Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs

I had a dog (Kirby) who would go out into the yard and pee on command. He didn't like getting his feet wet if it was raining, but all I had to say was, "Kirby, go pee." and he'd march out in the rain and do his business. However, not doing their business because it's raining is one thing. Having difficulty or not being able to pee is a medical issue that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. One of my other dogs had good reason for not going and it wasn't because she didn't like the rain. She had developed a urinary tract infection that prevented her from going.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in dogs and cats. Sometimes crystals, polyps or bladder stones develop in the bladder or urinary tract and plug up the urethra which make it difficult to impossible for the dog to pee. Crystals and bladder stones may pass out of the body on their own, but not always. The urethra is the tube urine passes through as it works its way out of the body from the bladder. Ureters are tubes urine passes through from the kidneys into the bladder. Kidney stones can become lodged anywhere along the dog's urinary tract, blocking the passage of urine. UTIs are bacterial infections of the bladder or urethra. Urinary tract infections are classified as upper or lower infections. Upper infections affect the kidneys and don't have as many symptoms. Vomiting, weight loss and anorexia are signs of upper urinary tract infections. Anytime your dog vomits repeatedly for longer than 12 hours, call your vet immediately.

Symptoms of lower urinary tract infections
-Incontinence in dogs can be for a number of reasons from being overly submissive to bladder infection. If stones or crystals have partially blocked the urethra or a tumor is present, urine can leak around the blockage.
-Blood in the urine
-Lethargy
-Cloudy and strong (foul) smelling urine
-Frequent attempts to urinate inside and outside.
-Excessive thirst
-Loss of appetite
-A swelling in the lower tummy that's tender when touched
-Whining, signs of distress or crying while trying to urinate
-Excessive cleaning around the genitals
-Can only produce a little urine even though the dog is trying to go
-Fever. Normal temperature for a dog is between 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit

What causes urinary tract infection?
Bacteria (mainly E coli) can enter into the urethra from the dog's urinary opening and then move along up the tube to the bladder and go as far as the kidneys. Dogs can also pick up bacteria in dirty water or food that's been contaminated. Spayed females are more prone to UTIs than male dogs, but a male can also develop crystals and stones that plug him up. Female dogs seven years and older are more likely to have problems with urinary tract infections. The female's urethra is shorter than the male's and it's easier for bacteria to enter the female's bladder and work its way into other parts of the urinary system. Male dogs can have problems with prostatitis, which is a urinary tract infection that causes the prostate to enlarge, making it hard for him to pee. Symptoms in males are harder to see and an enlarge prostate may not be found until the dog is in for his yearly checkup.

Preventative Measures
-Keep your dog's bedding clean.
-Make sure to provide fresh clean water daily. Keep water and food bowls clean and don't leave uneaten food down for your dog to eat later.
-Bathe your dog regularly. Keep the hair clipped away from the genital area and keep it clean. This helps reduce the chance of bacteria entering your dog's body.
-Making your dog "hold it" isn't a good idea if you can avoid it. Giving your dog time to do what he/she needs to do and allowing them access to the outside often gives them a chance to empty their bladder which helps flush out bacteria.
-Feed a quality canned dog food instead of a steady diet of dry food. Canned food has more water in it and you can supplement your dog's diet by adding canned food to their dry food.
-Take your dog for walks. Exercise the best way to help keep your dog in shape. A healthy dog with a strong immune system can usually ward off infections on his own.

Treatment
Untreated, UTIs can lead to kidney failure and death. Urinary tract infections are not difficult to diagnose and they can be treated with antibiotics. However, an infection can be recurring if the dog doesn't receive the entire amount of medication that was prescribed by the vet, the antibiotic didn't work, there's another condition that hasn't been diagnosed like bladder cancer, bladder stones or kidney stones, or the dog has developed diabetes mellitus or Cushing's disease. If the dog has no underlying medical conditions and has a simple UTI, a change in diet that dissolves crystals or stones may be all that's needed. Your vet will need to run tests to determine how serious the UTI is to know how to treat him.

If your dog is having trouble peeing, don't wait for other symptoms to develop. Take your dog to the vet immediately. Catching an infection early is the best way to prevent serious health issues. A urinary tract infection is painful for the dog and can cause death within 3 to 4 days. Know what your dog's bathroom habits are to help keep him healthy.