It may be scary when you first hear that your beloved dog has urinary tract infection. What is this condition and is it treatable? Dog urinary tract infection involves a bacterial infection in the urinary tract of a canine. Ordinarily, urine doesn't contain bacteria, just fluids, salts and waste products. Hence, the appearance of bacteria is unnatural and in a short period of time, bacteria in the urinary tract will multiply, eventually causing a urinary tract infection.
Statistically speaking, this is more common in female dogs than male dogs because they have a smaller urethra, which could cause bacteria to accumulate faster. For female dogs, the vaginal area is at risk, while for male dogs it is the prostate area that is at risk. When bacteria are transferred from the urethra and into the urinary tract this causes a bacterial infection. Once a bacterial infection starts in one area of the tract, it can spread and cause inflammation throughout the rest of the body.
Is dog urinary tract infection harmful? Yes, though a suspected case may not be cause for panic. A canine urinary tract infection may not be harmful at all, at least in its early stages. There is a possibility that the infection could resolve naturally without any veterinarian attention. In fact, in most dogs you will never even notice any symptoms right away. However, what you do need to worry about is long-term dog urinary tract infection, which does require professional attention. As the infection continues untreated, it will become more severe and may travel to other organs, causing the dog to become very sick.
Even if your dog doesn't have a severe case of UTI, it is still important to take it to the veterinarian. Carefully observe the dog's behavior after the first appearance of symptoms. If you can tell that the dog has difficulty in urinating or is in pain, then take note of this. If the dog urinates more in frequency or volume or is excessively thirsty, then this increases the chance of UTI. Most veterinarians will ask you analyze the dog's urine for any unusual signs, including blood, crystals or pus. The veterinarian will first try to establish if something is wrong or out of the ordinary and then figure if the symptoms really point to UTI or possibly another condition that is causing urinary tract problems.
Treatment for Dog Urinary Tract Infection
The veterinarian will want details on the dog's history and eating habits. After a full examination the vet will be able to tell if UTI is the problem, along with any other related disorders. After the initial diagnosis the vet may have some recommendations for you. He may prescribe medication such as Primor tablets, NAXCEL or Zeniquin. After curing the initial infection, the pet doctor might also give you some advice for the prevention of future canine urinary tract infection.
Dog owners are advised to provide plenty of clean water for their pets. This will mean eliminating sources of unclean water or replacing dishwater before it gets stagnant. They might also be advised to let their pet out of the house a few times a day so that it doesn't retain urine longer than it has to, since that can lead to infection. You could even take your dog for a walk 1-2 times a day, since this will increase the frequency of urination and reduces the risk of UTI.
Remember that the best "cure" for dog urinary tract infection is prevention. Make sure your dog is well taken care of for better health. For more information on diagnosing and treating canine urinary tract infection visit http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com
My name is Einar Eskeland. I am a norwegian medical doctor and homoeopath. I promote several high quality sources of knowledge and products for self improvement, health, evolution and growth as a part of my practice as a doctor, and as a help for my patients in their struggle to regain health and balance. |
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