The dog's bladder is the organ responsible for collecting urine excreted from the kidneys and ultimately disposing of it through the action of urination. While a healthy bladder will perform these important functions with no problems, once the bladder becomes populated by bacteria, it may become susceptible to a variety of problems. When this occurs, the dog develops a urinary tract infection with all its distinctive symptoms.
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Considerations
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Bladder infections may affect both male and female dogs. However, it is more common in females because of their anatomy. Female dogs have a shorter urethra with a wider opening, making it easier for bacteria to travel and settle in the bladder. According to Dr. Pam Epperson, owner of the Animal Care Center in Utah, bladder infections tend to affect older spayed females that experience urinary incontinence.
Symptoms
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Dogs affected by urinary tract infections generally develop the following symptoms: straining to urinate, frequent urination producing small drops at a time, bloody urine, increased thirst, increased urination, licking the genital area and general discomfort. As the infection progresses, affected dogs may develop lethargy, fever and loss of appetite. Generally, the faster treatment is initiated, the faster the dog recovers, granting a better prognosis.
Diagnosis
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Collecting a urine sample may be a good way to help the veterinarian come to a diagnosis. In order to give accurate results, the urine sample should be fresh, collected within four hours. The fresher the better. Ideally, the collected sample should be placed in a sterile container and refrigerated. It helps to label the container with the dog's name and the time it was collected. The urine sample will then be tested, and if positive for bacteria, blood, protein, sugar or white blood cells, the dog may start treatment. A urine sample may also be obtained through cystocensis, a procedure where a needle collects the urine directly from the bladder.
Treatment
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Once the dog is diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, the dog can start a course of antibiotics. Generally the antibiotics are given for about 10 days. If this does not clear up the infection, another course of antibiotics may be necessary. Left untreated, urinary tract infections may aggravate and the bacteria may further multiply, affecting the kidneys and giving rise to a potentially dangerous kidney infection known as pyelonephritis.
Prevention/Solution
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While in some instances the real cause of a urinary tract infection may remain unknown (idiopathic), there are some things owners may do to lower the chances of their dog developing a urinary tract infection. Dogs should always have access to fresh, clean water. Frequent trips outside help because this way, the urine does not remain in the bladder for too long creating the ideal grounds for bacteria to multiply. Walking often also helps keep the bladder in good shape and healthy, since it encourages urination.
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