In this article, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs. While UTIs could pose a significant risk to your pet’s health, you can easily detect them if you know what to look for. There are several types of UTIs that dogs can contract, but our primary focus will be on sterile cystitis and pyelonephritis.
To avoid these nasty infections from happening at all, you should make sure to take your pup outside often – even if it seems like they don’t need to go – as well as give them fresh water at every meal.
Now, let’s get on with the symptoms! It can be hard to spot when your doggie is in pain (they seem like they’re grinning all the time anyway), so you need to know what to look out for. A dog will show signs of a UTI through discomfort and swelling in the genitals. Some dogs may lick their genitalia more than usual, but if they seem to be having trouble walking or are straining to go number two, they could have a urinary tract infection.
If your dog is frequently urinating outside the expected time, you must take them to see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your dog could have a UTI if it seems to be going more often than usual but doesn’t want to go outside. Some dogs will start scratching at their genitals because it hurts them so much when they pee. If you notice these things happening, take your furry friend in for an examination as soon as possible.
The Symptoms of Dog Urinary Tract Infections
The main symptoms of a urinary tract infection are blood in the urine, straining to urinate, fever, painful urination, and general lethargy. If your dog is showing two or more of these symptoms, it may have an advanced infection that requires treatment by a vet. It’s important not to delay getting your dog to the vet if you think they may have a UTI, as it can lead to septicemia, which is very dangerous.
It’s important to remember that your dog can’t tell you when something hurts them, so it’s up to you to ensure they’re not in pain. Don’t wait if you notice any of these symptoms as a UTI is no light matter and needs to be treated as soon as possible.
The Best Way to Treat a Urinary Tract Infection
If your dog has blood in its urine or shows any other symptoms of a urinary tract infection, you should take them to see your veterinarian as soon as possible. If caught early enough, the infection can be treated with antibiotics and will usually clear up within three days to two weeks. However, suppose your dog does not respond well to treatment or has septicemia (the release of bacteria into the blood). In that case, they may require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotic treatment and fluid therapy.
The Best Way to Prevent a Urinary Tract Infection
Preventing your dog from getting a urinary tract infection can be as easy as ensuring they go outside frequently and take in plenty of fresh, clean water. If you’re worried about frequent bathroom breaks, crate training them might help until you know how often they need to go. It’s also vital that your dog is spayed or neutered if you don’t want them to have puppies.
If left unneutered, male dogs are much more likely to get urinary tract infections because they have long, narrow urethras (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body), making it easier for bacteria to climb up from the vagina. If your dog is a female, they are most likely to get UTIs because their urethras are shorter and closer to the anus, making it easier for bacteria to transfer from there into the bladder.
The Best Home Remedies for a Urinary Tract Infection
The best thing you can do for your dog if they have a UTI is to bring them to see their veterinarian for antibiotic treatment. However, there are some things you can do in the meantime to make them more comfortable while they’re sick. If your dog is too weak to get onto the bed, then placing a heated blanket over them might help make them feel a little better. You can also offer your dog some pain relief medication if they’re in a lot of discomfort.
The Best Ways to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections from Coming Back
The best way to ensure your dog does not develop frequent urinary tract infections is to have them spayed or neutered. If possible, try to bring your dog in for an early-age spay/neuter before the problem starts, so they don’t have to deal with it later. You can also discourage your dog from drinking out of dirty puddles or standing water by giving them fresh water more often and ensuring they always have access to a water bowl.
For how long will I need to keep my dog on medication?
If your dog is responding well to treatment and their symptoms clear up, you should be able to stop giving them any medication after two weeks. However, if you find it difficult to tell whether they’re improving, you should keep them on their medication for at least another week.
Conclusion
If you want to know how to tell if your dog has a UTI, it’s essential to understand the symptoms and what causes them. Knowing prevention methods and home remedies can help make life easier for both of you while they’re on treatment. Preventing future UTIs from occurring is as easy as spaying or neutering your pet before their hormones start developing at puberty.
Their urethra will be shorter, making it more difficult for bacteria to travel into their bladder. If this article was helpful in any way, please share it with friends! We hope our content helps owners better care for their pets and provides valuable information on urinary tract infections in dogs.
