Canine Urinary Tract Infections
Dogs can develop urinary tract infections, or UTIs, for a number of reasons. Often such infections begin in the urethra, sometimes undetected until they spread to the bladder, where they cause cystitis, a painful inflammation of the bladder wall. Urinary infections, even when mild, must be treated promptly because there is a very real danger of the infection spreading to the kidneys where it can become life-threatening.
Causes of Canine UTIs
There are many possible causes of urinary tract infections in dogs. They may be the result of:
- Congenital abnormalities
- Bladder or urethral stones
- Traumatic injury
- Prostate disease
- Endocrine disease, such as diabetes
- Cancer
Dogs over the age of 7 are more likely to develop UTIs because their urinary sphincters have weakened, allowing urine to leak and this incontinence may lead to bacterial infection. Female dogs are generally more prone to UTIs, but males with prostatitis also have a greater likelihood of developing the problem. Animals who are stressed, or must wait for very long periods to urinate, are more likely to develop urinary infections.
Certain breeds, because of a genetic predisposition to developing bladder stones, are more prone to UTIs. These breeds include Dalmatians, Yorkshire terriers and English bulldogs.
Symptoms of Canine UTIs
Dogs who are suffering urinary tract infections may exhibit one or many of the following symptoms:
- Difficult or painful urination
- Frequent urination
- Unsuccessful attempts to pass urine
- Passage of only a small amount of urine
- Passage of urine that is cloudy or bloody
- Dribbling of urine
- Urination in inappropriate places
- Constant licking of urethral opening
- Increased water consumption
Dogs with more severe UTIs may show signs of generalized illness, including fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite or vomiting.
Diagnosis of Canine UTIs
Canine urinary tract infections are diagnosed by a combination of a physical examination, concentrated on possible swellings or tenderness in the region of the bladder and kidneys and some combination of the following:
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
- Blood tests
- X-rays, possibly with contrast dye
- Ultrasound scan
X-rays and ultrasound scans are normally only needed if the UTI is suspected of traveling higher in the urinary tract.
Treatment of Canine UTIs
Any infection of the urinary tract requires a veterinary visit. Depending on whether the infection is mild or severe, the doctor may recommend one or more of the following remedies:
- Antibiotics
- Other medications or supplements
- Dietary changes
- Increase in water intake
- Urinary acidifiers or alkalinizers
- Fluid therapy
- Surgery
Typically, there will be a follow-up urine culture performed in a month or two to make sure the dog is free of infection. If the animal suffers a second bout of infection, further testing will be done. The veterinarian will also determine whether there is an underlying condition, such as diabetes, that requires additional treatment.
Surgery will only be necessary if the dog has a congenital abnormality that requires correction or if there is an abnormal growth, like bladder stones or a tumor, in the urinary tract.