Frequent Urination, Heat or UTI???

[IMSprout2]

Hi, I have a 2.5 year old GSD who is intact. She will be having a litter later this year after she gets her Schutzhund 1, then she will be spayed. However, I just picked her up from staying at a kennel for 5 days. I was very stressed about leaving her, but she was born at this well known kennel, so I thought it was the best possible option. I picked her up yesterday, she has urinated in the house 4 times since then. She has not gone potty in the house since she was 4 months old. My problem is that I was going to go on a day trip tomorrow for my families Christmas. I was going to have a dog sitter stay with her. I don't want to leave my dog if she is sick, I would rather bring her to a vet and have a urinalysis done. However, because I would be missing my family Christmas, I would feel bad if it turned out that she was just going into heat. Her urine has been a good amount, it is normal in color, and she doesn't seem to be straining when she goes. It's just that she is going a lot and sometimes in the house. Can any of you shed some light on this? I really want what's best for my baby and I am pretty torn about whether I should leave tomorrow or not. (My mom will want to kill me if I miss Christmas, too bad my dog is more important) btw: she should be going into heat sometime this week, it has been 6 months since her last one and she is pretty regular

[msvette2u]

Well. There's no way we can tell from the 'net.
Follow your instincts. If she's that valuable she's breeding stock, take her in and get her checked.
If it's a UTI she needs abx.
Also - yes kenneling a dog can cause UTIs as they are more prone to "holding it" when they are kenneled.

[IMSprout2]

Thank you, I had a feeling that she was probably "holding it" while she was there. We are normally inseparable so I think she was probably really nervous. I really appreciate your quick response. I guess my mom won't be too happy... I have just never experienced a dog going so frequently before a heat cycle, but that is what people keep thinking that it is.

[msvette2u]

I mean, it could be her coming into heat, they do tend to "mark" more (to attract males) but it could be a UTI, too. The only way to know is to have the vet investigate, unfortunately.

[IMSprout2]

I have decided to stay home and take her to the vet tomorrow. I will post an update. Thanks again!

[msvette2u]

Good luck

[IMSprout2]

Looks like it was just anxiety. I didn't think about it, but she has never had to go potty without being walked or with me in the yard. She held it too long. My poor baby. She is doing fine now though. She is super clingy however.