Puppies are often susceptible to a bladder infection that’s commonly seen in adult pets. Since puppies tend to urinate frequently, the symptoms of bladder infection often go unnoticed.
In addition, young pets tend to urinate in and around the house, before they’re house trained. Although this can be corrected after repeated training, puppies that urinate around the house even after being trained, need to be checked by the vet to rule out the possibility of urinary tract disease.
Urinary Tract Disease and Bladder Infection
Both male and female pets are at risk of contracting urinary tract infections when they come in contact with bacteria in the environment. Apart from this, some pets fail to drink sufficient amount of water every day and this gives rise to urinary tract infections since the urine becomes highly concentrated. The acidity of the urine also changes as young puppies mature.
All these factors increase the pet’s risk of developing urinary tract disease. When these infections spread to the bladder, pets are diagnosed with bladder infections. If the infection isn’t diagnosed and treated on time, it could spread to the kidney and cause kidney disease and death. As a pet owner, you need to monitor newly acquired puppies and seek medical help if your puppy exhibits any symptoms of bladder infection.
Symptoms of Bladder Infections in Puppies
- Frequent urination in unusual places
- Blood in the urine
- Foul smelling urine
- Puppy strains to urinate
- Pet cries while urinating
- Listlessness
- Pet experiences pain when the abdomen in touched
Diagnosis of Bladder Infections in Puppies
The vet will perform a thorough physical exam and conduct a few tests to confirm the diagnosis. A sample of the pet’s urine will be sent for urine analysis and additional blood tests will be performed if required. The vet will also palpate the puppy’s abdomen to check for irregularities such as abdominal swelling. If the vet suspects urinary blockage, x-rays and ultrasounds will also be performed.
After the diagnosis is confirmed, the vet will prescribe medication to treat mild cases of bladder infection. If the bladder infection is very severe, the puppy might require hospitalization and supportive care.
Treatment of Bladder Infection in Puppies
Most cases of bladder infection are treated with antibiotic medication. Theses medicines are prescribed drugs that need to be administered according to vet instructions. The dog will require plenty of water and a special diet to maintain the acidity level of the urine. If your pet experiences side effects after taking antibiotic medication, you need to contact your vet at the earliest. Although the symptoms of bladder infection subside after medication is prescribed, pets that show signs of vomiting, diarrhea or fever require immediate medical care.
You should make sure that you administer prescribed medication on time and avoid skipping doses. The puppy should be kept in hygienic surroundings and away from other pets. To prevent bladder infections from recurring you also need to make sure that your pet drinks plenty of water every day and doesn’t consume large quantities of food that promotes the formation of bladder or kidney stones.