How To Tell If Your Dog Has A Bladder Infection
How to tell if your dog has a bladder infection is an important part of making sure your pet continues to enjoy the quality of life they deserve. Two concerns along these lines are the possibility of recurring infections requiring very long-term treatment and secondly, the possibility that the infection will climb the urinary tract ladder resulting in kidney damage or kidney failure.
The chances of either one of these occurring when the condition is recognized early and treated appropriately is generally quite small.
The old, the weak, the crippled, and the sick
Dog bladder infections are often referred to as cystitis, or infection of the lining of the bladder. In a perfect dog world filled with doggy bones, stray cats to chase, and immune systems that don't decline with age we wouldn't even be talking about how to tell if your dog has a bladder infection. This is because bacterial infections of the urinary tract in dogs only occur when the animals immune system is overpowered by bacteria which has gained access through the urethra and made itself right at home in the lining of the bladder.
As pets age so do their immune systems, subsequently the vast majority of cases of cystitis occur in dogs over the age of 7. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for a younger dog to become infected under a perfect storm of immune denigrating circumstances, but generally speaking the numbers are small in comparison.
When pets can't exercise, or have challenges that keep them from urinating, as often as they should, they are at increased risk of a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. This may be an important point to consider during the winter months when arthritic dogs tend to be less active or the summer months when pet parents tend to go on vacation.
Diabetes, cancer, urine obstructing tumors or stones, and bladder thickening are all contributing factors that can increase the risk of infection.
How to tell if your dog has a bladder infection – The symptoms
According to the Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health the symptoms to look for are frequent urination, painful and difficult urination, and urinating in inappropriate places. They go on to add that there may be blood in the urine which is more noticeable at the end of the urine stream and occasionally dogs with bladder infections may show no signs at all.
My personal experience with these types of infections tells me that there are few other signs that bacteria has taken up residence that are worth keeping an eye out for. These would include peculiar smelling urine, excessive water consumption for no particular reason, fatigue, unexplained aggression, isolationism, loss of appetite, purposeful and regular licking of their private area, and loss of interest in previously enjoyed pet friendly activities.
Treatment
Now that you know how to tell if your dog has a bladder infection the next question that most pet parents ask is what about treatment. I think it is important to realize that once the signs become obvious your dogs immune system has lost the battle against the invading bacteria and swift action is required. Normally, this comes in the form of a two-week regime of antibiotics.
While antibiotic treatment may be necessary it is important to point out that regular use of antibiotics comes with its own set of problems namely weakening of the immune system and the elimination of any remaining good bacteria defending the urinary tract.
To offset the risks that antibiotics pose many concerned pet parents are opting for natural remedies made from herbs and other plant-based ingredients. These types of supplemental remedies can be used safely both as a compliment to conventional antibiotic treatment, providing an extra layer of protection, or as a preventative measure to prevent recurring or chronic infection.
The chances of either one of these occurring when the condition is recognized early and treated appropriately is generally quite small.
The old, the weak, the crippled, and the sick
Dog bladder infections are often referred to as cystitis, or infection of the lining of the bladder. In a perfect dog world filled with doggy bones, stray cats to chase, and immune systems that don't decline with age we wouldn't even be talking about how to tell if your dog has a bladder infection. This is because bacterial infections of the urinary tract in dogs only occur when the animals immune system is overpowered by bacteria which has gained access through the urethra and made itself right at home in the lining of the bladder.
As pets age so do their immune systems, subsequently the vast majority of cases of cystitis occur in dogs over the age of 7. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for a younger dog to become infected under a perfect storm of immune denigrating circumstances, but generally speaking the numbers are small in comparison.
When pets can't exercise, or have challenges that keep them from urinating, as often as they should, they are at increased risk of a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. This may be an important point to consider during the winter months when arthritic dogs tend to be less active or the summer months when pet parents tend to go on vacation.
Diabetes, cancer, urine obstructing tumors or stones, and bladder thickening are all contributing factors that can increase the risk of infection.
How to tell if your dog has a bladder infection – The symptoms
According to the Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health the symptoms to look for are frequent urination, painful and difficult urination, and urinating in inappropriate places. They go on to add that there may be blood in the urine which is more noticeable at the end of the urine stream and occasionally dogs with bladder infections may show no signs at all.
My personal experience with these types of infections tells me that there are few other signs that bacteria has taken up residence that are worth keeping an eye out for. These would include peculiar smelling urine, excessive water consumption for no particular reason, fatigue, unexplained aggression, isolationism, loss of appetite, purposeful and regular licking of their private area, and loss of interest in previously enjoyed pet friendly activities.
Treatment
Now that you know how to tell if your dog has a bladder infection the next question that most pet parents ask is what about treatment. I think it is important to realize that once the signs become obvious your dogs immune system has lost the battle against the invading bacteria and swift action is required. Normally, this comes in the form of a two-week regime of antibiotics.
While antibiotic treatment may be necessary it is important to point out that regular use of antibiotics comes with its own set of problems namely weakening of the immune system and the elimination of any remaining good bacteria defending the urinary tract.
To offset the risks that antibiotics pose many concerned pet parents are opting for natural remedies made from herbs and other plant-based ingredients. These types of supplemental remedies can be used safely both as a compliment to conventional antibiotic treatment, providing an extra layer of protection, or as a preventative measure to prevent recurring or chronic infection.
Source...