Looking After Pets

Dog urinary infection often comes as a surprise to pet owners, but it’s fairly common.  After being caught off-guard, many dog owners have questions about dog bladder infection.  Here are answers to your questions.

What Is A Dog Bladder Infection?

Canine urinary tract infection is caused by a bacterial infection.  Your vet may refer to it as an “ascending” infection.Your dog’s intestinal tract is usually the source of the bacteria that causes dog bladder infection.  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 Infection?

Yes.  Your dog may have bladder stones, which can make it easier for him to develop canine urinary tract 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 Of Dog Urinary Infection Should I Be Watching For?

Dogs with bladder problems may have blood in their urine or urinate frequently or strain to pass urine.

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 urinary tract infection.

How Does Your Vet Diagnose Dog Bladder Infection?

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 infection 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 Does My Pet’s Dog Bladder Infection Keep Coming Back?

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.

Can Natural Remedies For Dogs Help?

People have been using safe, effective, natural treatments for bladder infections for centuries.  Many pet owners ask if natural remedies for dogs can help dogs with canine urinary tract infection.

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 remedies are easy to give to your pet every day to prevent bladder infection in dogs, besides being safe and effective.

If you’re tired of watching your pet suffer from canine urinary tract infection, click on any link in this article to learn more about natural remedies for dogs.

If you’re like most dog owners, you’ve probably never even heard of canine bladder stones.But you’ll need your questions answered if it happens to your dog.

How Do I Know If Bladder Stones In Dogs Are Causing A Problem?

The following symptoms are clues that your dog could be suffering from this condition:

• Repeated bladder infections in dogs, especially if the same bacteria is causing them
• Bloody or rust-colored urine
• Straining to urinate
• Unable to pass much, if any, urine

These stones do show up on x-rays, so your vet will want to take some if he or she suspects stones are present.

Are There Different Types Of Canine Bladder Stones?

Yes.  The two most common types are struvite and calcium oxalate.It’s necessary to determine what kind of bladder stone your dog has because the different types of stones have different treatments.  The easiest way to do this is to analyze a stone, so if your dog passes one, be sure to save it.

Even if you don’t have a stone, a urinalysis and a dog urine culture can help your vet determine which type of stone it is.Staphylococci bacteria almost always cause a dog bladder infection that produces struvite type stones.

Also, struvite stones in dogs form in alkaline urine, while calcium oxalate stones form in acid urine.

Are All Dogs Susceptible To This Problem?

Unfortunately, most female dogs are susceptible to struvite stones, as 85% of dogs with this problem are female.  Beagles, miniature schnauzers, and English cocker spaniels are the breeds at highest risk.

How Are Bladder Stones In Dogs Treated?

Most of the time, struvite stones will dissolve on their own once the dog bladder infection is gone, so it’s very important to treat that infection.

If getting rid of the infection doesn’t work, your vet may want you to feed your dog a special diet to dissolve the stones.Even if your dog doesn’t like the food, this is the only thing she’s allowed to eat during the treatment period, which can last up to six months.

Your vet will want to keep your dog on antibiotics while she’s on the special diet.  This is because bacteria are embedded in the stones, and they’re released as the stone dissolves.

If there is a canine urinary tract blockage, surgery may be necessary to remove the stones.

How Does Natural Treatment For Dog Bladder Infection Help?

Since bladder stones in dogs usually form only when a bladder infection is present, it makes sense to prevent infections from occurring.In hopes of preventing this condition, many dog owners are turning to herbal remedies for pets.

The best thing about a natural treatment for dogs is that you can give it right along with antibiotic therapy.  It doesn’t interfere in any way with the action of the drugs, plus it supports bladder health in dogs naturally.

You’ll want to look for a remedy that contains uva ursi, and barberry, along with the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagria.  These remedies have stood the test of time for preventing and treating bladder infections.  It’s also important that the remedy you choose is formulated specifically for pets, not people, and is easy to give.

Do yourself and your dog a favor, and prevent the bladder infections in dogs that lead to canine bladder stones.  Click on any link in this article to learn how.

Dog urinary infection is a surprisingly common problems for our canine friends.  After being caught off-guard, many dog owners have questions about dog bladder infection.  Here are answers to your questions.

What Causes A Dog Bladder Infection?

A bacterial infection of your dog’s bladder is the culprit behind canine urinary tract infection.  Your vet may refer to it as an “ascending” infection.  Most of the time the bacteria that cause dog bladder infection come from the 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 Infection?

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

If your dog is unable to empty his bladder completely, or has a bladder tumor, or has diabetes or Cushing’s, these things can predispose him to bladder infections.  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 Of Dog Urinary Infection Should I Be Watching For?

Bloody urine, frequent urination, and straining to pass urine are common signs seen in dogs with bladder problems.

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 urinary tract infection.

How Does Your Vet Diagnose Dog Bladder Infection?

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 infection 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 just stop giving your canine friend the antibiotic.

Why Does My Pet’s Dog Bladder Infection Keep Coming Back?

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.

Can Natural Remedies For Dogs Help?

People have been using safe, effective, natural treatments for bladder infections for centuries.  Many pet owners ask if natural remedies for dogs can help dogs with canine urinary tract infection.

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.Prevent bladder infection in dogs in the first place with safe, effective remedies that you can easily give your pet every day.

If you’re tired of watching your pet suffer from dog urinary infection, click on any link in this article to learn more about natural remedies for dogs.

If you’re like most dog owners, you’ve probably never even heard of canine bladder stones.If this happens to your dog, you’ll want to get answers to all the questions you’ll have. 

How Do I Know If Bladder Stones In Dogs Are Causing A Problem?

The following symptoms are clues that your dog could be suffering from this condition:

• Repeated bladder infections in dogs, especially if the same bacteria is causing them
• Bloody or rust-colored urine
• Straining to urinate
• Unable to pass much, if any, urine

These stones do show up on x-rays, so your vet will want to take some if he or she suspects stones are present.

Are There Different Types Of Canine Bladder Stones?

Yes.  The two most common types are struvite and calcium oxalate.  It’s really important to find out what kind of bladder stone your dog has because treatments are entirely different.  The easiest way to do this is to analyze a stone, so if your dog passes one, be sure to save it.

Even if you don’t have a stone, a urinalysis and a dog urine culture can help your vet determine which type of stone it is.  A dog bladder infection caused by Staphylococci bacteria will almost always produce struvite type stones. 

Also, struvite stones in dogs form in alkaline urine, while calcium oxalate stones form in acid urine.

Are All Dogs Susceptible To This Problem?

Unfortunately, most female dogs are susceptible to struvite stones, as 85% of dogs with this problem are female.  Beagles, miniature schnauzers, and English cocker spaniels are the breeds at highest risk. 

How Are Bladder Stones In Dogs Treated?

Most of the time, struvite stones will dissolve on their own once the dog bladder infection is gone, so it’s very important to treat that infection. 

A special diet to dissolve the stones may be needed if treating the infection doesn’t work.Even if your dog doesn’t like the food, this is the only thing she’s allowed to eat during the treatment period, which can last up to six months. 

Your vet will want to keep your dog on antibiotics while she’s on the special diet.  This is because bacteria are embedded in the stones, and they’re released as the stone dissolves.

If there is a canine urinary tract blockage, surgery may be necessary to remove the stones.

How Does Natural Treatment For Dog Bladder Infection Help?

Since bladder stones in dogs usually form only when a bladder infection is present, it makes sense to prevent infections from occurring.Many dog owners are using herbal remedies for pets in an effort to prevent this problem.

The best thing about a natural treatment for dogs is that you can give it right along with antibiotic therapy.  It doesn’t interfere in any way with the action of the drugs, plus it supports bladder health in dogs naturally.

You’ll want to look for a remedy that contains uva ursi, and barberry, along with the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagria.  These remedies have stood the test of time for preventing and treating bladder infections.  It’s also important that the remedy you choose is formulated specifically for pets, not people, and is easy to give.

Do yourself and your dog a favor, and prevent the bladder infections in dogs that lead to canine bladder stones.