Why does my dog have dark brown urine?

Question

My small (male)dog has been urinating a dark brown urine since this afternoon. I have taken him to the vet, who has performed some tests and is dumb-founded. Tane (the dog) does not show any other symptoms that usually come with brown urine (ie collapsing, yellow eyes, lethargy, vomiting etc..). In fact he is quite normal. There is no blood evident in the urine. He is a very energetic dog and nothing has changed there... The vet has said she believes it may be a liver infection, but does not show any other usual signs of this. She has said if anything changes, to call her straight away. Otherwise, she has no idea.
Has anyone any experience with this?
Cheers.

Answer 1

Since your vet has done tests and can't offer a conventional diagnosis, I don't mind mentioning a case we had once. This may or may not be the cause, but it's worth a thought.

We had a dog come in with orange urine. Did all the tests, pondered, read texts, couldn't figure it out. Dog appeared fine. We were stumped. Then I noticed something when I was giving him his complementary nail trim that came with all visits to our vet office. He had orange spots on his fur between his pads. I mentioned this to his owner. Turns out he'd gone counter surfing overnight and eaten a pack of Kool-aid mix, straight, no ice, no twist. Guess why his urine was orange?!?!?

Hope your doggie's problem is just as minor and entertaining.

Answer 2

Dark Urine In Dogs

Answer 3

I assume that your vet is someone you trust.
Brown urine usually means one of 4 things
1 kidney problems , dark brown can mean old blood
2 Liver problems, which need tests to prove
3 Has eaten somehing that has caused the color
4 isn't drinking enough water and the urine is dark

If this continues your dog needs to be taken back to the vet for some tests

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why does my dog have dark brown urine?
My small (male)dog has been urinating a dark brown urine since this afternoon. I have taken him to the vet, who has performed some tests and is dumb-founded. Tane (the dog) does not show any other symptoms that usually come with brown urine (ie collapsing, yellow eyes, lethargy, vomiting etc..). In...

Answer 5

If the dog acts perfectly fine, I doubt it's urgent. If the colour reverts to normal within a few hours, I agree with other responders who said the dog must have eaten something that tinted his urine. (My first thought when I read your question was, does this dog drink Guiness? lol.) If the brown persists, then by all means get a second opinion, preferably at a large veterinary hospital or a veterinary-school clinic, where you are more likely to find specialists.

I hope it's nothing, and keep us posted!

Answer 6

I could be diet or stress related if anything has been changed. Or it could be one of the possibilities your vet suggested, only the other symptoms haven’t developed yet. Then again, could just be a case of dark urine for no reason at all. Good that you noticed the change though, most people wouldn’t. Just keep an eye on him, make sure he has plenty of water and isn’t getting into anything he shouldn’t be. Also, ask yourself if anything in your life has changes recently that might be upsetting you, and in turn your dog, or just your dog.

Answer 7

Urine gets darker as it gets concentrated so is he drinking enough water? Or is he going outside often enough? My Rott once in a while did not pee for 24 hours just because he did not feel the need to so his pee was darker by the time he went. I hope the vet did a urine test and blood work. Could he have eaten or been fed a new treat?

Answer 8

I have to say that I agree with the person who says find another vet right now. He could have the beginning of a serious disease and more tests need to be done. Brown urine is NOT normal.

Answer 9

I'm doing basic obedience right now. My trainer hasn't once handled my dog. He has shown me how to handle my dog by using his own dog but that's about it. The reasoning is that I need to learn how to do these basic corrections and what not myself. Learn more https://tinyurl.im/dAqvg

I have never considered sending my dog away for training. I guess I haven't found that much of a problem with him to even think about it.

Again, it may also have to do with the level of training you are looking for etc. No idea lol. I'm not a trainer. I think a first time dog owner needs to learn simple commands and how to handle their dog themselves as well.

Answer 10

ok - as a vet its impossible for me to actually diadnose without seeing him and running labs - but I can tell you that he is either suffering from kidney failure or is severely dehydrated...either was he needs a vet asap. I would suggest avoiding your vet if she seems perplexed as to what to and sent you home with a potentially very ill pup. If there is a vet teaching hospital in your area take him there. If not find a small animal vet in your area that is both established and reccommended. And refuse to leave until they figure it out....in my expereince its the patients whose owners are a squeeky wheel that almost always recover better than the patients whose owners allow themselves to be intimidated by the letters DV and M : ) Either way get him in today!

Best of luck - we'll keep him in our thoughts!