Shades of Yellow - and I don't mean sunshine!

B

Brighid's Mom

Forums Regular
It's snowy here on the East Coast. The furbabies just love it! However, the white snow lets you see pee very clearly and I think that for both of them, it's a deeper shade of yellow than usual? They drink lots and lots of water, at least that is what is evidenced by how many times I have to top up the water fountain. I know what bright yellow urine would mean in a human, but does it mean the same thing in a dog?

It only occurs to me to raise this as they both went out just now but I was home 3 hours ago and they both went then so it isn't like this is the first go of the day. Brighid is prone to UTI so it concerns me that her urine is too concentrated and may cause a problem. On the other hand, the snow is fresh and really really white so maybe it is just the contrast? Or maybe the sun really is brighter today? Those of you without benefit of snow would not have the opportunity to examine pee colors - but those that do - have you ever noticed?
 
Brighid's Mom said:
It's snowy here on the East Coast. The furbabies just love it! However, the white snow lets you see pee very clearly and I think that for both of them, it's a deeper shade of yellow than usual? They drink lots and lots of water, at least that is what is evidenced by how many times I have to top up the water fountain. I know what bright yellow urine would mean in a human, but does it mean the same thing in a dog?

It only occurs to me to raise this as they both went out just now but I was home 3 hours ago and they both went then so it isn't like this is the first go of the day. Brighid is prone to UTI so it concerns me that her urine is too concentrated and may cause a problem. On the other hand, the snow is fresh and really really white so maybe it is just the contrast? Or maybe the sun really is brighter today? Those of you without benefit of snow would not have the opportunity to examine pee colors - but those that do - have you ever noticed?
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Just like in a human, dark yellow pee means it is concentrated. If it has a bright yellow orange color is could be from bilirubin being void in the urine and a sign of liver issues. It is a really strange color and different looking than normal dark yellow. I have noticed that all of my dogs urine is really dark right now. I don't know if it is the snow or not. I been incouraging drinking by adding ice cubes to the water as winter dries them out. Unless it smells, it is most likely normal.
 
Sorry, can't resist, doing a temporary highjack of the thread!

http://www.livevideo.com/video/CBBAEA148AF54300AFC8B3D2F6CE92CB/don-t-you-eat-that-yellow-snow.aspx

Seriously though, I don't think you can compare pee on snow against pee on grass. Pee on a bright white background is always going to stand out because of the contrast. I know mine does!

But if you are worried, capture a sample and take to the vet. There are threads here on how to capture pee samples.

(and yes, we progress from poo to pee! That was BOUND to happen, eventually!)
 
BarbV said:
Pee on a bright white background is always going to stand out because of the contrast. I know mine does!
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Sorry, let me clarify...I don't mean MINE as in ME, I mean MINE as my puppies. Thought I better set the record straight. I generally don't make a habit of peeing in snow. :razz:
 
Without going into colour frequencies and wavelengths, basically the reflective nature of snow makes the yellow stand out more as it reflects the yellow and absorbs the other colours.
 
The Quahog said:
It is remarkable how many bladder infections we see when there is snow on the ground. - Dr. Mac
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Do you think it's because owners notice the change in urine color, and bring in dogs with infections that might been left to resolve on their own during warmer months? Or, is it due to less frequent trips outside because of the cold? Both? Something else entirely?
 
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