Did you know a urinary tract infection in dogs isn’t all that uncommon? It’s true. While they’re really similar to UTIs in humans, there’s still some more info you need to know, so keep reading.
What is a Urinary Tract Infection in Dogs?
A urinary tract infection is exactly that: an infection in the urinary tract and urethra. It makes it difficult to urinate. Most of the time, dogs (and humans) have the 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 right away 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
Whenever anything is wrong with your dog, it’s important to take note of the symptoms. 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.
- Peeing inside even if he/she is house trained.
- Crying, whimpering, panting or barking in a way that’s painful to hear.
- Urine drops here and there.
- Blood in the urine (this, however, could be indicative of something much more serious).
If you see any problems with your dog when he or she is trying to go to the bathroom, by all means, take him to the vet!
What Causes UTIs in Dogs (and Cats)?
Usually urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria or even hot summer days. It could also have to do with something he/she ate or drank. For a cat, a litter box can have bacteria that causes a UTI. Most UTIs are bacterial infections.
We should point out that…
In most cases, female dogs will be more prone to UTIs than male dogs in some breeds, male dogs can actually 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 have to say about the dog’s symptoms, give a physical examination, and prescribe medication if he/she thinks it’s a UTI. These are antibiotics that will take care of the bacteria. In some cases, 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. If your dog still seems to have problems after the antibiotics, then there may be a secondary problem, and an entirely separate treatment will have to 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 that there are some home remedies that cure a UTI like cranberry juice or apple cider vinegar. 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!
Which brings us to…
Were we like to remind folks that we here at IndulgeYourPet are not doctors, veterinarians or medical professionals. All we are is a bunch of folks who just happen to be passionate about animals and only want what’s best for them.
This is why…
If you feel like your pet may have urinary tract infection (or any other health issue for that matter) the first thing that you’re going to want to do is have him or her check out by a vet ASAP!
Because…
The truth is, an early diagnosis will often lead to the “best” medical outcome for your pet regardless of what is bothering him or her, 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 a basic UTI isn’t going to be 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 a surgery. This could cost $500 or more. It could even cost more than $1000, depending on where you live (cost of living makes vets more expensive in some areas).
This is 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 right 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.
