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Posts Tagged ‘canine urinary tract infections’

You may be surprised to learn that many dog owners think that canine urinary tract infections are no big deal.  All you need to do is give your dog an antibiotic for a couple of weeks, and the problem’s solved, right?

Wrong.Being sure of whether or not your dog even has canine cystitis can sometimes be difficult.

Does My Dog Have A Canine Urinary Tract Infection?

As smart as dogs are, they can’t talk and tell us what their problem is.They use their behavior to let us know what’s going on with them.  If your dog has canine cystitis, she’ll try to tell you by her actions.

If you’ve ever had a bladder infection, you know that the main symptom is pain and burning when you urinate.If your dog is showing restless behavior, like whining and pacing around the house, she’s telling you she may have a problem.  She may want to go out again right away, even though she just came in.

Worse, she may urinate on the floor, your bed, or in other inappropriate areas.  Many dog owners mistakenly think this is a behavior problem.  Before you start looking for a dog trainer, rule out bladder infections in dogs first.

Tests Your Vet Should Do To Diagnose Canine Cystitis

Tests to diagnose a canine urinary tract infection include urinalysis, a dog urine culture, and a sensitivity test.

A urinalysis should be done to see if bacteria or stones are present in your dog’s urine.  If bacteria are found, a urine culture needs to be done to find out exactly which bacteria they are.  The sensitivity test will tell your vet the correct antibiotic to use.

The problem arises because urine culturing and sensitivity testing increases your vet bill by $25 to $100.  Some dog owners can’t afford the extra money, and others just won’t pay for it even it they can afford it.

So what happens?  Your vet ends up prescribing an antibiotic that may or may not kill the bacteria causing your dog’s bladder infection.

Why Using The Wrong Antibiotic Is A Bad Idea

The first reason is that you can spend a lot of time and money treating your dog with an antibiotic that won’t do the job.  Giving a dog an expensive antibiotic for two or three weeks is no picnic, so you don’t want to waste time with the wrong drug.

Secondly, if you skip the sensitivity test, you may be treating your dog with a drug that won’t kill the bacteria causing the infection.  This can lead to a life-threatening bacterial infection that’s very hard to treat.

An even more important reason to use the right drug is the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Can Bladder Infections In Dogs Be Prevented With Natural Remedies For Pets

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a safe, effective, natural remedy you could give your buddy every day to prevent bladder problems in dogs?  Well, you’ll be happy to know that there is.  This remedy is manufactured specifically for pets, not humans, which is very important.  And it’s made by a company with a great reputation for producing the highest-quality natural remedies for pets.

Click any link in this article to learn more about a safe, effective remedy for canine urinary tract infections.

You may be surprised to learn that many dog owners think that canine urinary tract infections are no big deal.  All you need to do is give your dog an antibiotic for a couple of weeks, and the problem’s solved, right?

Wrong.  Sometimes it’s hard to tell if your dog even has canine cystitis.

Does My Dog Have A Canine Urinary Tract Infection?

As smart as dogs are, they can’t talk and tell us what their problem is.Their behavior is the only way they have to communicate with us.  If your dog has canine cystitis, she’ll try to tell you by her actions.

If you’ve ever had a bladder infection, you know that the main symptom is pain and burning when you urinate.An unhappy dog will exhibit restless behavior, including pacing around the house and whining.  She may want to go out again right away, even though she just came in.

Worse, she may urinate on the floor, your bed, or in other inappropriate areas.  Many dog owners mistakenly think this is a behavior problem.  Before you start looking for a dog trainer, rule out bladder infections in dogs first.

Tests Your Vet Should Do To Diagnose Canine Cystitis

Urinalysis is the first test done to diagnose canine urinary infection, followed by a dog urine culture, and a sensitivity test. 

A urinalysis should be done to see if bacteria or stones are present in your dog’s urine.  If bacteria are found, a urine culture needs to be done to find out exactly which bacteria they are.  The sensitivity test will tell your vet the correct antibiotic to use.

The problem arises because urine culturing and sensitivity testing increases your vet bill by $25 to $100.  Some dog owners can’t afford the extra money, and others just won’t pay for it even it they can afford it. 

So what happens?  Your vet ends up prescribing an antibiotic that may or may not kill the bacteria causing your dog’s bladder infection.

Why Using The Wrong Antibiotic Is A Bad Idea

The first reason is that if you’re not using the right antibiotic, you can spend a lot of time and money with no results.  Giving a dog an expensive antibiotic for two or three weeks is no picnic, so you don’t want to waste time with the wrong drug.

Secondly, if you skip the sensitivity test, you may be treating your dog with a drug that won’t kill the bacteria causing the infection.  This can lead to a life-threatening bacterial infection that’s very hard to treat. 

An even more important reason to use the right drug is the problem of antibiotic resistance.

Natural Remedies For Pets Can Prevent Bladder Infections In Dogs

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a safe, effective, natural remedy you could give your buddy every day to prevent bladder problems in dogs?  Well, you’ll be happy to know that there is.  This remedy is manufactured specifically for pets, not humans, which is very important.  And it’s made by a company with a great reputation for producing the highest-quality products for pets. 

Now that you have this information, you can use natural remedies for pets to protect your dog from the pain and stress of canine urinary tract infections.

You may already know that bladder infections in dogs are a very common problem.  But quite a few dog owners have questions about canine urinary tract infections.  Here are answers to your questions.

What Is Canine Cystitis?

Your dog may develop an inflammation in his bladder in response to a bacterial infection.  Your vet may refer to it as an “ascending” infection.Bladder infection in dogs may be caused by the bacteria that are normally found in a dog’s own intestinal tract.  The bacteria start out at the skin around the anus, and “ascend” through the urethra to the bladder.

Are There Other Causes Of Canine Urinary Tract Infections?

Yes.  Your dog may have bladder stones, which can make it easier for him to develop a bladder infection.    

Other factors include tumors in the bladder, not being able to empty the bladder completely, and diseases like diabetes or Cushing’s disease.  If your dog is being given drugs that suppress the immune system, like cortisone or chemotherapy, he may be more prone to a bladder infection.

What Symptoms Should I Be Watching For?

Bloody urine, frequent urination, and straining to pass urine are all indicators of a bladder problem.

But sometimes it’s not so obvious.  If your dog is acting restless and wants to go out all the time, or starts urinating all over the house, this may not be a behavior problem.  It could be signs of a canine bladder infection.

How Does Your Vet Diagnose Canine Cystitis?

Ideally, your vet will run a urinalysis first to determine if there are bacteria or bladder stones in your dog’s urine.  If bacteria are present, the next step should be a dog urine culture and a sensitivity test.  

A urine culture is necessary to identify which bacteria are present.  The sensitivity test tells your vet which antibiotic is the best one to do the job.  

Do I Really Have To Give My Dog ALL The Antibiotic?

Absolutely.  If you stop treating bladder infections in dogs too soon, the infection can come back.  Plus, stopping the treatment too soon encourages antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.  

If your dog has side effects from the antibiotic, contact your vet.Don’t use this as an excuse to stop giving your dog the medication.

Why Can’t My Dog Get Rid Of HIs Bladder Infection?

It’s possible that it’s the same infection that was never completely eradicated.  A dog urine culture and sensitivity test should be done before you treat him again.  After treatment is over, you can see if it was successful by repeating these tests.

How About Natural Remedies For Pets?

Safe and effective remedies for human bladder problems have been used for centuries.  Many dog owners ask if natural remedies for pets can help dogs with canine cystitis.

Make no mistake about it, the answer is yes.  But you do need to be sure you’re using remedies gentle enough for animals, not people.  Do your homework and purchase your remedies only from a company with a great reputation for producing the highest-quality herbal remedies for pets.These safe, effective remedies are easy to give your your dog every day to prevent bladder problems from ever starting.

Take the next step and learn how these remedies can help protect your best buddy from canine urinary tract infections.