Q.

If my pet urinates frequently, is it cause for alarm?

A.

There are many reasons a dog or cat may urinate more than normal. The medical term for this condition is 'polyuria.' The most common causes of polyuria include: Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) Cushing's Disease (hyperadrenocorticism) Pyometra (uterine infection) Hyperthyroidism Diabetes insipidus (results from an abnormality of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland) Liver failure Kidney failure or infection Psychogenic polydipsia (compulsive water drinking) Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism) Hypercalcemia (high level of calcium in the blood) Hypokalemia (low level of potassium in the blood) Medications: e.g., Lasix (furosemide), or glucocorticoids, such as prednisone High-salt diets Because of the seriousness of some of these conditions, a dog or cat urinating and/or drinking more than normal should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.