If your dog has changed his urinating habits, he may have a urinary tract infection. Commonly caused by bacteria which infect the body via the urethra, it usually creates inflammation. The infection can remain localized or it can also affect the kidneys, bladder, prostate gland, ureters or the urethra.
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The Facts
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Urine helps to keep the urinary tract healthy and free of infections. If your dog is not able to urinate frequently enough or if there are other health problems which change your dog's pH balance or urine composition, the bacteria-killing properties in your dog's urine are reduced. As infection takes hold, the resulting inflammation constricts the urethra, making urination more difficult. As a result, less urine is passed from the body, which can lead to other health problems like bladder stones or blockages.
Symptoms
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Symptoms that your dog may have a UTI (urinary tract infection) include increased frequency of urination, abnormal odor in the urine, painful urination, increased thirst, appearance of blood or pus in the urine, difficulty urinating, leaking or mild incontinence, urinating indoors or in places that are not acceptable and increased licking of the genitals.
Diagnosis
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Many of these symptoms could also signal another disease or condition. If you suspect that your dog may have a UTI, you should take a urine sample to your veterinarian for analysis and confirmation of the diagnosis. Your veterinarian will evaluate your dog, perform a physical examination and test the composition of your dog's urine. Your vet will check the PH balance and check for any signs of blood, crystals or bacteria.
Treatment
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Once your dog has a confirmed diagnosis of a UTI, your veterinarian will give you an antibiotic to treat the infection. Most courses of treatment last 10 days to two weeks while more stubborn cases may require longer treatment plans.
Preventing a Recurrent Infection
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Preventing a recurrence of the infection involves taking several steps. For example:
Be sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times. By increasing your dog's intake of fluids, she will urinate more frequently. This, in turn, will keep the urinary tract clean and less susceptible to infection.
Just as with humans, cranberry juice can also assist your dog in preventing recurrent UTIs. The juice improves the acidity of the urine, enabling it to more effectively kill any invading bacteria. You can give some to your dog in a bowl or purchase cranberry capsules to supplement your dog's diet.
Letting your dog out and/or walking him more frequently will help her to urinate more frequently and completely empty his bladder. This discourages bacterial infection and will keep your dog both healthier and happier.
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