Pet First-Aid Basics: Essential Tips for Every Pet Parent
From performing CPR to handling emergencies like choking or poisoning, understanding pet first aid is essential for every pet parent.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs are no fun for anyone. They’re painful for your pup and can cause a house-trained dog to have accidents around the home. It’s important to know the signs of a UTI, so you can take your dog to the veterinarian and have it treated as soon as possible.
A UTI happens when bacteria enter the urethra and results in an infection that can affect the urinary tract, bladder, and kidneys. It’s not always possible to determine the cause of a UTI in dogs, but it can be influenced by factors including:
UTIs can lead to complications, including bladder stones and kidney damage. In addition, they can cause prostatitis in male dogs. Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate gland that is more common in older dogs or those who have not been neutered. This is just one of many reasons why it’s so important to neuter your dog.
Neutering not only prevents unexpected litters of puppies, but it also has important health benefits, including protecting against UTIs, preventing testicular cancer, and helping to reduce aggression. It can also eliminate unwanted behaviors, such as mounting people or objects. Learn more about neutering.
UTIs can happen to dogs of any breed or age, but their likelihood increases as the dog gets older. Both males and females can get UTIs, but they are more common in female dogs. This is because they have a wider and shorter urethra, making it easier for troublesome bacteria to set in.
Like bladder infections in people, UTIs in dogs can be very painful. If your dog has a UTI, you might notice a number of signs, including:
Other signs that your dog has a UTI can include vomiting, strong-smelling urine, and a reduced appetite.
If you are the parent of a new puppy, you may have many questions, such as
It can be more difficult to tell if puppies have a UTI since they tend to urinate more frequently than older dogs. Bathroom accidents due to a UTI can also be mistaken for potty training mistakes. If your puppy is fairly house-trained and still peeing all over the house, it’s a good idea to bring them to the veterinarian to rule out a UTI.
Did you recently adopt a puppy? Get tips on house training and crate training for your new little bundle of fur.
If you suspect that your dog has a UTI, it’s best to get to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Early detection is vital since it can help avoid complications, like kidney damage. Plus, UTIs can be very painful, and you don’t want your dog to suffer needlessly.
To diagnosis a UTI, your veterinarian will examine your dog and perform a urinalysis to check for infection and evaluate kidney function. Further diagnostic tests, such as a culture and blood work, may also be conducted to determine the type of infection and rule out other health issues. In addition, X-rays may be taken to see if there are stones or abnormalities in the urinary tract or bladder.
Treatment will depend on your dog’s specific situation but will include antibiotics if there is a bacterial infection. Your veterinarian may also recommend fluid therapy to flush out the urinary tract and kidneys and pain medication if needed. If your dog has bladder stones, surgery may be required to remove them.
If your dog needs to take antibiotics, be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully and don’t stop the antibiotics – even if your dog appears to be feeling better. The UTI could recur if the treatment is not completed properly.
There is no tried and true method for preventing UTIs in dogs, but there are some things you can do at home to help avoid them. For instance:
An annual check-up is also important to help your dog stay healthy and avoid issues like UTIs.
The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.