Urinarily Tract Infections (UTI) are very painful. Sometimes to the point where it’s almost unbearable. Your pup feels the same pain that you would so it’s important to know how to tell if they have a UTI and how to treat it. Here is all the information you need to know about dog UTI’s.
What Causes UTI’s?
UTI’s are caused when the bacteria that is supposed to exit in their urine and poop ends up getting into their genitals, bladder, prostate, and kidneys. The bacteria that end up in the wrong places cause the urinary tract to become inflamed, this is what causes the excruciating pain. All dogs can get a UTI however dogs that are forced to hold in their urine on a regular basis are more prone as well as older female dogs.
How to Tell if Your Dog has a UTI
Luckily, UTI’s are relatively easy to spot if you know the symptoms. The symptoms include:
- Peeing frequently but only a little
- Blood in urine
- Barking or crying during urination
- Peeing inside
- Pushing to urinate
- Licking genital
- Unusual whining
How to Treat UTI
If your dog starts exhibiting multiple of the symptoms above, especially blood in urine, you should get your dog into a vet as soon as you can. Remember, your dog is in pain so the sooner you can ease that the better. The infections spreads further, the symptoms become worse, and the UTI gets harder to treat the longer you wait so do not prolonged the vet visit.
Once you get to the vet, your vet will take a urine sample from your dog and most likely put them on antibiotics right away. This should slowly ease the symptoms and stop the infection. You should schedule a couple follow up appointments with your vet to ensure that the infection is surely gone. If the UTI had spread into your dogs kidneys or prostate, your vet may require more to be done.
How to Prevent UTI’s
The best thing that you can to for your dog to prevent a dog UTI is to make sure that they always have plenty of fresh water to drink and get plenty of bathroom breaks throughout the day. That’s really all there is to it.
UTI’s can be serious but if you know the symptoms and take your dog to the vet right away when they start happening, the UTI should be able to treat relatively quick and easy with antibiotics. Preventative measures such as providing plenty of water should greatly decrease the likelihood of your pup getting a UTI.
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Emma Wally is the founder of thedoggeeks.com, a website for dog owners in the UK and the rest of the world. Emma has a lifelong love of dogs and has devoted years to learning and training dogs of various kinds and ages.
Emma’s Experience
Emma’s love for dogs and animals started as a child with looking after many different pets from fish, to dogs and even sheep. This love for animals led her into the world of dog training; with a real passion in positive reinforcement techniques.
Dog training specialist
Emma has completed multiple certifications in dog training, focussing on positive reinforcement techniques.
Puppy socialisation group
Emma is also the founder of 'Stony Stratford Puppy and Dog Group'. This growing community of dog enthusiasts provides weekly socialistion for new puppies and dogs wanting to integrate into socialisation, as well as giving specialist training advice for dog owners wanting to address problems... Or just wanting to give their pup the best life they can!
Meet Kobe!
Kobe is Emma's current fluffy best friend. Being a Tibetan Terrier she can be stubborn at times but has the biggest personality for such a small dog.
Passionate about Dogs
Emma Wally is more than just a dog trainer; she is a mentor, a guide, and a friend to all dog owners seeking to build a better relationship with their furry companions. Her commitment to enhancing the lives of dogs and their owners is evident in every piece of advice she shares, making her a trusted and respected figure in the dog training community. Trust Emma, and you trust a true dog geek.