How to Treat a UTI in Dogs
Can dogs get Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)?
Yes. Much like humans, dogs can develop urinary tract infections that can be debilitating, painful, and irritating. Your urinary tract is the part of the body that moderates waste removal from the body, and consists of the bladder, urethra, kidneys, and ureters. A urinary tract infection, often shortened to UTI, is an infection that develops in this system. There are many different causes of UTIs, and they are more common in certain species and genders. In this article, we will go in-depth on everything to do with urinary tract infections in dogs, and how to treat them correctly. We will discuss symptoms, prevention, and treatments, as well as the most common causes and how you can get a clear diagnosis.
How can I tell if my dog has urinary tract problems?
When a human feels that they may have developed a UTI, they can simply refer themselves to a doctor who will be able to diagnose them, unfortunately, dogs do not have this capability, and it is down to owners to spot for themselves the potential symptoms. Usually, you can tell when your dog is not acting themselves, and this is exactly the case when they develop a UTI. There are some tell-tale signs that your dog is experiencing discomfort that would warrant a conversation with a vet. Some potential signs of a dog UTI include:
Cloudy urine
Blood in urine
Pain during urination
Incontinence issues
Highly frequent urination
Licking at urinary opening
Inappetant (not wanting to eat meals)
You can also use a test to check for potential urinary tract infections. The Hygiecatch is perfect for not only collecting a urine sample to give to your vet, but the product also comes with a urine test that can provide you with quick and accurate results about whether or not your dog may have a urinary tract infection or not. Depending on the result, you can then move forward with potential treatments for UTIs.
How can I prevent a dog UTI?
When you are thinking about UTIs in dogs, it’s important to compare how you would treat a UTI. Prevention is much better than treatment, so knowing how to keep your dog safe and clear of any UTIs is imperative. Thankfully, there are ways that you can keep your dog healthy and safe from potentially contracting a urinary tract infection.
One of the best ways of doing this is by ensuring they are provided with clean, fresh water every day. You should also ensure that your dog is correctly groomed around their urinary opening. This will prevent any harmful bacteria from entering their system and potentially causing an infection. You should also make sure your dog is going to the toilet whenever they need to and that they are not holding in their urine for prolonged periods of time.
How to treat UTIs in dogs?
It is important to note that not all urinary tract infections are the same and that treatment will vary depending on what your dog is suffering with. Usually, a UTI will be treated with a course of antibiotics, ranging from around 5 to 14 days. As with human medication, you should always ensure that the full course of antibiotics is taken by your dog to make sure that the infection has fully cleared, even if there is a major improvement over just a couple of days.
If you stop giving your dog their medication before the course is over, the infection may return very quickly. Following the course of antibiotics, your vet may then ask for a urine sample in a further seven days' time to ensure that the infection has not returned.
What causes lower urinary tract infections in dogs?
Lower urinary tract infections are infections that occur in the lower half of the urinary tract. The lower half of the urinary tract is where the bladder and the urethra are located, as well as the prostate in males. Lower urinary tract infections are commonplace in dogs as they can commonly be caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract via the urinary opening.
How are lower urinary tract infections diagnosed in dogs?
In order to correctly diagnose a urinary tract infection, you must have a consultation with a vet. Once you have identified that your dog may be struggling with symptoms of a UTI, you can then consult your vet who will advise you of the next steps and treatment. Vets can perform a urinalysis from a urine sample, which can be easily collected and quickly tested using Hygiecatch. The urinalysis will provide the vet with an insight into what is going on
What can happen if a dog’s lower urinary tract problems are left untreated?
If you do not spot the symptoms of a urinary tract infection, or if your dog is not showing any signs of being in discomfort, then UTIs can go untreated. An untreated urinary tract infection can cause serious issues in dogs. Depending on the infection, some UTIs can cause blockages inside of the urethra of a dog, this leads to a build-up of waste which could potentially become toxic. It is important to look for signs that your dog is not quite themselves, or if their habits have changed, for example, if they are going to the toilet more or less.
What should I do if I think my dog has lower urinary tract problems?
If you believe that your dog is showing signs of a urinary tract infection then you should consult with a vet. A vet at PocketVet is ideal as you can contact them right from the comfort of your own home. You can also try to collect a urine sample by using Hygiecatch, this will also give you the option to test your pet's urine yourself, giving both you and your vet some information required to determine any further necessary treatment.
Speak to a vet at PocketVet today for expert, tailored advice.
Sources
https://www.animaltrust.org.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-dogs/
https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/health-care/dog-conditions/dog-uti
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/lower-urinary-tract-problems-infections-dogs
