Treating And Preventing Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs
Posted on: 20 July 2016
A urinary tract infection (UTI) can make your dog downright miserable. He or she may yelp while urinating, experience blood in the urine, or urinate in unwanted areas such as inside the home. If left untreated, what starts as a minor UTI can spread into the bladder and kidneys. So, it's important to treat a UTI effectively, and then to take steps to prevent your dog from developing another one.
Treating a UTI
UTIs are typically caused by bacteria, so your dog will need an oral antibiotic in order to get better. Call and make an appointment with your vet. He or she will take a sample of your dog's urine and analyze it to determine what type of bacteria are causing the infection. Based on the results of this test, your vet will then prescribe an antibiotic.
Make sure you give your dog the antibiotic for as long as is recommended. Do not stop the treatment early even if your dog seems better. There may still be some residual bacteria present, and if you stop treatment too soon, the infection will just come back.
In addition to giving your dog the prescribed antibiotics, you'll also need to increase his or her fluid intake to help flush the bacteria out of the urinary tract. Try giving your dog about a cup of canned chicken or beef broth every few hours. Make sure he or she has water available at all times.
Preventing Future UTIs
Once your dog has had a urinary tract infection, they'll be more likely to develop another one. There are a few things you can do to help prevent this:
- Feed your dog more moist food and less dry kibble.
- Switch to a dog food made specifically for dogs prone to UTIs.
- Talk to your vet about adding cranberry extract to your dog's diet. (This natural plant extract can help prevent UTIs but may not be safe for all dogs.)
- Let your dog out to urinate more frequently. Don't force them to hold their urine as long.
- Give your dog broth once or twice per day to increase fluid intake.
Urinary tract infections are not pleasant for your pet, and they can cause your pet to leave a mess in the house, too. With these treatment and prevention tips, however, you can be sure you're doing what's best for your dog. Talk to your vet for more information.
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