Boxer: frequent urination

Question
Hi, I am fostering my sister's dog, a 6 yr old boxer. She has severe allergies to just about everything...grain, wheat, peanut butter etc. She's been on allergy shots for almost a year now and I believe we are almost finished with that. She has also been on a medicine for her thyroid since she's been on the shots. She also has a lot of anxiety...whenever we leave the house, she whines and howls at the door. She has begun to pee everywhere in our house when we are gone and when we are sleeping. We put the water bowls up when we leave and when we go to bed per our vet. We work all day but take her out twice in the morning and then when we get home about 3 times before we go to bed. She still pees. And her urine smells really fishy. The food we have her on is called "before grain". We are taking her to the vet this week but wanted to get some info before I go. I know it could be the steroids but the thyroid meds they gave us said it would help the urination.  It's still happening.  Any ideas on what could be the issue?? What tests should our vet run to find out?  Thanks.  

Answer
I'm so sorry that your girl has so many health issues- this is really an unusual case--

Thyroid problems and meds needs to be re-evaluated and adjusted every year just as in humans. I also recommend Pala-Tech Chewables for her thyroid medicine-- it taste like a treat and causes no order--

Which leads me to her urine smelling fishy--  the "fishy" smell could be due to decomposition of proteins and the release of amines... ammonia and similar chemicals containing nitrogen and carbon.  (Mammal) Urine contains a substance called urea (and small amounts of uric acid) both of which are organic substances containing nitrogen. Urea on its own, basically smells like urine but as it decomposes it may smell fishy.  Or it could be medications that cause it- but-- PLEASE ask the vet about that. (I don't know what exact thyroid meds and shots she's had)...

The dog food must have been recommended by the vet-- which is good- now ask him if you can add other dog foods into her diet- and vitamin and mineral supplements-- (these deficiencies can cause urinary problems, tiredness, sleeplessness, anemia, etc... ) I believe she needs a variety and if there are additional brands that are safe for her with her allergies- then you can mix them, changing them up, giving her a variety-- even if its the same brand but dry, and wet canned, and mixed both. Are there homemade recipes you can cook for her that she is not allergic to? Chicken? (is she allergic to rice?) if not- chicken and rice- lamb and rice-- 'Just suggestions---

I worry about her vitamins and minerals- which a lack of can lower her immune system and cause her to have susceptibilities  to urinary infections- i.e. the bacteria that smells "fishy" and other infections and disease.

Her peeing in the house is up to par with a bladder/urinary infection as it is with people-- the urge to pee all the time, If the urine amounts (puddles) smaller than a normal dog indicating the urge to pee?

Has she been skin tested for all these things she is "allergic" to?  

Right now, if she has a urinary infection, she needs all the water she can get. Even at night- you cannot stop the inside peeing with an infection, so give her the water to flush her kidneys and bladder- and get her to the vet for it to be checked and treated- a good antibiotic designed for the urinary tract is warranted.

Please let me know what the vet discovered and about her checkup-- food, urinary infection, all. Good luck to you and to that Boxer girl! (bless her heart!)
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Follow up:

1) urine test (for infection and kidney problems too)
2) another thyroid test; taking blood sample from her artery in her neck checking for thyroid level to adjust medicines)
3) ask about thyroid medicine: Pala-Tech Chewables (in recommended dosage for her condition-- they are CHEAP and GREAT!)
4) General wellness checkup
5) hip check, heart and lung check
6) don't forget to get her nails cut (front shorter and cut back to "scratch" size)