Tuesday, January 15, 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 dirty food and water, the canine's external urinary orifice is where bacteria can enter through the dog-this is known as ascending UTI. Other times, the animal's nervous system is unable to totally eliminate urine from the bladder which leads to more infections. This, as well as cysts found in the bladder are other causes of UTI in dogs that needs to be detected early to avoid more serious health complications.

Urinary tract infections are usually settled easily enough through uncomplicated natural home remedies. However, in order to not have to resort to medical treatments to cure UTI, you must familiarize yourself with the symptoms that pertain to this disease. Otherwise, the infection may get worse and your dog's life will be put on the line.

Symptoms of UTI can be seen in his urinating pattern, as well as the look of the actual urine. Be aware when your pet displays unusual and extreme thirstiness. Dehydration is a sure sign that his body is attempting to mend itself from something going wrong inside him. Urinating often is also a sign of UTI. A lot of times, you will find the canine peeing in odd places around your house.

Inspect the urine of your pet. A rank smell and bloody urine is a red flag you should look out for. The complete absence of urine indicates that the animal is in the more progressive stages of the sickness. Also, a UTI suffering dog will have pain in his abdomen. If these signs are present, you must immediately have them checked by your veterinarian.

Learning the symptoms and what causes urinary tract infections in dogs is essential to educate you on what to do to avoid this disease from coming upon your pet. Inhibit the bacteria that cause UTI by maintaining clean surroundings, providing clean water and uncontaminated food to your pet. These small adjustments you make will more than compensate for medical bills you don't need to pay for because you have a healthy and happy dog.




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