Hi,
My female toy breed dog is 6 1/2 months old and has been in heat for about a week.  She's been fine, but today at lunchtime when I went home to take her out, she seemed to have difficulty urinating.  She would crouch down, then sort of "crab walk" along as though she were trying to get comfortable or something, but never appeared to actually go.  I tried several times to get her to go but she did the same thing each time.  Otherwise she is fine.  Just wondering if I should ring the vet?

Hi Miranda,

She may be scent marking, so only trying to dribble a little amount of urine over as wide ranging an area as possible.  My bitches always do this when approaching a season and throughout the duration.

However should you feel she appears uncomfortable or that this is an unlikely cause with your girl, then best have her checked for cystitis or possibly a UTI.

regards, Teri

I would, and have them put a catheter (unless you can get a small urine sample on your own) in to check for crystals.  It could be as simple as marking, but it could also be a UTI.  I would have her checked out, better safe than sorry. 

Are you sure it isn't the anal glands bothering her?

Not sure really.  She's definitely in the "weeing" position when she does this, not the "pooping" position - could that still be anal glands?  As she's in heat, she has been licking herself down there a lot, so I'm wondering if it could be an infection?  She doesn't appear distressed or in pain.  She was fine last night and this morning, so I'm thinking I'll keep an eye on her tonight and phone the vet in the morning if there's no change?

A lot of them do this as said to scent the ground, they bend down every few seconds and spray their lovely aroma, even without any boys around!

Thanks very much for your replies.  She seemed to have two "normal" wees last night and this morning.  I think the spreading of scent sounds like the most plausible explanation at the moment as she doesn't appear to be in any discomfort or distress.  She's certainly a humping maniac, and is very preoccupied with her own scent.  I'll keep any eye on her.