Do you find your furry friend often straining to urinate, only to pee in small amounts? Does he make painful groans when doing so? Does he go more frequently these days, and often, without signal? Does his urine seem cloudy and stronger-smelling than usual? If so, you might want to have him checked.
He might be suffering from a dog urinary tract infection.
Canine urinary tract infections are a common occurrence, affecting up to fifteen percent of all dogs.
Females tend to get them more often than males because like humans, the female urethra - the tube where urine passes through from the bladder - is shorter, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel all the way up to the bladder.
Too, as they get older, dogs tend to develop related problems such as obstructions (i.
e.
stones and crystals), which can contribute to UTIs.
Diabetic dogs are at increased risk as their condition makes it favorable for opportunistic bacteria to multiply faster.
Smaller breeds are also more predisposed to such condition such as Mini Schnauzers, pugs and Cocker Spaniels.
While a dog urinary tract infection is common, it can endanger your dog's health if left untreated, which makes early detection even more important for dog owners.
Be wary though that in early stages, dogs may not exhibit any symptoms - reason why UTIs usually go unnoticed.
It's important to keep a watchful eye on the frequency and characteristic of the urine for early treatment.
Consuming large amounts of water and any deviation from his normal urination pattern, including a sudden inability to hold urine and urinating too little, more frequently or less frequently can be early indications that your favorite pet has UTI.
Affected dogs can be found excessively licking their genitals as well, a mechanism that encourages urination.
As a result of straining, even trained dogs can soil unusual places at home.
Blood may be spotted in the urine, and your dog may refuse to eat and may seem debilitated.
Canine urinary tract infection also results to fever and vomiting.
Don't wait until he is whimpering in pain.
In such case, the infection may already be moderately advanced and may have affected the kidneys - a condition that requires more aggressive treatment, and is sadly, sometimes irreversible.
As in any medical condition, a well-maintained lifestyle and proper attention are the key here.
Keep your dogs well-hydrated.
A fresh bowl of water should always be accessible for your dog to be able to flush out bacteria.
Give him a daily dose of multivitamins, citrus supplements, and high-quality food to boost his immunity.
There are also natural homeopathic remedies especially formulated for dogs which promote urinary tract wellness.
Take him out for regular walks to encourage elimination.
A stationary lifestyle puts your dog at risk of developing UTIs.
Grooming-wise, make it a point to bathe him at least once a week and be sure to cleanse the anus and genitals as well.
Go easy on the soap though.
Harsh chemicals can disrupt the genital balance and increase bacteria colonies that cause canine urinary tract infection.
Clean water would be sufficient.
Most importantly, keep your veterinary visits in check.
Often owners only rush to their vets when something is obviously wrong.
Urinalysis and urine cultures are desirable at least once in six months, especially in older dogs.
This not only helps your doctor identify presence of dog urinary tract infection, but also gives him a general overview of how your pet's kidneys are doing.
Prevention is always the easiest way to prevent any disease in dogs.