A urinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs occurs when bacteria attack the dog's immune system. In many cases, a UTI is not detected in dogs, and sometimes there are no signs at all. This disease causes pain when urinating, and has the potential to cause other health problems. To prevent pain and discomfort in your dog, take early prevention of UTIs.
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Part 1 of 2: Preventing UTIs
Step 1. Make sure your dog is well looked after
You should keep the back area of your pet as clean as possible. UTIs are generally more common in female dogs than males, because of the shape of the female genitalia and because of its position close to the anus. The female dog's genitals are very exposed, and can be an entry point for contamination of residual feces from the anus.
- Regardless of the gender of your dog, trim the hair around the buttocks and genital area. This reduces the risk of dirt or bacteria from mud/soil sticking to the dog's genitals.
- If your dog is dirty, give him a bath and make sure that you clean his fur up to his genital area.
Step 2. It is recommended that the dog urinate regularly
The longer urine stays in the bladder, the higher the chance for bacteria to multiply. Urinating regularly removes bacteria from the bladder and reduces the risk of infection. Ideally, dogs should empty their bladder at least every 4 hours.
- An adult dog can hold urine for up to 8-10 hours, but that's not a good thing. Give your dog plenty of time to rest and pee.
- Let the dog out at night, and in the morning to reduce the amount of time he has to hold his urine at night.
Step 3. Provide him with plenty of drinking water
Bacteria secrete toxins that can injure the bladder tract and cause bacteria to stick and enter. When your dog drinks a lot, the water removes these toxins, reducing the risk of infection.
- Make sure your dog's trough is large, deep enough, and clean.
- Make sure there is always water in the drinking bowl. Don't leave the tumbler empty!
- Clean the drinking bowl every day and always change the water.
- If your dog is getting too old or has difficulty moving his legs, provide a water bottle in each room.
Step 4. Don't give your dog orange juice or other drinks that contain chemicals
You may have heard that orange juice is beneficial for the treatment of UTIs. In theory, this fluid can increase the acidity of the urine and kill the infection. Even so, there is a risk, namely causing the acidity level to be too high, which can actually cause kidney stones.
Continue to follow the diet according to the veterinarian's prescription, and do not turn to alternative treatments that have not been proven effective. Seek advice from your veterinarian
Step 5. Adopt a special diet for your dog
If your dog is prone to UTIs, visit your vet for special dietary advice. The ideal acidity level for dog urine is 6, 2-6, 4. Dog diet recipes can be tailored to produce the right urine acidity level.
- If you get a prescription in the form of ground dry food, help your dog get into the habit of drinking lots of water by placing water bottles in easy-to-reach locations.
- Wet food recipes contain more water than dry food, and are more likely to help the dog stay hydrated. However, wet food is inconvenient and often produces smellier stools when the dog defecates.
Part 2 of 2: Recognizing and Treating UTIs
Step 1. Pay attention to the urgency of urination in your dog
Pay attention if your dog asks to be removed more often than usual. Chances are, he will continue to do so, as if always in an emergency. Increased urgency to urinate is one of the symptoms of a UTI.
You may also notice repeated urination (squatting or lifting 1 leg) without passing urine. The dog feels the need/want to urinate, but he can't pass urine
Step 2. Observe for blood in the urine
This can be difficult, as dogs often urinate on the grass. If your dog is suspected of having a UTI, watch the urine as it escapes in the air, before it hits the ground. If you see blood, take your dog to the vet immediately.
Step 3. Take the aging dog for regular medical check-ups
Older dogs with health problems such as kidney or diabetes tend to drink more water to adjust to their condition. This can result in an infection that may be asymptomatic, due to the increased frequency of urination. There is bacteria in his urine, but not enough to cause any noticeable symptoms of discomfort.
- The only way to detect a subclinical infection is with a urine test. Some veterinarians recommend this method for older dogs, as part of a routine medical check-up.
- If your dog has a history of subclinical infection, he should have a urine test every 3 to 6 months.
Step 4. Take your dog to the vet if a UTI is suspected
The infected part of the UTI indicates the presence of an infectious disease, for example due to bacteria. This condition requires medical attention, so he should be taken to the vet as soon as possible. If possible, bring a urine sample to speed up the diagnosis.
Step 5. See a veterinarian if the infection recurs
If you've been trying to take steps to prevent a UTI but your dog keeps experiencing it again and again, chances are there is a more serious health problem causing the UTI. These problems can weaken your dog's immune system or weaken his bladder health, causing him to develop a UTI. Identification and treatment of problems will reduce the risk of UTIs. Ask your vet about possible causes for your dog's problems. Possible ways of identification include:
- Blood tests: veterinarians can check for conditions that might make the dog drink more and poor urine conditions (kidneys, liver, diabetes)
- Imaging (ultrasonography): the use of ultrasound technology can find the presence of tumors, bladder cancer, urinary stones, and other problems in the bladder tract.
- Urine deposition examination: Your veterinarian can observe crystal deposits in your dog's urine with a microscope, to determine the problem.
