Keeping your furry friend happy and healthy is a top priority. Sometimes, this isn’t easily achieved. When life happens we all try to stay on top of our priorities, but some things may slip through the cracks.
If your dog starts exhibiting signs of an illness, it’ll cause some worry. However, knowing how to identify what may be occurring helps ease fear. Staying informed on what your dog is going through can be as simple as knowing the signs and symptoms.
When your dog gets a urinary tract infection, or UTI, they’ll show certain signs and symptoms. Knowing what to look for helps your vet find proper dog UTI treatment options and give you peace of mind.
Signs Your Dog Requires UTI Treatment
Like any human, your four-legged companion may show certain behaviors when they’re suffering from a UTI. Some signs your pet may demonstrate that’ll require dog UTI treatment are:- Difficulty Urinating: If your dog is whimpering or showing signs of physical strain when they try to relieve themselves, this is a key indicator of a urinary tract infection. Your pet will more than likely be in some pain as the main factor of a UTI is bad bacteria that migrates into the urinary tract and bladder.
- Frequent Urination: If your pet’s UTI is sitting low, they could be feeling like they need to urinate much more than usual. This causes them pain as they won’t be urinating regularly. The infection may also cause them to dribble inside if they feel like they can’t wait until they’re outside.
- Cloudy Urine: If you happen to notice your pet’s urine is cloudy or discolored, this sign may indicate the need for a dog UTI treatment. Cloudy urine is another indication of a UTI, along with blood or any other discoloration.
- Lack of Appetite: Your fuzzy friend may lose his or her appetite due to a urinary tract infection. While this is less common, when combined with other symptoms, this may lead to further proof that your dog is suffering from a UTI.
- Licking Near Urinary Opening: Licking near their urinary opening can also be a sign of a UTI. If your dog is excessively licking near their urinary opening, they may be trying to offset their discomfort.
Leaving Dog UTIs Untreated
Ignoring prime symptoms lead to complications for your pup. When UTIs are left untreated, they may cause secondary issues for your four-legged friend. And the biggest complication for your dog would lead to fatal consequences. When the urinary tract becomes infected, that infection could spread to their kidneys. If the kidneys become infected, they stop filtering toxins and can lead to kidney failure. This is, of course, in extreme cases of unattended UTIs. Other issues that arise when leaving dog UTIs untreated are bladder stones, incontinence, bladder ruptures, and more. Knowing the signs so you can take your dog to the vet is paramount in keeping your pup happy and healthy.Traditional Dog UTI Treatment Options
When you’ve determined your dog may have a UTI, taking them to the vet is the first step. Your veterinarian will run tests to see if indeed they have a UTI. These tests may be a urinalysis or urine culture which will show if there’s bacteria in their urine. If the test shows bacteria, the doctor will prescribe a round of antibiotics for your pet. Usually, a round of antibiotics will be for 7-14 days to ensure the bacteria eliminates itself from your dog’s system. The antibiotics for dog UTI treatment are easily given to your pet in treat pouches or wrapped in small pieces of cheese.Natural Solutions for Dog UTI Treatment
While antibiotics are necessary to eradicate the infection, using herbal remedies to help ease some of the pain your dog may be experiencing is possible. Speak to your vet first about what may work best for your pet. Some great herbal remedies for your pet are probiotics found in foods like plain yogurts or supplements, cranberry supplements, or Ester-C tablets. These natural solutions will help them on their road to recovery.Dog UTI Prevention
Keeping your pup free from needing dog UTI treatment is simple. Some preventative measures you can take are:- Clean, Fresh Water: Keeping fresh water on hand for your little gal or guy not only helps them stay hydrated but also cleans their system internally.
- Clean Spaces: Pet beds, blankets, or anywhere they are should be kept clean to ward off infection.
- Routine Grooming: Maintaining your pet’s cleanliness prevents the spread of illness.
- Activity: Your pet’s health includes exercise too! Be sure to keep them active with their favorite games and walking.