Does your dog seem happy? Does it greet you with excitement whenever you come home? Does it seem playful and full of energy when you put it outside?
Then you can be pretty sure that it does not have a dog urinary tract infection.
On the other hand, if your dog seems listless, if it's strains to urinate, or if it is suddenly peeing on your best rug, it may very well have an infection and need a dog urinary tract infection treatment .
What Causes A Dog Urinary Tract Infection?
The cause of dog urinary tract infections is bacteria your dog ingests with unclean food or water. These bacteria eventually work their way to the dog’s bladder where they attach themselves to the wall of the bladder and begin multiplying. When there are so many of these bacteria that they can overcome the dog's immune system, a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) will develop.
Dog Urinary Infection Treatment Is Simple And Safe
If your dog shows signs of a dog urinary tract infection -- if it strains to urinate; if you find blood its urine, if it cannot seem to hold its urine -- you need to get the dog to your veterinarian immediately.
He or she will collect a urine sample by inserting a needle through your dog’s body wall into the bladder and remove urine with a syringe. This may sound serious and painful but it is actually a very safe and painless procedure. Your vet will then examine a small amount of the urine sample under a microscope. If bacteria or white blood cells are found to be present, your veterinarian will probably then cultures the urine. However, just because there are white blood cells present doesn't necessarily mean that your dog has a UTI. It could simply mean that there is some inflammation present.
Once your vet has determined that the dog does have an UTI and the type of bacteria that’s causing it, he or she will prescribe an antibiotic. How long you will need to give your dog this medicine will depend on its age, whether it's experiencing a UTI for the first-time, the type of bacteria that caused the problem, what antibiotics your dog may be sensitive to, and if there are complicating factors.
Follow Your Vet's Instructions
It is very important that you follow the vet’s instructions exactly as given. If you miss a dose or two or do not complete the entire course of the dog urinary tract infection treatment, there can be serious consequences that can lead to a relapse of the condition.
Once you complete the course of dog urinary tract infection treatment, your vet will probably want to take another urine sample to make sure the infection is gone. If it is still present, you'll have to continue medicating your dog for a longer period of time. If your dog suffers from recurring infections, this may indicate that there are other problems or possibly urinary stones and your vet will most likely want to perform more tests.
Preventing A Dog Urinary Tract Infection
It may not be totally possible to keep your dog from developing a UTI, but here are some things that you can do to minimize the chances of it happening.
First, make sure that your dog gets frequent potty breaks. If you notice that your dog is showing signs of having to go to the bathroom, get it outside immediately.
Second, make sure your dog has adequate water. Water helps clean the urinary tract and replenish the body's fluids. It also washes away bacteria. So make sure you give your dog enough water throughout the day that it will be encouraged to urinate sufficiently. This is the body's natural way of flushing away harmful microorganisms.
Third, and this might sound a bit silly, but give your dog citrus drinks. Juices such as orange juice will cause your dog's urine to become more acidic. As it increases in acidity, the amount of bacteria in the dog's urine should decrease.
Finally, and most importantly, be sure to bring your dog to your vet for regular checkups. We need regular physical checkups and so does your dog. Try not to let too much time go by between examinations. A checkup from your vet is very helpful for identifying conditions such as a urinary tract infection at an early stage. And if the UTI is caught then, it is easier to treat and reduces the possibility of urinary tract infection complications.
Urinary tract infections can pose a danger to your dog. However, the good news is that dog urinary tract infection treatment is safe, simple and not terribly expensive. So, as soon as you believe your dog has a UTI, get it to your vet so it will not have to suffer needlessly or develop serious complications.
Next >> Natural Treatments For A Dog Urinary Tract Infection