Extremely painful symptoms go
hand-in-hand with most urinary tract
infections. A lower urinary tract
infection that centralizes in the bladder makes it
difficult for your pet to urinate freely, resulting in pain and
strain during each attempt. Because lower UTIs can create the
sensation of constantly having to urinate, your pet may try to
eliminate over and over, resulting in further pain and distress
when only small amounts of urine are expelled.
In the case of upper urinary tract infections that affect the
kidneys, your pet would exhibit different symptoms such as
vomiting, weight loss, and a disinterest in food. In some
cases, your pet may not exhibit any symptoms at all, so it is
important to keep up with regular trips to the veterinarian
during which an infection can be detected.
Upper and Lower Symptoms
With lower urinary tract infections that centralize in the
bladder you may see blood in your dog or cat’s urine,
difficulty during urination (pets may cry or strain), frequent
attempts at urination (cats may linger by the litter box and
dogs the door), accidents in the house or dribbling of urine,
licking near the urinary opening, and bad smelling, cloudy
urine. With upper urinary tract infections that take place in
the kidneys, your pet may exhibit weight loss, vomiting, and a
disinterest in food.
More serious UTI symptoms that may be indicative of a greater
problem include fever, tenderness in the lower abdomen,
lethargy, and crying out while trying to urinate. These
symptoms may mean that the infection has spread and become
life-threatening.
If you observe any of these symptoms you should contact your
veterinarian right away. The sooner that you begin treating an
infection the sooner your pet will start to feel better.
Symptomless Infections
Some urinary tract infections will show no symptoms or may be
more difficult to detect. This is just one of the reasons that
regular veterinary visits are so important. Make sure that your
pet is getting both a physical examination and any necessary
lab work to detect abnormalities. The longer your pet’s UTI
goes undiagnosed the more difficult it can be to treat, so stay
ahead of the game with regular trips to the vet.
What causes UTI in Dogs and Cats? Your Pet's Urinary Tract
Infection Explained
Urinary Tract Infections, or
UTIs, are painful infections taking place anywhere along the
urinary tract. Most people think of UTIs as a human affliction,
but both dogs and cats are susceptible to this type of
infection. The most common cause of urinary tract infections in
dogs and cats is bacteria that enters the urinary tract through
the urethra when your pet’s immunity is compromised due to
health conditions or other circumstances. UTIs are not only
uncomfortable for your pet, they can also lead to serious
health complications and even death if left untreated. If
detected, most UTIs are treatable using medications such
as Clavamox for cats and
dogs, and you can take steps to reduce your pet’s risk of
future infection.
What causes UTI in dogs is most commonly bacteria (usually E.
coli), that gathers around your pet’s urethral opening and
moves into the urinary tract and bladder when your pet’s
natural defenses are down. In dogs, prostate disease may
increase the risk of UTIs. Your pet’s diet and water intake can
also have an impact on urinary tract health.
As with dogs, UTI in cats is usually caused by bacteria and is
influenced by diet and water intake. Health conditions that can
allow bacteria to develop in the urinary tract
include bladder cancer, bladder
tumors, kidney stones,
bladder stones, debris caught in the urinary tract, injury,
spinal cord abnormalities, incontinence (involuntary
urination), stress,
congenital (or inborn) abnormalities, diabetes, or other urinary tract
dysfunction.
Your pet’s symptoms will depend on what type of UTI they have.
With lower urinary tract infections that take place in the
bladder, you may see blood in your dog's or cat’s urine,
difficulty during urination, frequent attempts at urination,
accidents in the house or dribbling of urine, licking around
the urinary opening, and bad smelling, cloudy urine. Cats may
scream or cry out when trying to urinate.
With upper urinary tract infections that affect
the kidneys, dogs and cats
can exhibit weight loss,
vomiting, and a disinterest in food. More serious symptoms of
urinary tract infections in dogs and cats that may indicate a
greater problem include fever, tenderness in the lower abdomen,
and lethargy. If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms you
should seek veterinary care right away. Especially in male
cases, as a UTI can be life-threatening. In some cases your pet
may not show any symptoms, so it is important to keep up with
regular veterinary visits during which an infection can be
detected.
Your veterinarian will perform a full examination and run tests
to determine if your pet has a UTI. Many urinary tract
infections in dogs and cats are successfully treated with a
course of antibiotics while others may be treated with a change
in diet, increased water intake, urinary acidifiers, or herbal
remedies. Surgery or urinary catheterization may be implemented
in cases of more serious or persistent infections.
Your veterinarian may also suggest treating any underlying
health condition, such as diabetes, that may be causing UTIs.
Luckily, certain measures can be taken to decrease the risk of
your pet getting this terrible infection. Evaluate your pet’s
diet to ensure they are eating appropriate foods, provide
plenty of clean drinking water, let dogs out often and make
litter boxes accessible for cats, maintain proper hygiene,
and visit the vet
regularly to maintain overall health.
This information is for informational
purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the
professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your
veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been
verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.
This information is for informational
purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the
professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your
veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been
verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.
