Saturday, October 25, 2008

Discover the Dangers of Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

By Tina Matsunaga

I do not know a thing about you, but I will bet you never thought about the urinary health of your puppy when you first brought her home. In fact, unless you have already had to deal with an infection, you may not even think it is important today. Unfortunately, urinary problems in dogs are quite common. Therefore, it behooves every canine lover to discover the danger of urinary tract infections in dogs, and do everything possible to prevent canine companions from getting sick in the first place.

Unfortunately, a urinary tract infection in dogs can quickly become something more sinister. It can progress into the bladder, kidneys, prostrate and other organs adversely affecting the health of your dog in so many ways. In addition, while the signs may point to an infection, the same symptoms can also be signs of other health challenges. So it is extremely important to seek the help of a vet, to make sure your pooch receives the right treatment.

To begin, the vet is liable to ask a myriad of questions, to determine whether it is a classic example of urinary tract infections in dogs, or if further testing is necessary. For instance:

  • What is the breed?
  • How old is the dog?
  • How frequently does she urinate?
  • Does she go just a little or a lot?
  • Does the urine look or smell different?
  • Does the dog drink more than usual?
  • Has the dog broken house-training?
  • When did you first notice something was wrong?
  • Has she ever been treated for urinary tract infections in dogs before?
  • What has she been eating?

Although the answers may seem inconsequential to you, the vet can tell a lot simply from the information you provide. Along with a physical exam, partly to determine if your dog is in pain, a urine sample will be tested to determine if there is:

  • Pus in the urine

  • Blood in the urine

  • Crystals in the urine

Even if the urine looks normal to you, a microscope can detect the presence of pus, blood, or crystals, which are all signs of urinary tract infections in dogs.

After a diagnosis has been made, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for you to give to your canine pal, until it is completely gone. Although your furry friend will likely feel better in a day or two, you must complete the medicine, to make sure all the infection has been killed and will not crop up later with a vengeance.

Also, before you leave the office, the vet will probably explain the importance of taking the proper steps to make sure your faithful companion does not fall victim to more urinary tract infections in dogs in the future. With 3 simple changes in routine, pets and their people will be much happier. So, make sure to:

  • Provide clean, fresh water

  • Ample potty breaks

  • Walks

With these 3 easy rules to follow each day, you will help your pet avoid an infection in the future. Simply do not make your dog drink day old water that has been busy collecting crumbs and germs. Then, let you dog outside more frequently, so she has a chance to empty her bladder before germs can grow. Lastly, go for walks. Not only is it good quality time together, but it is a healthy practice for both of you. While your canine pal is staving off urinary tract infections in dogs by emptying her bladder several times along the way, you are promoting the health benefits of exercise.

In conclusion, you need to discover the dangers of urinary tract infections in dogs if your dog has been treated for the problem before, if you want to prevent your pooch from getting an infection in the first place, and if you are trying to decide whether to add a canine companion to your household. Knowledge is the power to diffuse some dangers of illness, so you and your furry friend can live happily ever after.


Tina Matsunaga is a freelance writer for home-based businesses, Internet marketers, and professionals around the world. She enjoys working at home while raising 2 children. She holds a BA in English and secondary education from Regis University.

For more information regarding urinary tract infections in dogs, please contact http://www.pet-bladder-treatment.com

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