Sunday, March 24, 2013

Discover the Symptoms and Causes of UTI in Dogs

By Geraldine Dimarco


Sometimes people think that UTI only occurs to human beings-this is not the case. Urinary tract infection is a condition that strikes the animal kingdom more often than it does in people. While it is not a rare and dangerous ailment, it is an ailment nonetheless and learning about it will help us in keeping our beloved pets safe from it.

You might be asking, what causes urinary tract infections in dogs? Is UTI an ailment that you can prevent and what are the symptoms that indicate if the dog has already contracted it?

Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, pseudomonas, coagulase positive straphylococcus, esterococcus, or klebsiella are the main causes of UTI in dogs. These are organisms that find its way inside the dog's system through unclean food and water. When it penetrates the system and is not treated properly, it may cause severe inflammation in the bladder and urethra of the animal. This is why female dogs have a higher risk of contracting urinary infections-they have shorter urethras.

Aside from contaminated water and food, bacteria gains access to the canine's internal system through his external urinary orifice. This is more commonly known as ascending UTI. In some cases, the nervous system is weak and cannot expel urine completely from the bladder which will lead to infection to other organs. This malfunctioning of the nervous system, as well as bladder tumors, are other causes of UTI in dogs that should be exposed early to steer clear of serious health complications.

More often than not, urinary tract infections can be resolved through simple home remedies. However, for your pet not to need medical intervention to treat the urinary infections-you must be familiar with the symptoms of UTI. If not, the infection will spread and may cause serious damage to the other organs, putting your dog's life in jeopardy.

The most obvious symptoms of UTI are seen in his urinating habits, and the appearance of the urine itself. Watch out for unusual and excessive thirst in the dog. Dehydration is an indication that his body is trying to cope with something that is wrong internally. Frequent urination is another sign of UTI. Sometimes, you will notice that the dog will pee in unusual places around the house.

Inspect your pet's urine. If it is bloody and emits a foul smell, it is not good. No urine at all is indicative that the canine is in the more advanced stages of a bladder sickness. Also, abdominal pain is a sign of UTI. If all these symptoms are manifesting, you must go to the vet and have the dog checked immediately.

Finding out what causes urinary tract infection in dogs and the symptoms you should watch out for will greatly help in keeping your pet safe from contracting it. UTI can be prevented by maintaining a clean living environment for the dog, and ensuring that the food he ingests is as fresh as possible. Provide fresh and distilled water as often as possible to wash out any unwanted toxins and organisms that may be present in the dog.




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