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Glucose in the urine can be discovered during a routine veterinary appointment, or there may be symptoms leading to the need for further review of the cause. Glucosuria is considered when there is a normal blood glucose concentration, but no kidney reabsorption abnormalities. With glucosuria, there can be a normal concentration of blood glucose, but a high concentration found in the urine.
The recurring or persistent excretion of glucose in the urine is known as glucosuria (or glycosuria) in veterinary terms. The presence of glucosuria most often means a renal problem or systemic disease. Glucose in the urine in dogs should be investigated by a veterinarian, due to the many complications that can arise because of it.
Glucosuria Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$2,500
Undetectable, to very low levels of glucose, are the norm. Serious consequences can result with a persistent reading of glucose in the urine. Many illnesses and diseases will cause glucosuria. If your dog is displaying any of the following symptoms, consult your veterinary care center without delay.
Kidney complications and related illnesses resulting in glucosuria may show additional signs:
The classifications of glucose in the urine are listed below.
(having excess of glucose in bloodstream)
(having a normal amount of glucose in bloodstream)
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When the blood glucose exceeds the renal threshold for normal activity, glucose is then found in the urine. There are many reasons why your furry family member could have this medical issue.
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Upon arrival at the veterinary clinic, it may be wise to ask right away for a sterile collection jar so that you can attempt to get a urine sample. Most dogs will cooperate and urinate outside the clinic; many other dogs will have left their scent.
The collection of a fresh sample is helpful for the veterinarian. Room temperature or body temperature samples can give the most accurate readings for glucose. Your veterinarian will obtain a sample by manipulation if you are unable to provide one.
Your veterinarian will ask the following questions as she performs a physical examination.
Along with verification of the urine sample, the veterinary team will proceed with a complete blood count, biochemical profile, and electrolyte profile. If the urinalysis and the laboratory work are unable to provide complete answers, further testing could involve hexokinase or glucokinase dehydrogenase tests, which are enzymatic glucose assessments. An ultrasound of the abdomen could be needed also.
Your veterinarian, as she works on the diagnosis, will want to investigate the possibilities of other illnesses such as listed here.
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Treatment of the glucose in urine in dogs will be very specific to the cause. For instance, if your canine family member is found to have diabetes, he will be put on medical management, which could include dietary changes and medication in the form of insulin.
Fanconi syndrome does not have a cure, but guidance will be provided on how to care for your pet throughout the rest of his life with medication and control of kidney disease progression.
If drugs are causing the glucose in the urine, alternative medication will be prescribed. A toxicity like antifreeze will mean a hospital stay and detoxification treatment.
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Recovery and home management will mean follow-up visits with your veterinarian in order to get the glucose situation under control. In the case of diabetes or Cushing’s disease, for example, the medication that your pet must take will need to be carefully monitored and controlled by the veterinary team.
Keep the team up to date on your beloved family pet’s health. Attend all follow-up appointments as directed, even if your pet appears to be back to normal. A veterinarian prescribed diet, along with vitamin and mineral supplements will be the norm. Glucose in the urine in dogs can be resolved or at the very least well managed with regular veterinary communication and care.
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Glucosuria Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$2,500
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Ask a Vet
Gomboc
Welsh Corgi
13 Years
Fair severity
1 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
My dog based on urine test has 6 mg/dl glucose in urine. Is this a sign of a problem I should be concerned? When tried to see the glucose in her urine with the indicator strip no glucosuria showed up. Her SDMA values are normal, glucose was normal, fructozamine also in normal range.Thanks for your answer.
July 27, 2018
Gomboc's Owner
1 Recommendations
Normally glucose is present in the urine once blood glucose levels go over 180mg/dL; stress is a possibility for glucose to be present in the urine but we normally see this is cats instead of dogs. If the blood glucose, fructosamine and SDMA values were normal I wouldn’t be concerned about diabetes or kidney disease. It may have been an error in testing and should be repeated (I don’t fully trust test strips). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM www.idexx.eu/globalassets/documents/parameters/9452-us-glucose-interpretive-summary.pdf
July 28, 2018
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Willow
Cavoodle
3.5 years
Fair severity
1 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
I took my dog into the vet after noticing slight unsteadiness after ball time. Blood tests revealed issues with kidneys and urine sample showed glucose in the urine. It was an old food container i used so could have been tainted. She isn't displaying any symptoms except not drinking quite enough water right now. could she be simply dehydrated?
Nov. 21, 2017
Willow's Owner
1 Recommendations
It is important to make sure that any dog is hydrated, but I would recommend you ask your Veterinarian for a sterile sample jar to collect a urine sample just to do the test again to eliminate any possible contaminants and get a clean reading. If the blood tests revealed kidney issues, hydration is more important and dietary changes are key. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 21, 2017
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Tater
Mixed
11 Years
Serious severity
1 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
Tater has bladder stones. Vet says large amounts of sugar in urine. But not a diabetic does not have cushings disease. Liver biopsy was normal. Drinking lots of water, peeing LARGE amounts and very sticky at cleanup. Hair falls out easily. New science diet, has lost several pounds. Not playful anymore. Bilirubin is normal. High enzymes of some sort in liver panel. Needs surgery to remove stones for second time in 5 years. He is a mixed breed dog.
Oct. 22, 2017
Tater's Owner
1 Recommendations
I would have the urinary stones removed and a specific diet tailored to Tater’s needs based on the type of urinary stones which are being found; also if there are high liver values, Denamarin may help with liver support which is a natural product available over the counter but is effective in many cases. Depending on the type of urinary stones, I would recommend following the article below from the Merck Veterinary Manual on dissolution and prevention of urinary stones using diet and supplements (not all stones play ball with this). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM www.msdvetmanual.com/urinary-system/noninfectious-diseases-of-the-urinary-system-in-small-animals/urolithiasis-in-small-animals
Oct. 22, 2017
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Buddy
Border Collie
7
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
Species: Dog border collie Gender: male, neutered Age: 7yo Weight: 48 lbs Location: California No remarkable history. Clinical signs: 2 days diarrhea and vomiting, otherwise no change in eating/drinking habits, resolved after bland diet and unmedicated - prompted vet visit for stool/urinalysis (stool clear/WNL, UA found glucose 100mg). Vet advised CBC (see below) and Urine culture/Lepto panel (clear/WNL) and repeat urinalysis with another local vet, below: CBC results: GLU 86mg/dL BUN 19mg/dL *CREA 2.0mg/dL (ref interval 0.5-1.8) All other measures within normal limits UA analyzer: *GLU 50mg/dL All other measures within normal limits/unremarkable. Second Vet recommended seeing internist/specialist for possible ultrasound of kidneys (another $1000). We're going to see what the internist says but is it possible the GI symptoms weren't linked to the trace glucosuria result? Patient is active, appears to now be asymptomatic. What are your thoughts on how to proceed given the borderline high Creatinine and trace glucosuria, if you've seen this presentation before, and possible differentials? Happy to provide full panels if needed. Thanks in advance.
July 26, 2017
Buddy's Owner
0 Recommendations
It is possible that the gastrointestinal symptoms are unrelated to the renal symptoms. Borderline results may be significant or not, but worth keeping an eye on. If you are able to see a Specialist just to have a more indepth examination and workup would be useful to know if it is something to be concerned about. There are numerous conditions which can affect the permeability of kidneys causing them to loose molecules like glucose, again a Specialist would investigate these further. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Jess
West Highland White Terrier
12 Years
Serious severity
1 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
My dog jess was put on carprofen for her back legs and after being on them for four weeks she all of a sudden looked you of lost weight which although we had been trying to manage jesses weight a bit better due to advice given by vet as it would help her legs. But losing a kilo in four weeks since right excessive to me as this brought her weight down to 11.9 kilos. Not long after she then started to go off her food and it took all kinds of offerings to get her to eat She wasn't touching dog food but Shen would eat like chicken and rice which I was making her or sliced pork or beef etc but Around five Days ago she stopped eating anything. She was drinking still but wouldn't eat then the sickness came it was a yellow biale so obviously the anti sickness and antibiotics the vet has given her are just being brought back up. Last night She shown interest in a sausage a had for my tea so I tried her with that and she ate that with her tablets stashed inside and she wasn't sick again until this afternoon. Tonight again I made he a sausage and done some rice and veg with it and she sorted out the sausage and ate that and a few mouthfuls of rice. The vets havnt really said much except the blood tests show no something not right in the kidney department. They had a feel around and said they couldn't feel any masses on the kidneys. I was prescribed further weeks worth of amox/clav 250mg 1 a day and five more days of zitac 100mg 2 a day I'm just such in limbo as I'm worried sick and running out of options obviously a bit of sausage over nearly a week isn't enough for her body to run on. Is there any chance by my description you could help me maybe understand and give me some advice as what I can do to help her. I would really appreciate this as I can't stand to lose her I really can't. Thank you in advance.
July 26, 2017
Jess' Owner
1 Recommendations
Firstly, be cautious when feeding sausage to Jess as some sausages contain ingredients including onion, garlic and other items which maybe damaging or toxic to Jess’s health. The vomiting of bile would have been due to bile refluxing into the stomach and acidic irritation of an empty stomach. Apart from having a feel of the kidneys, has your Veterinarian performed an ultrasound to look for any structural anomalies in the kidneys? It is important to get Jess to eat, but you need to be careful if there are some kidney problems; there are numerous urinary diets available in canned formed which maybe mixed with a little water (to increase palatability) and with the rice to try to encourage her to eat in four or five small meals per day. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Kramer
Silky Terrier
15 Days
Serious severity
2 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
My silky terrier is almost 15 years old. Recently has lost weight, drinking a lot of water and urinating in the house. The urine is very sticky. Most recently he is losing strength in his legs. I am told it is normal for a dog of his age and really can't afford to get expensive testing done if it just old age. Is there anything that can be done to make him more comfortable?
Glucosuria Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$2,500
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