Did you know a urinary tract infection in dogs isn’t all that uncommon? It’s true. While they’re similar to UTIs in humans, there’s still more info you need to know, so keep reading.
Urinary Tract Infection Defined
A urinary tract infection is precisely that: an infection in the urinary tract and urethra. It makes it difficult to urinate. Most of the time, dogs (and humans) need to urinate, but sometimes they just might not be able to, or they do it just a little bit. When a human gets a UTI, they know immediately and can take medication. It’s not that hard to diagnose. But, like all infections and diseases with dogs, it’s a lot more complicated simply because the dog can’t speak!
Clinical Signs & Symptoms
It’s important to note the symptoms whenever anything is wrong with your dog. Telling these to the veterinarian will help a lot. You may see these in your dog:
- The need to pee (frequent urination). This is the number one sign of a UTI.
- She was peeing inside even if they were house-trained.
- She was crying, whimpering, panting, or barking in a way that was painful to hear.
- Urine drops here and there.
- Blood in the urine (this, however, could be indicative of something much more severe).
If you see any problems with your dog when they are trying to go to the bathroom, by all means, take him to the vet!
What can cause a UTI in Dogs (or Cats)?
Usually, urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria or even hot summer days. It could also have to do with something they ate or drank. For a cat, a litter box can have bacteria that cause a UTI. Most UTIs are bacterial infections. In most cases, female dogs will be more prone to UTIs than male dogs in some breeds; male dogs can be at a greater risk. This is why it’s important to remember that any breed of dog, male or female, can get a UTI.
Diagnosing & Treatment of a UTI in a Dog
The vet will likely hear what you say about the dog’s symptoms, give a physical examination, and prescribe medication if they think it’s a UTI. These are antibiotics that will take care of the bacteria. Sometimes, the vet may want to do a urine culture or urinalysis, though this usually isn’t done on the first visit.
Many times…
A UTI comes along with other problems like bladder infections or kidney stones. Suppose your dog still seems to have issues after the antibiotics. There may be a secondary problem in that case, and an entirely separate treatment must be administered to address that. Your vet will use radiographs, bloodwork, urine cultures from a urine sample, and possibly X-rays to make another diagnosis.
Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs
You may have heard some home remedies, like cranberry juice or apple cider vinegar, cure a UTI. The truth is, these may or may not work, and if they do, they take a lot longer than whatever Treatment your vet recommends. Skip the experimenting and head to the vet, so your dog can find relief from pain!
This brings us to…
Were we like to remind folks that we here at IndulgeYourPet are not doctors, veterinarians, or medical professionals. We are all a bunch of folks passionate about animals and only want what’s best for them. If you feel your pet may have a urinary tract infection (or any other health issue), you will want to have them checked out by a vet ASAP!
Because…
An early diagnosis will often lead to the “best” medical outcome for your pet regardless of what is bothering them, but beyond that, diagnosing a medical condition early could save you a bundle in medical costs!
Cost of Treating a UTI in a Dog
The cost of treating an essential UTI isn’t that much. It should only be the cost of a single vet visit and the antibiotics. Let’s say $200 or so. Maybe cheaper if you’re lucky. That said, it gets pricey, however, if there are secondary conditions. If your dog has stones, then he may even need surgery. This could cost $500 or more. It could even cost more than $1000, depending on where you live (the cost of living makes vets more expensive in some areas). This is also why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
