Can Utis Be Prevented
Treating your dog for UTI risk factors such as being overweight, diabetes, bladder stones, or surgical correction of a recessed vulva will help prevent UTIs.
If your dog is at risk for recurrent UTI, talk with your vet about other bladder infection preventatives, including supplements and special diets.
Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs
Approximately 27% of dogs will develop a urinary tract infection at some point in their life, with a large percentage of those being caused by a bacterial infection. However there are a number of other reasons why your dog may be suffering from the uncomfortable symptoms of a UTI including:
- Viral infection
Symptoms Of Bladder Infection In Dogs
The most common signs of bladder infections in dogs include pain or difficulties urinating, blood in urine or in some cases you may notice that your pup is only urinating very small amounts but frequently. Other indications of bladder infections or urinary tract infections include:
- Straining to urinate
- Increased thirst
If your dog is exhibiting any of the symptoms above it’s time to head to your veterinarian. Bladder infections and urinary tract infections are very uncomfortable and often painful for dogs. That said, when caught and treated early these infections can often be cleared up quickly and easily so the sooner you can get your pooch to the vet the better.
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What Are Urine Infections In Dogs
A urine infection in a dog is an infection of the urinary tract, making it uncomfortable to pass urine. Your dog may strain when urinating and their urine may contain blood. These UTIs are commonly caused by bacteria including E. coli, but some fungi may also cause an infection. UTIs can also be caused by bladder stones, and incontinence in older dogs could also lead to an infection.
Surprisingly, urinary tract infections in dogs are more common than youd think. According to theAmerican Kennel Clubits one of the most common infectious diseases in dogs and around 14% will be affected by this problem at some point in their lives.
Uti Symptoms Return Repeatedly Can It Be Something Else
Repeated presentation of typical UTI symptoms could the be the sign of a more serious condition canine bladder cancer . Often, a positive diagnosis of TCC/UC will be found after rounds of antibiotics to treat symptoms do not fully resolve. The dog may then be evaluated for the presence of a tumor, usually via urine cytology, abdominal ultrasound, and/or cystoscopy. These procedures are expensive, invasive and take additional time, which allows for the mass to continue to grow and spread within the bladder and potentially beyond.
Diagnosis is now easier with the free-catch urine analysis test: CADET BRAF Mutation Detection Assay. The CADET BRAF Mutation Detection Assay is a non-invasive, free-catch urine analysis test that can detect canine bladder cancer months before symptoms present, allowing for the earliest therapeutic intervention.
Note: The information in this article is meant to inform you about urinary tract infections in dogs and is not meant to take the place of a veterinary diagnosis. If you have questions about your dogs health or possible symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.
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How Do I Know If My Dog Has A Bladder Infection
The most common signs of bladder infections in dogs include pain or difficulties urinating, blood in urine or in some cases you may notice that your pup is only urinating very small amounts but frequently. Other signs of bladder infections or urinary tract infections include:
- Straining to urinate
- Increased thirst
If your pup is displaying any of the symptoms above it’s time to head to the vet for an examination. Bladder infections and urinary tract infections are very uncomfortable and often painful for your dog. When caught and treated early these infections can often be cleared up quickly and easily.
When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider
If you have any of these symptoms, or your other symptoms continue after treatment, call your healthcare provider. A UTI can spread throughout your urinary tract and into other parts of your body. However, treatment is very effective and can quickly relieve your symptoms.
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Load Up On Vitamin C For A Healthy Urinary Tract
Getting plenty of foods high in vitamin C is important because large amounts of vitamin C make urine more acidic. This inhibits the growth of bacteria in your urinary tract, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine’s health library. However, if you have an active UTI, you may want to avoid citrus or other acidic foods. These foods are known to irritate the bladder, which is the last thing you need when youre having pain urinating.
Uti Diagnosis In Dogs
If its obvious your dog has a UTI and you want to use home remedies, you may not need your vets help. But if you want to confirm its a UTI, your vet will need to test a urine sample from your dog.
- Make sure the container you use is clean
- Try to collect your sample from your dogs first pee of the day
- Refrigerate the sample until you can get it to the vet
If you cant manage it yourself, take your dog to the vet where they have different ways to get the sample from your dog.
The urinalysis will tell your vet whether your dog has a bacterial infection. If youre going to use antibiotics, theyll do a culture to find out which bacteria is causing the problem. You wont need this information if youre planning to use home remedies for your dogs UTI.
So now, if you think your dog has a UTI, you have some information thatll help you recognize the symptoms as well as some home remedies that can help resolve this unpleasant condition.
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What Are Natural Urinary Tract Infection Remedies
Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable and potentially harmful to your dog. Diagnosing a UTI early and obtaining the proper treatment is important for the dog’s comfort and overall health.
Natural remedies can help in the treatment of UTIs, and are especially effective in the early stages. Before giving your dog a natural remedy for UTIs, contact a veterinarian. UTIs often require medical care, especially if there’s an established bacterial infection. In this case, natural remedies will cure the UTI, and only prescription antibiotics and veterinary treatment will remedy the infection.
If left untreated, UTIs can lead to the development of urinary bladder stones , which can be very painful and sometimes require surgery to remove.
Can You Get Rid Of A Uti Naturally At Home Or Do You Need Antibiotics
Sometimes, you can get rid of a UTI naturally by resting, drinking lots of water, taking dietary supplements, and giving the infection some time to heal. Research from 2017 suggests that somewhere between 25% and 42% of UTIs resolve naturally without the use of antibiotics.
However, there are certain situations where wait and see just isnt an acceptable approach. Untreated UTIs can cause potentially life threatening complications, including .
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What Can I Give My Dog For A Urinary Tract Infection Over The Counter
100% Pure Cranberry Juice It is believed that pure cranberry juice can help to prevent the harmful bacteria from adhering to the wall of your dog’s bladder, meaning that it can be flushed out of your pup’s system faster. Consult your vet before giving your dog cranberry juice, or any other natural treatments.
Does My Dog Have An Inherited Urinary Disease
Some inherited diseases can cause chronic urinary problems in dogs and you can test your dog to see if hes at risk. EasyDNA has an at-home DNA test kit that you can give your dog, mail it in, and get results in just a few weeks. Diseases tested for include:
- Hyperuricosuria: a genetic disorder that involves elevated levels of uric acid in the urine, which can cause the formation of stones in their bladders and sometimes kidneys. This EasyDNA test is available for all dog breeds.
- Cystinuria: another autosomal recessive disorder that causes the kidneys to fail to reabsorb amino acids . This can lead to the formation of cystine crystals and stones in the urinary tract, leading to possible blockage of the urethra. This EasyDNA test is available for Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundlands.
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Can A Dog Urinary Infection Cure Itself
Generally, urinary tract infections require some form of treatment. Very mild cases of UTIs may resolve themselves on their own, but cases with serious symptoms require veterinary attention. However, even if the case seems mild to you, dont be passive and expect it to go away by itself. You should always play it safe and, at the very least, give the vet a phone call to discuss your dogs symptoms and book an appointment if necessary.
Administer Fresh Blueberries Or Cranberries
Usually, cranberries are often given to humans for assistance with a UTI, and they can also work well for your dog.
The blueberries and cranberries will reduce the PH of your dogs bladder, which prevents the bacteria from attaching to the urethra and bladder walls.
Plus, blueberries and cranberries will better the functionality of your dogs gastrointestinal tract.
Required Ingredients:
- Fresh cranberries or blueberries
Process:
Notes: To avoid your dog choking, chop the blueberries or cranberries well. If you do not have access to these fresh fruits, you can use dried- be sure there is no added sugar.
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Can I Give My Dog Cranberry Juice
We have heard time and time again that cranberry juice can help get rid of a UTI for humans. But what about dogs? Is cranberry juice for a dog UTI safe? We recommend speaking to your dogs vet about this. Each dog is unique, and what works for one may be dangerous for another. We strongly urge you to speak with your dogs vet before administering any type of treatment.
Urinary Tract Infection In Dogs: How And Why They Occur
When a dog suffers from a urinary tract infection, likely it will be a bacterial infection. UTIs can link to your dogs diet, stress levels, immunological deficiencies, bladder stones, tumors, or injuries.
When your dogs bladder is inflamed due to infection, it will frequently attempt to urinate. Add this to other subtle symptoms that can be hard to identify, making it important for you to pay attention to the following indicators:
- Your dog urinates more often in small amounts
- The urine of your pup seems to be darker and has a pungent scent
- Accidents happen more often inside your home
- There will be a noticeable dripping after your dog urinates
- Crying and whimpering
In the worse cases, a dog may also develop the following signs and symptoms:
- Pain while it urinates
- The presence of blood in the urine
- Your dog may develop Incontinence
- Frequently licks its genitalia
It is important to take note that poor quality dog foods can also be a major reason why this problem manifests in pets. Feeding low-quality food with fillers can make your pups urine more alkaline. This increases the risk of crystals forming and urinary problems. If your dog is PRONE to UTIs, you might consider feeding a urinary health dog food.
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When To See A Doctor
Contact your doctor if you have pain or discomfort when you urinate or other symptoms of a bladder infection, especially if the symptoms have been present for two days or more. If an infection lingers for too long, you risk the bacterial infection traveling to other parts of your body, including your kidneys. Therefore, you should seek treatment if you notice symptoms.
Your doctor will complete a physical examination and collect a urine sample to send for lab analysis to determine if an infection is present. Complications from an uncomplicated bladder infection are typically rare with antibiotic treatment. However, if you develop fever, chills, nausea, or confusion, you should immediately contact your doctor. These symptoms suggest a more serious infection that has spread to your kidneys. If you have a kidney infection, you may need an IV treatment of high-dose antibiotics, which may require hospitalization.
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Causes Of Utis In Dogs
A UTI happens when bacteria enter the urethra and results in an infection that can affect the urinary tract, bladder, and kidneys. Its not always possible to determine the cause of a UTI in dogs, but it can be influenced by factors including:
- A weakened immune system
- Abnormalities in the structure of the urinary tract
- Tumors in the bladder or urinary tract
- Illnesses such as diabetes
UTIs can lead to complications, including bladder stones and kidney damage. In addition, they can cause prostatitis in male dogs. Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate gland that is more common in older dogs or those who have not been neutered. This is just one of many reasons why its so important to neuter your dog.
Neutering not only prevents unexpected litters of puppies, but it also has important health benefits, including protecting against UTIs, preventing testicular cancer, and helping to reduce aggression. It can also eliminate unwanted behaviors, such as mounting people or objects. Learn more about neutering.
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Urinate When The Need Arises
Frequent urination puts pressure on bacteria in the urinary tract, which can help to clear them out.
It also reduces the amount of time that bacteria in the urine are exposed to cells in the urinary tract, reducing the risk of them attaching and forming an infection.
Always urinate as soon as possible when the urge strikes to and treat UTIs.
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How Do I Know If My Female Dog Has A Uti
Even though female dogs are more likely to develop a UTI, their symptoms should be no different from those of a male dog with the same infection. We already went over the common signs of UTIs, but well recap them here as well.
- Excessively licking the genitals
So, how can you tell if your female dog is in heat or has a UTI? First, it depends on whether or not your dog is spayed. Dogs who have been spayed do not go into heat, so if your spayed dog shows the above signs, it means they have a UTI or similar condition.
If your dog has not been spayed, she will go into heat about twice a year. This typically happens every 6 months, so you can keep track of your dogs estrous cycle and know when they will likely go into heat.
While the physical signs of heat and UTIs can be similar, the behavioral signs are very different. Dogs in heat want to mate, so they will actively seek partners. When you visit the dog park, youll probably notice your girl making a beeline for the male dogs. However, if your dog has a UTI, shell behave in the opposite way. Dogs in pain tend to act fearful and may hide. They are likely to show signs of fatigue and distress, not the energetic enthusiasm of a dog in heat.
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Prevention From The Acidic Food And Drinks
If you provide your children with semi solids or the solid food and other different fluids apart from breast milk then, prevent them from giving acidic drinks and foods. The food should eventually be as blended as possible and also more of the diluted juice like breast milk or if given vegetables or sweets then make sure it should be less acidic.
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What Is The Prognosis For Urinary Tract Infections
- Simple urinary tract infections usually resolve with a course of antibiotics with no serious complications.
- Complicated urinary tract infections carry a higher risk of treatment failure, although most individuals treated with the appropriate antibiotic in a timely manner will have a favorable outcome.
- Individuals who develop sepsis as the result of a urinary tract infection carry a more guarded prognosis, as sepsis is a serious condition that can sometimes result in death. This is a rare occurrence in healthy individuals.
- Elderly individuals or those who have kidney stones, diabetes, sickle cell disease, cancer, or chronic kidney diseases are more likely to have complications or a poor outcome resulting from a urinary tract infection.
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Can A Dog Uti Cure Itself
A dog UTI can usually resolve with natural remedies or treatment, without leaving lasting damage. But they should always be addressed.
In some cases, urinary problems may be something more serious, like poisoning or even cancer. So, if in doubt or if it does not clear up in a reasonable manner of time, see your vet.
Is Yogurt Good For Dogs With Uti
Yogurt may help reduce the risk of UTIs in humans because it contains healthy bacteria, but it is not a good option for most dogs. Yogurt contains lactose, which is very difficult for dogs to digest. Eating food with lactose can cause gas, diarrhea, and vomiting. This doesnt happen to all dogs, but you should generally avoid giving your dog yogurt or any lactose-rich product.
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