Viral Urinary Tract Infection
Viral-induced disease in humans is increasingly recognized, especially of the upper urinary tract. However, it can be difficult to determine cause-and-effect relationships because viral-induced disease may occur in the absence of detectable replicating virus. Several viruses have been implicated in canine and feline disease .
Can Utis Be Prevented
While not a cure for UTIs, providing more water for your dog can lessen the chance of this infection from starting. Be sure your dog always has plenty of fresh, clean waterchange the bowl when you see globs of drool or food floating around. Let your dog outside more often if possibledont let him hold it for hours and hours. This can prevent an accident from happening in your home as well! You can also give your dog probiotic supplements to encourage the growth of healthy bacteria. Last, make sure the area around your dogs urinary opening is clean of any debris, scratches, etc. Most pet stores sell antibacterial wipes, which can be used to clean this area.
Can I Give My Dog Cranberry Juice
We have heard time and time again that cranberry juice can help get rid of a UTI for humans. But what about dogs? Is cranberry juice for a dog UTI safe? We recommend speaking to your dogs vet about this. Each dog is unique, and what works for one may be dangerous for another. We strongly urge you to speak with your dogs vet before administering any type of treatment.
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Dogs That Are Prone To Utis
Any dog breed can develop a urinary tract infection, but female dogs develop UTIs more commonly than male dogs.
Male dogs have longer urethras, requiring the bacteria to travel farther to invade the bladder. Picture the bacteria getting tired on their long trek and either giving up on their journey or dying before they make it to their destination.
Dog breeds that are prone to bladder stones are more prone to UTIs in generalespecially chronic, recurrent UTIs. This is due to the stones rolling around in a dogs bladder and breaking down its defense mechanisms, causing inflammation.
Breeds that are predisposed to chronic UTIs secondary to bladder stones include:
Caution Flag #: Bailey Was Taking Prednisone
Second, Bailey had been prescribed prednisone, which decreased her ability to fight infection. Taking prednisone was another caution flag in her predisposition to develop a urinary tract infection.
Why? One of the side effects of prednisone is that it decreases the bodys immune system. So while the prednisone and acupuncture significantly improved Baileys mobility, her chances of developing an infection were higher than that of the average dog.
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Dog Uti Prevention: At
There is no tried and true method for preventing UTIs in dogs, but there are some things you can do at home to help avoid them. For instance:
An annual check-up is also important to help your dog stay healthy and avoid issues like UTIs.
The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
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What Is A Uti In Dogs
The letters UTI in UTI in dogs stand for urinary tract infection. Your dogs urinary tract consists of four components, two of whichthe kidneys and the bladder more commonly become infected.
A bladder infection is called cystitis and a kidney infection is called pyelonephritis. But often they get lumped together under the term UTI.
First, lets get an overview of the urinary system so you can picture how all the parts fit together. The paired kidneys continuously filter your dogs blood to produce urine. . This urine constantly drips down a narrow tube called a ureter, which is attached at one end to the kidney.
The other end of the ureter attaches to the bladder. As the ureter dumps urine into the bladder, the bladder begins to fill up and stretch, much like a balloon. The bladder stores the urine until your dog urinates. At that time, the urine exits the bladder via the urethra and is deposited on the ground.
That is the urinary tract in a nutshell. Regardless of how familiar with urinary tract anatomy you were prior to reading this, you probably already have some idea of what a urinary tract infection is like .
But did you know that urinary tract infections in dogs can be occult? Not occult as in wizardry or voodoo. Occult disease in medicine means that the condition occurs without obvious signs or symptoms. I suspect that there are many dogs, especially females, running around the world with undiagnosed UTIs.
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Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs
Dog UTI symptoms result from inflammation and pain due to bacteria invading the bladder wall.
Signs of a UTI in dogs may include:
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Inappropriate urination
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Frequent urination
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Straining to urinate with only a small amount of urine production
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Blood in the urine
In more severe cases, where the infection moves into a dogs kidneys, you may see:
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Lethargy
Are Some Dogs Predisposed To Utis
Older female dogs, and dogs with diabetes mellitus , more commonly develop UTIs than the general population. Dogs who have bladder stones are also more prone to recurrent UTIs. This highlights the importance of getting a complete diagnosis whenever there is evidence of disease in the urinary tract. Bladder stones must be removed or dissolved in order to restore bladder health.
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Prevention Of Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs
There are basically three ways to prevent not just urinary tract infections but all kinds of infections:
- A proper diet is very important: certain foods are better suited to its age, such as feed without flour, sweeteners or cheap junk food.
- Both feed and water should be served in clean bowls. The water must be changed every day, but in the summer two or three times a day.
- Dogs need to pee often. If it walks around all day trapped in the house without being able to pee, it can also get an infection.
In short, dogs need special care to stay healthy, especially when they reach a certain age, when they start to get sicker. Urinary tract infections in dogs can be easily cured if detected quickly.
Common Symptoms Of Bladder Infection In Dogs
Pain, difficulties urinating, blood in urine, straining to urinate and urinating very small amounts but frequently are all common signs that your dog may be suffering from a bladder infection. Other indications of bladder infections or urinary tract infections include:
- Straining to urinate
- Increased thirst
- Lack of energy
If your dog is showing any of the symptoms above it’s time to head to your vet. Bladder infections and urinary tract infections are often painful for dogs. That said, when diagnosed and treated early these infections can often be cleared up quickly and easily so the sooner you can get your pup to the vet the better.
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What Are Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs
Urinary tract infections in dogs are usually caused by bacteria in the urine. There are lower and upper UTIs, but lower UTIs are more common. Lower UTIs affect the bladder and/or, in male dogs, the prostate. Upper UTIs affect the kidneys and/or ureters .
UTIs in dogs are considered either acute or chronic. Acute UTIs usually occur infrequently and are easy to treat with antibiotics and pain medications. Chronic UTIs are defined as three or more episodes of UTI in a year, or two or more episodes of UTI within a six-month period.
A UTI is also considered chronic if it cannot be fully cleared with antibiotic therapy. Chronic UTIs can be frustrating, and though they are often treated and cleared, they tend to return.
Why Does My Dog Keep Getting Utis
Unfortunately, some dogs are more prone to recurrent UTIs. This could be due to an underlying health condition, like diabetes, bladder stones, or a weakened immune system. In some female dogs, chronic UTIs can occur if there are excessive skin folds around the vulva or vagina. These folds can trap moisture, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
If your dog has had several UTIs in close succession, it could be that the infection never totally cleared up. Relapse UTIs usually occur because the infection didnt respond to the antibiotic . Signs of a relapse infection can take anywhere from a week to a month or longer to appear.
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Veterinary Care Of Urinary Tract Infection In Dogs
If you suspect a urinary tract infection in your dog, a veterinarian should be your first point of contact.
A professional will be able to determine if its really a UTI thats occurring or not and thus be able to take the appropriate steps to treat and healing the issue.
During the initial appointment, your vet will request a sample of the dog’s urine sent out for lab results, usually available within a day or two.
During testing, the staff is looking for culture levels to indicate how severe the urinary infection is.
High concentrations may indicate pyelonephritis, otherwise known as a kidney infection in dogs.
Whether the result , the urine sample will help the veterinary staff determine exactly which kind of antibiotic to prescribe your ailing pup, as UTI in dogs can be caused by a variety of bacterium .
Fluoroquinolones are most commonly used to treat UTIs in people and dogs . Enrofloxacin is a type of fluoroquinolone medicine made for dogs with UTI, and its general approved dosage is from 5 to 20 mg/kg PO q24h .
Veterinarians prescribe antibiotics that will help flood urine with antimicrobials, which will act as a flushing agent, ridding the dog’s body of infection whenever the dog pees . Due to this, its likely the medication will make your dog urinate regularly.
The treatment is likely to last from 7 to 14 days .
Some pet owners may be familiar with the signs of urinary tract infection in dogs and think they can treat it themselves, skipping a bill from the vet.
Pet Insurance Can Help You And Your Pup
If youd rather leave UTI treatment to the experts especially if youre worried about your dog developing a bladder or urinary tract ailment, youre not alone. Bladder/urinary tract disease is one of the top 10 most vet-treated conditions for dogs,1,2 and continued treatment can hit your finances.
You may want to consider signing up for pet insurance as a proactive measure to lower your financial risk for potential health threats during your dogs lifetime. Why? Pet insurance is one of the best things you can do for your dog not only for the health of your pup, but to save you from financial trouble should an accident, illness, or pet emergency arise.
Humans have health insurance, so our furry friends should too. That way youll never have to choose between an expensive treatment and your pets suffering or even his life. Pet insurance gives you peace of mind, so you can make better and less emotional decisions in the face of a crisis.
Read about the best pet insurance providers to learn more.
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Diagnosing Uti In Puppies
While a urinary tract infection is painful and uncomfortable for your puppy, it is generally not life-threatening. However, misdiagnosis can interfere with house training and result in accidents that are beyond the puppys control.
In rare cases, a UTI may also be a sign of an underlying problem like Cushings disease in dogs, bladder stones, canine kidney failure, diabetes in dogs, or even bladder cancer. And if left untreated, a UTI can cause permanent damage to your puppys kidneys. So it is important to have a vet examine and properly diagnose you puppy.
To diagnose a UTI, your veterinarian will perform a urinalysis to check for an infection and evaluate kidney function. Further diagnostic tests such as a culture or bloodwork may also be completed in order to determine the type of infection and rule out other health concerns. Your vet may also choose to take x-rays of your puppy to see if there are any stones or abnormalities in the urinary tract or bladder.
Signs & Symptoms Of Uti In Dogs
Unlike humans who develop a UTI, dogs are often asymptomatic. But when signs of a urinary tract infection do present themselves, they may include the following:
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Excessive drinking
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Passing small amounts of urine very frequently
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Acting uncomfortable or distressed while urinating
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Lethargy
Dogs with diabetes or an endocrine/hormonal disorder dogs receiving chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drugs and dogs that are on long-term cortisone-type medications are at a higher risk for developing UTIs. In these cases, your veterinarian may recommend regular urine tests to check for signs of infection.
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Treatment Options For Dogs With Urinary Tract Infections
Treatment for UTI focuses on managing pain, giving antibiotics for bacterial UTIs. If there is an underlying cause, this must be addressed as well. Dogs with a recessed vulva often benefit from surgery which helps correct this problem. Some dogs with bladder stones can be treated by changing the diet. This helps prevent the future formation of stones in the bladder. For more information on bladder stones, click here!
Talk to your vet about other or alternative treatments such as supplements and/or acupuncture. Cranberry juice has not been proven to help dogs with UTI, but it can be offered to dogs along with their normal bowl of fresh water. Its important to note that cranberry juice or cranberry supplements are thought to improve bladder health and decrease the recurrence of UTI, but they will not cure a current bladder infection.
Make sure that your dog finishes all medications as directed by your vet. If your dog stops eating, has vomiting or diarrhea, or worsening of UTI symptoms while on medication, call your vet right away.
Follow up with your vet to recheck your dogs urine sample once the medication is finished. This will help determine if the UTI has cleared up or if your dog needs to continue treatment.
Preventing Utis In Dogs
Theres no cure for UTIs in dogs but there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of your dog getting one, as follows.
Ensure your dog always has access to plenty of fresh, clean water.
Let them outside often to relieve themselves so theyre not forced to hold urine for too long.
Keep their private regions clean. If you have a long-haired dog, it may be a good idea to keep the feathering around their rear end cut shorter as this prevents the fur from becoming soiled, thus reducing the risk of infection.
The important thing is that if you suspect your dog has a urine infection, take them to the vet straight away. UTIs in dogs can be painful and uncomfortable so its important to get them treated early so your pet can go back to being the happy and healthy dog you know and love.
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Urinary Tract Infections In Pets
Bringing pets into our families provides us with companionship, affection and love, but this relationship also requires rules for cohabitating. The first rule all dogs and cats need to understand when they live with humans is where they are allowed to do their business. When they get that one wrong, life becomes unpleasant very quickly for everyone! However, there can be situations when inappropriate urination is not a sign that your pet needs more training, but a symptom that your pet is sick.
Biology of the Urinary Tract
Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria is introduced and travels up the urethra. The most common type of UTI is called a lower urinary tract infection because the bacteria and inflammation is confined to just the urethra. Lower UTIs are the #1 reason cats are brought to the vet. However, the infection can spread up to the bladder, ureters and even the kidneys. The further up the tract that the infection goes the more serious it is.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections
- Increased urination
- Urine is dark or cloudy
- Excessive licking around the urinary opening
- Serious cases may present with fever, abdominal pain or lethargy
Urinalysis And Other Tests
Sometimes your vet will be able to analyze the urine sample at the clinic that day. The veterinary team may use an automated analyzer or a urine dipstick and manual microscopic examination of the urine to look for signs of a UTI.
If white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria are all present in the urine, this makes infection likely. The urinalysis also can look for crystals that may indicate bladder stones, check the concentration of the urine, and screen for abnormal levels of other substances such a protein or glucose.
If the clinic doesnt have the equipment for the urinalysis or other specialized tests are indicated based on the in-clinic urinalysis, your vet may send the sample to a diagnostic lab. The lab can analyze the sample and also perform a culture and sensitivity test. The urine culture reveals which bacteria are growing in the urine and the sensitivity test indicates which antibiotics are the most likely to be effective against that bacteria.
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