Detecting the symptoms of bladder infection is important to prevent other health problems.
Symptoms of Canine Bladder Infection
The symptoms of a canine bladder infection are easy to detect if you are familiar with your pet's urinating habits. However, in the early stages of the disease, your pet might not show any signs. The most frequent symptoms include:
- frequent urination; your pet is urinating several times, but the urine amounts are small
- urination in the house; the dog needs to urinate more frequently than usual and if he is not able to get outside, he will urinate in the house
- dribbling urine
- straining to urinate; urination is painful for the dog
- bloody urine, when the infection is in a later stage
- cloudy urine; it's good to monitor the color of your dog's urine to be able to detect any irregularities
- lethargy; a dog with a bladder infection is weakened and he won't have the energy to engage in different regular activities
- depression; this state is caused by the pain
- stress; often a medical condition may cause stress in dogs
- vomiting
- loss of appetite; due to the pain and vomiting, the dog will not be interested in food and may even lose weight
- increased thirst
- fever
- liking of genitals; a dog will instinctively lick his genitals in attempt to ease the pain caused by urination
Bladder Infection Treatment
If detected in time, the bladder infection may be treated with antibiotics and a change in diet. The infection can be treated in 10 to 14 days.
Antibiotics come with side effects; so you may want to opt for homeopathic remedies.
If there are crystals or even bladder stones, these may also be removed with a suitable diet or in more serious cases by ultrasound or surgery.
Make sure you offer your dog plenty of fresh water throughout the treatment, so that he can flush out the bacteria faster.
The bladder infection may be fatal if left untreated. The infection may move up in the dog's body and attack the kidneys or cause septicemia. Septicemia occurs when the bacteria enter the bloodstream, infecting other organs and may be a very serious condition.
Preventing Bladder Infections
Bladder infections are very common in dogs and females are more exposed to these infections, due to their shorter urethra that causes the bacteria to accumulate and multiply faster.
The infection may be prevented with a proper hygiene, regular baths and regular urination times. Make sure your dog doesn't hold back from urinating for a long time, as the bacteria may gather in the bladder and lead to infections.
You also need to keep your dog's water bowl clean and the water fresh, so that it doesn't accumulate bacteria.