Urinary tract infections, what are they?
Dogs can get urinary tract infections (UTIs). A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract, the most common cause being bacterial infections. Bacterial urinary tract infections are the most common infectious disease in dogs. A UTI occurs when the normal flora of the skin and gastrointestinal (GI) tract breaks through the defenses of the urinary tract. As a result, bacteria congregate in the urinary tract, leading to infection. E. coli is the most common bacterial cause of UTIs, but many other bacteria and even some fungi can cause these infections. Generally, females are more prone to UTIs, but male dogs can still get them. Additionally, dogs that suffer from Cushing’s, have kidney disease, or are incontinent due to paralysis are more likely to get UTIs.
Paralyzed pets and urinary tract infections
While a UTI is uncomfortable for both humans and dogs, for a paralyzed dog, a UTI can go from an annoyance to a serious and life-threatening problem if left untreated.
Often a paralyzed dog will lose muscle control of his bladder. As a result, pets may become incontinent and may need to have their bladders manually emptied. This practice is called expressing the bladder. Unfortunately, with a dog’s bladder expression, no matter how good you get at the practice, some urine can remain in the urinary tract. Therefore, it is essential that you completely empty the bladder when expressing the bladder of a paralyzed dog. This is one of the main reasons disabled puppies get UTIs so often.
Symptoms of UTIs
Sometimes your dog may not show any symptoms, but the most common signs of a UTI are:
- Bloody and/or cloudy urine
- Strong order in urine
- straining or moaning during urination
- Accident in the house
- Need to go out more frequently
- Licking around the urinary orifice
- Fever
Treat urinary tract infections
As awful and annoying as they can be, treating a UTI is a simple process. After your vet performs an exam, blood test, and urine sample to confirm the diagnosis, you will be prescribed a series of antibiotics. While your dog is on antibiotics, it’s essential to encourage him to drink and stay hydrated! As the medications do their job, it may seem like your dog is cured. Still, it is essential to complete all drug therapy to thoroughly eliminate any bacteria and prevent another urinary tract infection from forming.
Tips for preventing urinary tract infections
The best practices for preventing UTIs are:
- Empty the bladder often (and completely).
- Add cranberry and mannose D supplements to your dog’s diet. Both of these supplements can reduce the ability of bacteria to stay in the bladder and effectively eliminate a UTI before it starts!
- Probiotics are another great way to promote bladder health. Although there is not as much concrete evidence to support the connection
- Cleanliness! Make sure the area around the urethra is kept clean, a quick swipe of a baby wipe after emptying your pup’s bladder or if he’s been rolling in mud or swimming will go a long way in preventing infections.
