A dog bladder infection or urinary tract infection or acute cystitis takes place when the urinary tract is infected by bacteria which reproduce without any control. Dogs can be infected by bladder infection quite quickly. Diagnosing a dog bladder infection is also quite easy. You only need to look out for some tell tale signs similar to those in humans.
Common Symptoms in Diagnosing a Dog Bladder Infection
The most common symptom that most dogs would exhibit when suffering from a bladder infection would be suddenly urinating in inappropriate areas or straining while urinating. Some dogs will have dribbling urine while some urinate more frequently and in quantities less than usual. Some dogs experience an unexplained increase in liquid intake or thirst. In such situations, you will also find that the urine is bloody or cloudy and foul smelling.
Some dogs while suffering from bladder infection may also experience lack of energy and loss of appetite. If the condition is undiagnosed and becomes severe, the dog may have vomiting and fever and will be constantly licking her genital area. During bladder infection the dog’s lower stomach area becomes tender and sore and your dog may react aggressively when you touch his belly. Fortunately bladder infections doe not call for emergency situations, however early diagnosis and treatment will reliever your dog of undue discomfort and pain.
Diagnosing a Dog Bladder Infection by the Vet
The procedure is fairly simple. The vet will examine your dog’s bladder for abnormality like extreme tenderness or firmness. He will also advise urine test to check for bacterial presence, pH level abnormality and white blood cell presence. In the instance that your dog has suffered from bladder infection more than once, he may advise X-ray or ultrasound to check for presence of stones in the bladder.
The incidence of bladder infection may be increased in female dogs as bacteria would tend to accumulate in her vaginal region from where it moves to the urethra and infects her urinary tract. Also the urethra is smaller in length in female dogs making it that much easier for the bacteria to reach the tract. Male dogs will have bacteria in prostrate glands, moving to the urethra (which is longer) and then on to the bladder.
Precaution and Treatment
You can prevent a bladder infection in your dog by maintaining cleanliness around the dog’s resting place. Give your dog sufficient clean water to drink and take her out frequently to urinate. Also bathe and clean her at regular intervals to minimize the incidence of infection.
Treatment of bladder infection would include a course of antibiotics, especially for first timers. The treatment would last 10 to 14 days depending on the severity. If the occurrence is frequent, low doses of antibiotics over a period of six months may be administered. The antibiotics should normally be given at bedtime so that it stays for longer in the body and gets a better chance to fight the infection.
Undiagnosed and untreated bladder infections may lead to septicemia or kidney failure.