If you notice that your dog urinates more or less than before, sprays around the house, and has excessive thirst , he might have a urinary tract infection. Diagnosing the infection in time will give you more treatment options and avoid other complications (like kidney failure) that may result from the infection.
Primor has proven to be effective in treating urinary tract infections, but may also be used to treat wounds and skin infections.
The active ingredients in Primor are sulfadimethoxine and ormetoprim.
Administration and Dosage
Primor is available in tablets of 240mg and 1200mg. The regular dosage is 25 mg per pound of body weight; however in more sever cases of urinary tract infection, the dosage may be increased. The tablets are administrated orally.
After the infection is under control and the UTI symptoms disappear, a lower dosage is administrated for two more days to make sure the infection is fully cured.
Make sure that your dog drinks plenty of fresh water while under treatment to prevent dehydration.
The treatment can be administrated for up to 3 weeks. After this your pet might develop immunity and will not respond to medication. In addition, Primor may also be toxic in high quantities.
Primor Side Effects
Primor has side effects such as facial swelling, hives, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, lack of appetite and increased thirst. In rare cases, polyarthritis has also been reported as a Primor side effect.
You can also expect behavioral changes and aggressive behavior from your dog. All these changes should go back to normal once the treatment is stopped.
Cautions When Using Primor
Primor should not be administrated to dogs that have allergic reactions to sulfonamides. Dogs with liver and kidney damage should also avoid Primor.
Primor is not recommended for pregnant and nursing dogs. Puppies may also be too sensitive for Primor and may develop complicated side effects.
Dehydrated dogs and dogs with chronic diarrhea may need a different medication for UTI, as Primor may cause dehydration and can aggravate the condition.
Primor administrated in high dosages may be toxic, so make sure to follow your vet's prescriptions.
Primor is effective for dogs, but is not recommended for cats with UTI.
UTI Treatment Options
If your dog proves to be allergic to Primor, you can always opt for other antibiotics. Zeniquin or Naxcel may be recommended as alternatives. Remember that all these antibiotics have side effects.
Opt for a homeopathic treatment-this can be lengthier but has no side effects.
Keep your dog hydrated while under treatment for urinary tract infection. He needs to flush out all bacteria. Take him for long walks-which will help him urinate.
Preventing Canine UTI
Canine UTI is common in dogs, especially females, but may be prevented by proper hygiene. Take your dog for regular walks and give him the chance to urinate. Holding the urine for too long may cause bacteria to gather in your dog's bladder and lead to UTI.