Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs

November 11, 2008 by Richard Cross

Urinary tract infections are a common problem in dogs and can be extremely uncomfortable for your pet. They are caused by various kinds of bacteria in the dogs urethra which makes it difficult and painful for the dog urinate.

Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Infections

If your pets urine has a strange or different smell to usual
Your pet is in obvious discomfort when urinating
There is blood in the dogs urine
If your dog is urinating indoors or in places it knows it shouldn’t

In general you should look for any sign that there is a chance in how your dog urinates. This change will often be easy to notice. It is important though to keep track of your dogs urination habits and routines to make sure nothing is wrong.

Diagnosis Of Urinary Tract Infections

If you suspect your dog has a UTI then you should always contact your vet straight away. He or she will be able to advise you what the problem may be and how to fix it.

To diagnose your dogs UTI your vet will take a urine sample. This sample will then be tested for any bacteria that would cause the discomfort or other symptoms. If the sample shows a postitive match for a UTI then treatment will begin.

Treatment For Urinary Tract Infections

In most cases urinary tract infections in dogs can be treated by a course of antibiotics prescribed by your vet.

You should never try to provide antibiotics for your dog without first consulting your vet.

How To Prevent UTIs

There are several things you can do to help prevent urinary tract infections in dogs. The first is to make sure your dog drinks enough water every day and doesn’t get dehydrated. You should also make sure that your dog gets the opportunity to urinate regularly throughout the day to “clear out” the bladder and prevent bacteria building up.