Urinary Infection In Dogs: Causes And Treatment
The urinary tract infection in dogs is more common than we think: it causes discomfort and pain to our pets, especially in the kidneys and other areas of the urinary tract. We talk about its causes, treatments and also how you can deduce if your dog is having this bad drink.
Causes of urinary infection in dogs
Urinary tract infection in dogs can be caused by many reasons, and sometimes it can be developing without showing any visible symptoms. That is why constant veterinary check-ups will play a very important role, since it could determine if your dog has it or is about to have it.
The most common causes of urinary tract infection in dogs are the following:
- Bacterial infections
- Endocrine diseases
- Long-term drug administration
- Accumulation of stones in the urethra
- Fungal infections
- Urinary incontinence
- Trauma
- Cancer
- Prostate disease
- Spinal or other congenital abnormality
Symptoms of urine infection in dogs
The urinary tract infection in buts presents a series of symptoms that can help you diagnose if your dog suffers from it in order to go to the vet as soon as possible to apply the appropriate treatment. Even so, it may be the case that some specimens have asymptomatic infection, which will not present external signs.
Being attentive to changes in the behavior or character of our pet will be an essential step to be able to help you promptly. These are the most common signs of urinary tract infection in dogs:
- Blood in the urine
- Fever
- Urinary incontinence
- Increase in the amount or frequency of urination
- Obsessive licking on your genitals
- Strong smell of urine
- Straining when urinating
- Weightloss
- Lethargy
- Pains when pressing on the lower back
These symptoms are an alarm that something is wrong with your dog’s urinary tract. Although the most common is that it is due to an infection, there could be another greater evil, so do not delay in going quickly to the vet.
Treatment of urinary infection in dogs
The veterinarian will be the one who determines the treatment, since, as we have seen at the beginning, this infection can have different causes, and each of them will need a different treatment. The first thing the vet will do is obtain a urine sample and analyze it.
The presence of white blood cells will determine that there is an infection caused by bacteria or stones in the urinary tract. Normally, this test will be sufficient to diagnose the urinary infection and to know how to treat it, although if the dog has very intense symptoms, other tests may be carried out to determine how far the infection has spread.
Treatment will depend on the type of infection and its extent, but generally these are the most common:
- Antibiotics
- Medicines
- Changes in diet
- Increase your water intake
- Urine alkalinizers or acidifiers
- Intravenous fluid therapy
- Surgery in the most severe cases
- Treat the underlying disease. Sometimes a urinary tract infection in dogs can be caused by another disease and, treating this, the infection will disappear.
What can you do
Even if your dog has already been diagnosed with an infection and is receiving medical treatment, you can help make the process faster and easier for him. Here are some tips:
Maintain cleanliness and hygiene
This is vital, since when you suffer an infection it is much easier for dirt to affect the body and become a source of bacteria. And on the other hand, if the dog suffers an infection and you do not maintain hygiene at home, it could even spread to you.
Medicines
Remember to give the medications on time, as it will be a vital step in the treatment of urinary infection in dogs. Of course, do not give him medications that have not been prescribed by the vet, nor do you cut them off without being prescribed by the vet.
Clean water
Keep your dog’s water clean and fresh at all times, and make sure he drinks more than usual. If you see that it costs him, you can help him with a syringe. Water is essential for this type of illness, especially when it affects the kidneys.
Do not cuddle him
The infection will cause discomfort in various parts of his body, so your dog is not now for cuddles and hugs. Take it easy, he knows you want him.
Don’t worry, a urinary infection in dogs is a common thing that rarely presents complications. It is easy to treat and with these tips you can do a lot for your pet.
