Urine Problems

Question
QUESTION: My 1yr old Boxer, Charlie has urination problems.  He seems to only dribble or squirt a small amount of urine at a time and takes a very long time after several attempts to empty his bladder.  The first time I took him to the vet they put him on antibiotics as a precaution.  He was fine within a week.  The second time it occurred, about 3-4 months later, we did X-rays and blood and urine tests and found no signs of infections or stones causing the problem.  This problem lasted about 3 -4 days and he was back to peeing normally.  He is now again doing this after about 3 months.  I don't know what to do.  He doesn't appear to be in any pain, but as a man, i can only imagine what he is going through.  Please, do you have any idea what could be causing this?
~Concerned Dad of a great Boxer

ANSWER: Marking territory resembles the dribble and/or squirting, That is common.

However, changing to a normal urination without any "marking" is odd. It should or could be both "marking" then normal urination combo.

If concerned, try a different vet, or ask your current vet as to why this seems to be ongoing in cycles. Such as: marking territory because of smelling a female in heat, etc.

This is assuming he is not neutered. A male can smell a female in heat up to three (3) miles away and cause them to mark territory. It could be that when he goes through these episodes, it is due to a female he smells.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I know the difference between marking and peeing.  I'm talking about when he goes to pee for the 1st time in the morning, it comes out in spurts or dribbles, when he is clearly trying to get it all out.  Thanks for the advice about asking my vet.  She doesn't seem to know the problem either.  Thanks anyway.

Answer
If it is just happening for his first urination in the mornings, it might be due to a full bladder and is spasmatic.

Sometimes, when a bladder is full for long periods (during the night, etc.) it will have spasms so squirt and dribble before he gets control of the flow.

Also, crystals in urine can clog and cause problems.