Puppies are known for getting into things that they shouldn't, both indoor and outdoor. Therefore, it is no surprise that puppies are prone to developing urinary tract infections, also known as UTIs. Urinary tract infections occur for a variety of reasons, but spotting the signs is the best way to get your puppy the treatment he needs.
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What is the Urinary Tract?
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The urinary tract is relatively simple to understand. The kidneys are attached to the bladder by the ureters. The ureters are tubes which carry urine between the two organs. Once the urine reaches the bladder, it is stored until the bladder is full. Once full, the bladder empties the urine through the urethra, which is a tube connected to the bladder in which urine exits the body.
What Causes a UTI in a Puppy?
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Most urinary tract infections occur in the bladder. However, it is possible for an infection to occur anywhere within the urinary tract including the kidneys, the urethra, or the ureters. Urinary tract infections can be caused by fungal infections or viral infections, however most are caused by bacterial infections.
Urine is sterile, so in a healthy urinary tract there is no bacteria present to cause an infection. Most infections occur when the bacteria enters the body through the urethra. Once the bacteria has entered the urinary tract, it can travel up to the bladder where most infections occur. However, all UTIs have the potential to spread further up into the kidneys.
Symtpoms of a UTI in a Puppy
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Many dogs will suffer from poillakiuria, which is a condition in which the dog urinates small amounts of urine frequently. There may also be some pain (known as dysuria), which the owner may or may not notice. Pain may vary and may be displayed through facial expressions when urinating or your puppy may whine or even howl in pain when urination.
In addition to these two common symptoms, some dogs may suffer from hematuria. Hematuria is a condition in which blood is present in the urine. Puppies who are suffering from a urinary tract infection may also have accidents (when urine is involuntarily released) around the home, even if they've already successfully completed potty training.
Some puppies may also suffer from a fever or lethargy. The stomach may be tender, which may be noticed when you pat or rub her stomach. In certain cases, such as with a fungal infection the urine may have a foul smell.
Diagnosis
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When you bring your puppy into the veterinarian for an exam, mention these symptoms. These symptoms will alert your veterinarian to a potential urinary tract infection. A urine sample will be taken and a urinalysis will be performed. A urinalysis helps your veterinarian confirm the suspected diagnosis and also helps to determine what the cause of the infection.
Treatment for UTIs in Puppies
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Since most urinary tract infections are due to bacterial infections, antibiotics will be prescribed to clear up the infection. However, if the infection is due to a fungal infection or a viral infection, then appropriate medications (such as anti-fungal medication) will be prescribed. Whatever medications your veterinarian prescribes should be given for the full length of treatment. Otherwise, it is possible for the infection to reoccur.
If your puppy suffers from multiple urinary tract infections, your veterinarian may want to run additional tests to determine the underlying cause. Reoccurring infections can occur due to resistant bacteria or underlying conditions. Underlying conditions include bladder stones, diabetes, immune system issues and in severe cases, cancer.
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