Health issue question - Page 2

Try to catch his urine next time in a glass and see how it looks. Granted, traces of blood cannot always be seen, but still, see what color it is, cloudy or clear, etc. 

If he is intact at his age BPH and UTI which often comes with it would be a guess. Medication for BPH (enlarged prostate) is expensive and the only other recourse is a neuter.

It sounds like stones, which can be deadly if they eventually cause a total blockage, which can happen. There are organizations that will assist financially with these situations. If you are in the US, contact the animal welfare league. He needs to be seen by a vet ASAP. 

Good luck,

theresa

Thank you all, your advice is appreciated.  I've been keeping close tabs and he's been okay.  His urine was dark, but no blood that I can see.  The last time he went it was not as dark and after he peed, he came right back in.  I'm making sure he has plenty of clean, fresh water and I'm not going anywhere until tomorrow when it's my turn taking care of my parents.  I'll be gone for hours, but my granddaughter will be here and I'll make sure she sees to his needs while I'm gone.  If need be, I will make contact to see if I can get some vet care.  I'll keep you posted and thanks again for the responses, it's nice to know I can come here for advice and support :)

Travels,I dealt with a vicious e.coli infection that affected a pup's kidneys. It was a major ordeal, started out as a regular UTI, and vets took the lazy way out and treated w/out a C&S. Long story short, after 6 months of the dog getting worse, not better, and having side effects from that long on meds, the owners got desperate and asked me what I would do and finally agreed to do it.All along they'd been asking but still doing what the vet said. LOL

Long story short, in 2 weeks on a supplement created by a fascinating vet, the e.coli count was ZERO, when before that, it was climbing from 10k+ to 100k+ and that was after 6 months on abx with no longer than 2 weeks at a time off them. Vet was floored. Me, not so much.

I will send you some (it's very expensive) if you will send me your address. 

Thank you Jenni, I will PM my address!  He has been fine for the remainder of the day, but I only left him for 20 minutes to run to the store.  I also made sure he drank plenty of water and was out every hour.  My daughter was over this evening and said she'll pay for the vet, so I'll see how he's doing in the morning and if need be, will call and make an appointment.  In the meantime, I'm giving him cranberry tablets, can't hurt!

Travels, FYI, I have gotten a message from a kind soul willing to donate a little money toward a vet visit if I'll organize. I guess I have made a name for myself in the fundraising world of PDB. LOL. Oh well, there are worse things I'm known for. ;) 

No need Jenni, my daughter has offered to vet him.  But thank you, I know you're here if I ever do need you :)  <3

   The way it should be....keep us posted Please. We love Drake!!!!

Drake had a good day!  I was at my parents' house for a good part of the day and no accidents while I was gone.  The grandchildren are here for the night, so he'll have plenty of attention.  I'll be making an appointment on Monday to make sure it's not something that needs to be corrected for the long term.  Thank you all so very much for your offers of assistance and also for the advice.  I feel like I have family here and you don't know how much that means to me.  I know I don't frequent this board since I no longer train and have no plans for a future of training (I just cause trouble in OT).  Drake will be my last GSD, I no longer have the room that's necessary.  He's also very special to me for many other reasons, he really is my best friend, even though he's "just a pet",