Instructions
Watch to see if your dog is indicating pain or discomfort while urinating, commonly shown by whimpering or straining during elimination. Veterinarians call this symptom dysuria.
Assess whether your pet is urinating more frequently--either in smaller amounts more often, or smaller amounts in multiple spots. The veterinarians at Mar Vista Animal Medical Center tell us that excessive urination--known as polyuria--results when bacterial inflammation of the urinary bladder causes the bladder to lose tone and control.
Look for instances of incontinence--the bladder's inflammatory response may make it difficult for your pet to hold its urine for the usual amount of time.
Evaluate your pet's water consumption. Because urinary tract infections often cause excessive urination, your dog may be compensating for dehydration by drinking excessive amounts of water.
Notice if your dog's urine has a strong, pungent smell and/or the reddish tinge of blood. Either of these means that bacteria has infiltrated the normally sterile urinary bladder and is causing infection.
How to Identify Canine Urinary Tract Infections
A canine urinary tract infection (UTI) typically occurs when bacteria migrate up the dog's urethra and invade the animal's urinary bladder. There, the bacteria adhere to the soft lining of the bladder and begin to colonize, causing inflammatory responses that decrease the flexibility of the organ, according to Dr. Alleice Summers in "Common Diseases of Companion Animals." As the infection progresses, the infection causes increasing pain and the dog begins to show signs specific to this disease. Recognizing the symptoms of a UTI and seeking timely veterinary help will keep your pet comfortable and prevent further spread of the infection, which can lead to kidney failure and possibly death.