My almost 5 year old Chihuahua (who has been totally housebroken for years), recently started to pee on my carpet occasionally for about the last 2 weeks. She is heat at the moment. Could this be why even though this has never happened before? She has also increased her water intake (although not excessively). Could she be diabetic? Or maybe have an infection of some sort? How can I tell?

MsMollie

Did you recently get any new animals? Or has anyone new moved into the house?

jenabeth

No. Nothing new going on.

shazamataz

Once her heat is over get her spayed.
When they come into heat it is very annoying for them and they often feel the need to urinate hen they do not actually need to go.

The risk of picking up urinary infections is also very high at this time.

jenabeth

Thanks for the advise! :-) I took her to the vet yesterday and the she seems to think it is a urinary tract infection. She did some blood work and gave her antibiotics. I take her back after she is finished taking them.

shazamataz

Good luck, let us know how she goes after the coarse of antibiotics.

It may sound trivial but make sure your grass is kept mowed very short, it will help reduce the risk of it reoccurring as her vulva will not come into contact with anything when she squats to urinate.

jenabeth

Spicy just finished her course of antibiotics and is now doing great! :-) No more accidents! Thanks to everyone for the advise!

shazamataz

Great news, I'm glad she is feeling better!

jenabeth

Thanks! :-)