| Just like having a child, owning a dog is a great | | | | If you should notice any changes in your dog's |
| responsibility. Not only is this dog dependent on | | | | urination habits, it might be a good idea to have |
| your food and for water, but they are also | | | | them checked by a veterinarian. You know your |
| dependent on you for the proper health care. In | | | | dog best, so even the slightest change in behavior |
| order to be the best owner you can, you need to | | | | might be an indicator of something wrong. |
| learn about some of the more common health | | | | As a responsible dog owner, it's best to watch |
| problems that can occur with your dog. This will | | | | your dog's urination habits anyway to be sure |
| allow you to spot problems before they become | | | | they are staying well hydrated. |
| too serious, saving not only your dog, but also | | | | How Will a Urinary Tract Infection be Treated? |
| your rising veterinarian costs. Urinary tract | | | | When you take your dog into the vet's office, |
| infections are commonplace in some breeds of | | | | they will have to get a urine sample in order to |
| dogs - here's what you need know. | | | | test for bacteria. If you can do this beforehand, |
| What is a Urinary Tract Infection? | | | | that's ideal, making sure not to contaminate the |
| Just as with any disease, when bacteria get into | | | | sample with your fingers or with any dirt from |
| the body and reproduce without being stopped, it | | | | the dog. |
| can lead to an infection. When too many bacteria | | | | If the urine tests positive for bacteria or for |
| somehow get into the urinary tract of a dog, this | | | | blood, the vet will then begin a course of antibiotic |
| can lead to a urinary tract infection. This is seen | | | | treatment to help the infection resolve. This |
| more often in female dogs than male dogs | | | | treatment can last up to ten days and may |
| because they have a shorter urethra and thus | | | | require additional medications if the first round of |
| bacteria can accumulate here more rapidly. | | | | medicine doesn't work. |
| There are a number of places where the bacteria | | | | It's very important that the dog receive all of the |
| can also accumulate in dogs. For females, it's in | | | | prescribed medication as instructed by the vet. If |
| their vaginal area while for males the prostate | | | | your dog should have troubles with the |
| area can hold bacteria. When this bacteria is then | | | | medication, refuse to take it, or have an upset |
| somehow transferred to the urethra and into the | | | | stomach, be sure to talk to your vet about |
| urinary tract. | | | | alternatives. |
| Also known as a UTI or acute cystitis, a urinary | | | | You will also want to remember that human |
| tract infection is not necessarily harmful to a dog | | | | medications like antibiotics are not necessarily in |
| in the early stages. And in many cases, a dog will | | | | the right doses for dogs, so you should never |
| have a UTI for a long time without any | | | | give them antibiotics from your shelf or try any |
| symptoms. In other situations, the infection may | | | | alternative treatments with a vet's approval. |
| also resolve on its own without any medical | | | | What Can You Do to Prevent a Urinary Tract |
| intervention. | | | | Infection? |
| But if a urinary tract infection is left alone for too | | | | While a urinary tract infection is common, that |
| long, it can cause a more severe infection in the | | | | doesn't mean that there aren't ways to help |
| dog, often moving to other organs and causing | | | | prevent its occurrence. Here are some simple |
| the dog to become very ill. It's best that any | | | | ways to make sure bacteria stays out and away |
| signs of a urinary tract infection by checked by a | | | | from your dog: |
| licensed vet to be sure that your dog doesn't | | | | - Bathe your dog regularly |
| require treatment. | | | | - Make sure that your dog is drinking ample |
| What are the Signs of a Urinary Tract Infection? | | | | amounts of clean water each day |
| Since a dog can not tell you their symptoms, it's | | | | - Take your dog out every few hours to allow |
| up to you to keep your eyes open for signs of a | | | | them to urinate regularly and prevent the buildup |
| urinary tract infection. These signs can include: | | | | of bacteria in their bladder |
| - Blood in the urine | | | | - Make sure to walk your dog regularly as this |
| - Fatigue and lethargy | | | | stimulates the bladder |
| - Fever | | | | Your dog may have a urinary tract infection at |
| - Foul smelling urine | | | | one point in their life, no matter what you do. But |
| - Straining when urinating | | | | knowing what to look out for and how to |
| - Tender lower stomach area | | | | minimize the risk will help you keep your dog as |
| - Urinating in inappropriate places | | | | healthy as possible. |