Has your pet’s pee been a little irregular lately? It could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Learn the symptoms of urinary tract infections and how to help your pet get back to normal.
What are UTIs?
Urinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs and cats is a common type of bacterial infection of the urinary tract. This can occur when various foreign bacteria pass through the body’s natural barriers and enter the cat or dog’s urinary tract. The most common are naturally occurring bacteria originating from the gut or skin. These bacterial invaders take up residence anywhere in the urinary system and cause infections.
Some pets are more prone to developing urinary tract infections than others. Like humans, female dogs and cats are more prone to urinary tract infections than males. Urinary tract infections are also common in older animals and pets with other medical problems such as kidney disease, diabetes, and conditions that compromise the immune system.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Dogs and cats have many common signs of urinary tract infections, including:
- strain to urinate
- discomfort when urinating
- Increased frequency of small urination
- accident in the house
- decreased urine output
- bloody or cloudy urine
- foul-smelling urine
- Excessive grooming around the genitals
Some or any of these symptoms may be enough to see a veterinarian, but you may not actually know if your pet has a urinary tract infection. Many animals hide their symptoms and behave relatively normally, making it difficult to identify the problem. In fact, many pets end up seeing a veterinarian for a seemingly unrelated problem, only to be tested to confirm they had a urinary tract infection all along (so folks, Please continue to check regularly).
The most common method of testing for urinary tract infections in dogs and cats is a urinalysis, which examines urine for signs of infection. But don’t worry. You probably don’t need your pet to pee in a cup.
Most urine samples are obtained by bladder puncture. Bladder punctures look scary but are minimally invasive, in which a veterinarian inserts a long needle directly into the bladder to collect a clean urine sample en route from the body. Cultures and susceptibility tests can then be performed to identify the exact type of target bacteria and prescribe the most effective antibiotics.
Oddly enough, a urinary tract infection is often the best-case scenario when it comes to urinary tract problems.many urinary problems can be a symptom of a urinary tract infection again It may be an indicator of more serious medical conditions ranging from: bladder stones to cancer. This means your veterinarian may perform a variety of tests to look for urinary tract infections or rule out other pressing medical problems before making a final diagnosis. .
process
Fortunately, treating urinary tract infections is relatively easy. For most urinary tract infections in dogs and cats, veterinarians immediately prescribe common antibiotics to start reducing the number of harmful bacteria.
Once we have the urine culture results, we may switch to a different antibiotic that more specifically targets the unique bacteria your pet is being treated for. In most cases, 7 to 14 days of antibiotics can completely resolve the problem. Veterinarians may also prescribe pain relievers to pets who are distressed while urinating to help them feel more comfortable as they recover.
A urinary tract infection itself is usually a minor problem, but if untreated, a bladder infection can turn into an infection of the kidneys or cause an internal blockage in the urinary tract, it can lead to more serious medical problems. can cause technical problems. Even if your pet’s symptoms seem mild, it’s important to go to your local veterinarian for treatment. Prompt action can prevent future health problems.
It’s also important to replenish your pet’s healthy gut bacteria after antibiotic treatment, as antibiotic treatment wipes out the good bacteria along with the bad.Make sure your pet is consuming healthy amounts probiotics their gut health Get back in top shape to keep your digestion regular and your body healthy.
You can give probiotic supplements or give your dog a urinary tract infection. A diet rich in probiotics (so is the cat)! Check with your veterinarian to see if they recommend using probiotics in conjunction with prescribed antibiotics or waiting until treatment is complete.
recurrent infections
Although most pets will return to normal toileting habits after treatment, your pet may experience: another A urinary tract infection soon. Unfortunately, some pets are naturally prone to recurrent urinary tract infections.
There are various medical conditions that make pets more susceptible to recurrent infections. Other urinary tract diseases and conditions that compromise your pet’s immune system can predispose them to urinary tract infections. Additionally, some pets may have physical habits that make it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract.
You should also consider environmental factors that can introduce unhealthy bacteria to your pet. One of the most common ways this happens is through food and water. Stagnant water can start breeding bacteria within as little as 24 hours, so it’s essential to change your pet’s water regularly.
Do not leave pet food for a long time Make sure you follow the instructions on your chosen pet food package for proper storage conditions. A large bag full of grains can spoil faster than you think. Don’t forget to wash your pet’s bowl thoroughly with soap on a regular basis as well. Simply scooping up leftover food is not enough to prevent bacterial growth.
Finally, pets who have multiple urinary tract infections or other infections that require antibiotic treatment may begin to experience antibiotic resistance. This means that over time, bacteria in the body can begin to adapt to antibiotics, making them less effective. If this happens to your pet, you and your veterinarian should work together to come up with new treatment strategies, such as switching to newer types of antibiotics or other alternative treatments.
prevention
As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and that’s definitely true for urinary tract infections. If you know your pet is prone to urinary tract infections, you can make a few simple routine and environmental adjustments to keep them in the best possible condition and reduce the chance of infection. can do.
- Drinking plenty of water flushes harmful bacteria out of your urinary tract, so make sure you always have fresh water available. If your pet is fussy about drinking water, consider trying a pet waterer with running water to keep bacteria at bay and make the water more appealing to your pet.
- Vigorous exercise will make your pet thirsty. That means you’ll be drinking more water to flush your body out. In addition, good physical health supports the functioning of the immune system and the body as a whole.
- Always provide fresh food and water in clean bowls, and remove leftovers and standing water before bacteria can grow.
- Talk to your veterinarian about the underlying cause of urinary tract infections in your pet. Treating the underlying cause is always the most effective solution if you have other symptoms that make you susceptible to infection.
Urinary tract infections can be uncomfortable for pets, but we have all the information you need to help your pet feel better as soon as possible. Over time, they will spend less time worrying about potty breaks and more time interfering with your every move for your pet. It is a matter of course.