Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Urinary Tract Infection or UTI, is very common among dogs, and this is treatable with the proper treatment procedures. At certain times your furry friend may face challenging situations due to UTI infections as they cannot convey their uneasiness. 

So, you must be very careful and attentive while handling your dogs. Maintaining routine hygiene will keep them healthy and help to avoid such bacterial infections. Scroll through the article to learn more about urinary tract infections in dogs.

Urinary tract infections in dogs refer to a severe infection in a dog’s urinary tract, kidney, uterus, urethra and bladder. It is a bacterial infection that can spread quickly and become harmful if you do not recognize it early. Eventually, it may spread all over the bladder and cause serious health issues in dogs.

Common pathogens responsible for bacterial UTIs are:

• Proteus sp.
• Klebsiella sp.
• Escherichia coli
• Staphylococcus sp.
• Pseudomonas sp.
• Streptococcus sp.

The main cause of urinary tract infections in dogs is bacterial attacks. However, there are some other causes, too, which are mentioned below:

• Prostatitis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Stress
• Medicinal or steroid immunosuppression
• Polyps
• Bladder stones
• Anatomic abnormalities
• Hyperadrenocorticism
• Reduced mucosal defence
• Toxic substances
• Spinal cord abnormalities
• Kidney disease

The Signs of UTI in dogs are as follows:

• Dogs may lick urinary openings frequently
• Vomiting
• Haematuria or blood in the urine
• Incontinence
• Strangury or painful, slow voiding
• Pollakiuria or small amount urinating
• Cloudy urine
• Anorexia
• Lethargy
• Smelly urine
• Unusual drinking traits
• Pain during urination

The diagnosis process includes a complete examination of

• Protein
• Blood
• Bacteria
• Ketones
• pH
• Crystals

Apart from running these tests, a veterinarian doctor will also ask a few questions, such as:

• How long has the dog been feeling uneasy?
• What changes have you noticed in your dog’s urinary habits?
• What were your dog’s last prescribed medicines, and how did they respond to them?
• What are the recent behavioural changes in your dog?

A doctor may also check for lesions or stones by performing an ultrasound or radiograph.

The urinary tract infection treatment for dogs is as follows:

• Antibiotics: If the diagnosis brings out bacterial cystitis, then a doctor will prescribe antibiotics. With this, the effectiveness of symptoms will be reduced. However, you should complete the course of antibiotics to avoid further infection.
• Pain Killers: A UTI can cause extreme pain, which makes dogs uneasy. Thus, they will need anti-inflammatory pain relief to get some relief. In the worst-case scenario, they may need pain relief injections.
• Surgery: Your dog may need cystotomy surgery if there are any large urinary stones. Hence, your dogs will recover within 1-2 weeks after successful surgery. Sometimes, you may also notice blood in their urine which is normal and will reduce in a couple of days.
• Underlying Disease Treatment: Underlying diseases may cause more hazards with UTIs. Thus, doctors will prescribe treatment for these diseases first. For example, bladder tumours can be treated with medicines, and prostate diseases are treated with surgical and chemical castration.
• Bladder Support: Doctors may prescribe helpful medicines such as CystoPro for bladder support, preventing bacterial infections, and supporting good bacteria growth in the bladder. Further, these medicines are also helpful for protecting sensitive bladder cells and improving gut functions.
• Special Diet: Special diets are necessary for treating dogs’ urinary tract diseases; these can help to lower the acidic elements and stone-forming substances in the body. As special diets are for managing the severe situation of the stone thus, it depends on the nature of the stone.

The risk factors for urinary tract infections in dogs are:

• Being Female: Female dogs are more prone to severe UTIs because they have smaller urethra than male dogs. Thus, bacteria quickly reach the bladder and cause harm.
• Age: Age is another risk factor for UTI. Studies have shown that older dogs are more prone to UTI and its harmful consequences.
• Health Issues: Dogs with kidney disorders, diabetes, and Cushing’s disease can experience UTI more.

You can follow the below-mentioned process to prevent UTI in your dogs:

• Provide them with necessary drinking water so that their body can flush out bacteria naturally
• Clean and groom your dog and also clean their urinary opening
• Consult a vet and provide your dog with urinary supplements
• Let your dog urinate frequently, and do not force them to hold their bladders
• Go to a vet as soon as you notice any symptoms of urinary tract infection in your dog.

To help your dog with post-treatment recovery, you should continue the course of antibiotics properly. It will help prevent chances of further infection. In addition, you should make your dog drink more water to keep their inner body function healthy.

Therefore, follow this guide to have a comprehensive idea of urinary tract infections in dogs and their treatment. Further, the article has also listed preventive measures so you can care for your dog properly to save them from UTIs. Hence, if you notice severe problems in your dog’s daily life, you should call a vet immediately for treatment.