What is canine urinary tract infection? This is when a bacterial infection affects any part of the urinary tract in dogs.
Urine does contain many elements in it, including fluids, salts and waste.
However, it is not supposed to contain bacteria.
Hence, when bacteria get into the bladder or kidneys it multiplies and causes a canine urinary tract infection.
This is a common condition in dogs.
Infection can start in a single location and then set off inflammation all over the place, to the kidneys, to the ureters, the bladder, the urethra and the prostate gland.
This can be a dangerous condition for pets, so if you notice any symptoms, immediate action should be taken.
What are some of the symptoms that could indicate canine urinary tract infection? If you sense the dog is in pain or has difficulty in urinating then this would be a telling sign.
Increased urination, in frequency or volume, should alert you to the possibility, not to mention excessive thirst in the pet.
Additionally, you might have to examine the urine to check for pus, blood or crystals.
It should be noted that some of these symptoms might be indicative of other serious problems; this is why it is important to seek the diagnosis of a veterinarian.
When you bring in your dog for diagnosis, the vet will be making a differential diagnosis so as to determine the specific cause.
You will be asked for details on the dog's history, including breed, age, eating habits and symptoms.
Be prepared to answer questions on its urination, appearance and volume, as well as other details on eating and drinking habits.
The veterinarian will then examine all parts of the dog including bladder, genitalia and rectal cavity.
He or she may also administer a neurological exam if it is deemed necessary.
What are some common treatments for dog urinary tract infection? Primor tablets are a common prescription, as this medication is made up of sulfonamides and can prove beneficial to eliminating infection.
However, it can also produce some heavy side effects including polyarthritis, urticaria, hemolytic anemia, polydipsia, facial swelling, seizure and even neurological disorders.
For this reason a veterinarian may ask if your dog has had any history with marked liver damage, blood dyscrasias or any sensitivity to sulfonamide.
Other commonly prescribed medications include NAXCEL (another drug that could cause an allergic reaction) and Zeniquin, which is only believed to be a risk to immature dogs in a rapid growth phase, or dogs that are sensitive to fluoroquinolones.
The potential side effects are less severe than with the other drugs, since Zeniquin usually only results in lethargy, loss of appetite and diarrhea.
Prevention of Dog Urinary Tract Infection What can you do to prevent dog urinary tract infection from ever developing? For starters, always make sure that your pet has plenty of clean and fresh water.
Many homeowners are more than willing to let a pet drink out of their own personal filtered water resource, eliminating the need for the pet to drink from unclean sources like a water hose, lake or toilet.
Another point to remember is that the longer urine remains in the bladder, the more chance the bacteria will have to multiply and cause infection.
Therefore, you should let your pet out of the house every few hours and definitely whenever it whines.
It will also help to take your dog on a walk one or two times a day, as this actually increases the frequency of urination and thus reduces the risk of infection.