Dog Bladder Infection

The dog bladder infection is more commonly known as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or acute cystitis. The infection is caused by bacteria in the urinary tract and may be eliminated with antibiotics. If left untreated UTI may evolve and cause complications such as kidney disease.

Symptoms of Dog Bladder Infection

A dog affected by a bladder infection may show symptoms, but in some cases the symptoms may be subtle. You should watch your dog and pay special attention to his urination habits and the color of the urine. Typically, dogs with bladder infections will urinate more frequently, in smaller amounts; they will also drink more water and the urine may be pink or orange, as it may contain blood. The urine may also be foul smelling and unclear, containing a lot of impurities. UTI may be painful, so the dog will strain to urinate or may eliminate indoors, even if trained to urinate only outside.

  • Other symptoms of bladder infection include:
  • Lack of appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Licking of genitals
  • Vomiting (less common)
  • Fever

The lower part of the abdominal area is tender to the touch and the dog may become aggressive when you touch him.

Bladder Infection Diagnosis

The diagnosis of the dog bladder infection may be made through getting a urine sample, which will be analyzed. The vet will establish if the urine contains blood, bacteria, white blood cells and other indicators of an infection. The vet may also check the bladder, which should be inflamed if an infection is present. If the infection is chronic, the vet will perform an x-ray and ultrasounds to check if bladder stones are present. Frequent urinary infections make the urine alkaline, which can lead to the formation of kidney stones or other kidney problems.

Bladder Infection Treatment

If the bladder infection is acute, a simple cure of antibiotics (for 10 to 14 days) will clear the infection. The vet will establish the most suitable antibiotics, judging by the bacteria found in the urine. If the bladder infection is more serious, the vet will prescribe a lengthier medication cure. The dog should get a lot of fresh water, which can flush out the bacteria and help clearing the infection.

Complications of UTI

Left untreated, a urinary tract infection can cause kidney disease or even kidney failure. Septicemia may also occur if the bacteria get in the blood flow and this will lead to organ infection and severe abscesses.

Prevention of Bladder Infections

Bladder infections in dogs may be prevented by keeping the dog clean, thus not allowing the bacteria to travel from the genital area to the urethra. Also, the dog requires fresh water; contaminated water or water that is not fresh may accumulate bacteria and these can lead to a bladder infection. Taking the dog out when he needs to urinate is essential; the urine shouldn’t be kept in the bladder for too long.

 

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