Dog urinary tract infection is one of the most common problems suffered by dogs. This can be caused by a number of reasons.
Dog urinary tract infection is a common disorder among canine pets. According to statistics, at least 14% of dogs all over the world can suffer from this disorder. More prominent in female dogs than in male dogs, dog UTI can cause a lot of pain to the animal. If not treated properly and immediately, it may even put the life of the pet at risk. To prevent dogs from suffering from this disorder, it may help if pet owners know the symptoms and causes of dog urinary tract infection.
What is Dog Urinary Tract Infection?
Dog urinary tract infection is a disease or infection affecting any part of the urinary tract of dogs. This is most common in female dogs because they have a shorter urethra. Having a shorter urethra means they are more prone to accumulating bacteria and other microorganisms in their system that may put them at risk against infection.
Causes of Dog Urinary Tract Infection
Dog urinary tract infection is mainly caused by bacteria. The bacteria that can be blamed for this type of problem in dogs come in several types. These include klebsiella, pseudomonas, proteus mirabilis, esterococcus, coagulase positive straphyloccocus, and escherichia coli bacteria. Bacteria may accumulate in the dog’s urinary system through water and food intake as well as lack of hygiene. It is for this reason that pet owners should always make sure that the water and food they are giving their pets are free from contamination of any sort. They must also ensure that their pets are always clean. The causes of dog urinary tract infection can be determined through laboratory tests which are often performed by veterinarians.
Symptoms of Dog Urinary Tract Infection
The symptoms of dog urinary tract infection can be easily determined by the pet owner if he or she knows what to look for. The symptoms can vary in every canine pet but they mostly include the following:
- pain during urination
- bloody urine
- foul-smelling urine
- straining to urinate
- urinating in the most inappropriate places in the house
- incontinence
- loss of appetite
- loss of weight
- lethargy
- fever
Dogs not urinating or passing only a small amount of urine is also a sign of dog UTI.
Treatment for Dog Urinary Tract Infection
The first step for treating dog urinary tract infection is diagnosis. The animal has to be taken to a veterinarian. The vet will make proper procedures to determine the culprit behind the dog’s urinary problems. Once dog UTI is ruled out, the vet may then proceed with giving the dog proper treatment. Dog UTI may be treated in several ways, the most common of which is the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are known to kill bacteria that may have caused the infection. Dog UTI can also be treated with homeopathic remedies. More serious UTI may require surgery and other forms of medical intervention.
