help keep her hydrated so her body doesn’t retain too much salt or water, which can lead to more frequent urination.
Next, increase her exercise.
Walking around the block regularly should help her flush out excess fluid.
You might also want to add a little extra weight when exercising her to help her burn off the extra calories.
2. Urinary Tract Infection:
A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract, which includes both the kidneys and bladder.
If your female dog has a UTI, it could be caused by bacteria getting into the urethra (the opening at the end of the urinary tract).
The most common symptom of a UTI is a foul odor coming from your female dog’s genitals.
Other symptoms include blood in the urine, pain with urination, and difficulty urinating.
To treat a UTI, your vet will likely prescribe antibiotics.
However, if she has a history of antibiotic use or other health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or liver problems, it’s best to avoid antibiotics altogether.
3. Kidney Disease :
Kidneys play a crucial role in regulating the amount of fluid in your female dogs body.
When they don’t function properly, your dog could leak clear fluid from the genital area.
She can experience a decrease in appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and even seizures.
To check for this possibility, your vet will perform a physical exam, including checking her gait, looking at her eyes, ears, and nose, and listening to her heart and lungs.
Your vet will also conduct a urinalysis to test her urine for glucose and protein levels.
4. Bladder Stones:
Bladder stones are small pieces of calcium that form inside your female dogs bladder.
They can sometimes get stuck in her urethra and cause a painful obstruction.
If your female dog is experiencing a lot of pain when urinating, she might need surgery to remove these bladder stones.
However, many times, bladder stones cause no symptoms at all.
In those cases, it’s best not to worry about them unless they start causing trouble.
If you suspect your female dog has bladder stones, schedule an appointment with your vet.
Prevention of Clear Fluid LeakageIf the leaking persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s best to see a vet as soon as possible.
The first step should be to make sure that there isn’t an underlying health problem, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI).
A UTI can cause a lot of symptoms, including frequent urination and blood in the urine.
If you suspect that your female dog has a UTI, start treating her with antibiotics right away.
In addition to treating any underlying issues, you can also try to prevent further leakage.
Keep your female dog on a regular schedule for her monthly cycle, especially if she shows signs of being pregnant or in heat.
Also, keep her hydrated throughout the day and feed her enough food so that she doesn’t have to go out to pee frequently.
You can also try giving your female dog a daily dose of cranberry juice.
Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, which help to prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder.
This helps to reduce the risk of a UTI developing into a more serious condition.
When to See a Vet:
If the leaking continues and is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s best to see a vet.
The first thing they will do is perform a physical examination.
They will also collect urine samples for testing.
Depending on the results, they can then recommend treatment or refer you to another specialist if necessary.
The following treatments are commonly used to treat canine urinary incontinence:
Drug therapy – This involves using medications that reduce bladder pressure and increase muscle tone.
Surgery – This means removing part of the bladder wall to allow urine to flow more freely.
Behavioral modification – This often includes training your pet to urinate outside instead of inside.
A veterinarian can also prescribe medication to help relieve pain and discomfort.
Some medications include:
Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone)
Antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin)
Alpha blockers (e.g., phenoxybenzamine)
Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., meloxicam)
Anesthetics (e.g., butorphanol/romifidine)
How to Prevent Urinary Incontinence in Dogs?
You can prevent urinary incontinence in dogs by keeping them hydrated.
If your dog has been drinking water regularly, they should not have any problems with leakage.
But even if your pet drinks plenty of water, there are still ways to prevent urinary incontinence.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
