The canine urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. A canine UTI, or urinary tract infection, is any bacterial infection of one or more of these portions of the urinary tract. UTIs may cause your dog urinary problems and other symptoms, and may develop into serious conditions if left untreated. Although dog prostate cancer is not a UTI, frequent infections of the urinary tract do predispose your pet to prostate conditions later in life. Because canine UTIs are caused by bacterial infections, one of the most common treatments for these conditions is antimicrobial therapy. Continue reading for more information on the diagnosis and treatment of canine urinary tract infections.
Recognizing when Your Pet Has a UTI
The first step toward treating your pet's UTI is recognizing the symptoms of the condition. UTI is a common health concern in dogs of all ages and genders, although some breeds may be more likely to suffer from UTI than others. The most common symptoms of canine UTI include the following:
- Frequent urination
- Unusually dark urine color
- Particularly foul-smelling urine
- Pain while urinating
If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog for a veterinary examination as soon as possible. In addition to being very painful, urinary tract infections may spread to other organs and become more serious if you do not act quickly.
A full diagnosis can be made with a palpation of the bladder and a urinalysis. Your veterinarian may conduct these exams if he suspects that your dog may have UTI-like symptoms that are caused by another underlying disease. Most often, however, the symptoms listed above are sufficient to indicate an infection of one part of your dog's urinary tract.
Treating a Canine UTI
Having identified your dog's urinary tract infection, you may begin a treatment procedure. Because infections of the urinary tract are caused by the growth of harmful bacterial, antimicrobial drugs are effective at eliminating them. Your veterinarian will prescribe a high-concentration antimicrobial in order to curb the growth and spreading of the bacteria that have caused the infection. This will serve to prevent the infection from spreading to other organs or body parts, and also to control and reduce the infection at the primary site.
Antimicrobial drugs are typically administered orally. The entire run of the drug must be completed in order to fully eliminate the bacterial infection. Other antibiotics and pain relievers may be helpful in reducing the symptoms and pain that your dog experiences. It is important to administer the full dose of these drugs to your dog, even if his symptoms and infection appear to dissipate midway through the treatment regimen.
UTIs are painful and potentially serious health conditions, but they are easily treated upon successful detection and diagnosis. If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from a UTI, take him to your vet for an immediate examination.