According to Pet Alive, cystitis, urinary incontinence, and urolithiasis account for 80 percent of all urinary tract infections (UTIs). An infection in the urinary tract is just that--an infection caused by bacteria buildup and reproduction. A UTI leads to malfunctions in the dog's system, and through those malfunctions, there are some easily recognizable symptoms.
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Excessive Thirst
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Dogs that have a UTI begin to drink more water than usual as they seek to clear out the infection. This excessive drinking shows up almost immediately, and is one of the easiest symptoms to notice and diagnose. It also exacerbates one of the main side effects of UTI: the inability to fully empty the bladder.
Excessive Urination
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Excessive thirst leads naturally to excessive urination. Dogs with a UTI urinate as often as once an hour, and may demonstrate an inability to control their bladder. Dogs with UTIs often have "accidents" in the house, even when they're fully house trained. Since inability to fully empty the bladder, and pain during urination, are two of the side effects of UTI, this exaggerated urination may cause distress. Many dogs whine or cry during urination because of the pain.
Blood in Urine
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Bloody urine is common in any urinary tract complaint. Dogs with a UTI may pass urine that is tinged with pink or is obviously bloody. This happens because of the infection in the urinary tract, which may cause trauma or tissue breakdown. In serious infections, a dog's urine may be composed of almost all blood.
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