Since dogs can’t talk, it’s the responsibility of pet owners to notice unusual behavior, especially when it comes to their health. Dogs are prone to urinary tract infections (UTI) and this can lead to [google_bot_show][/google_bot_show]more conditions like inflammations, bladder or kidney stones.
There are signs you can watch out for to indicate a problem with your dog’s urinary tract. If you notice incontinence, bladder leaking, difficulty in urinating, or pain, these are usually positive signs of an infection. Here are some more specific questions you could use as a checklist whenever you see something different with your dog.
How old is your dog? The usual age when dogs start to experience UTI and bladder stones is from age 5 to 12. The older they are, the more vulnerable they become.
Does your dog show signs of incontinence? Incontinence is when your dog cannot control his urine. It is also called leaking, and generally is a symptom of an infection especially if it happens while he is resting.
How many fluids is your dog taking daily? Dogs need water because this is the best way he can clean his system of bacteria. If he is not drinking enough clean water, he will be more prone to infection and eventually bladder stones. You should also make sure that he does not drink unclean water since this will definitely stimulate a health problem.
Does your dog urinate normally? If your dog has an infection, he will have a hard time urinating, plus he may experience pain and there may be traces of blood in his urine. If this is happening, then it is a definite sign that something is wrong internally.
Is your dog on any medication? Sometimes, medicine can cause an adverse reaction in dogs. If he is on any medication, consult the vet about the possible ill effects and how to deal with them. They will give you more information and tips on how to take care of your dogs especially during their medication. It is always better to ask advice or help from the experts. They know exactly how they can help you with your pets.
Is your dog exhibiting unusual behavior? If suddenly your dog seems lethargic and does not have much appetite, then you should schedule a vet visit because dogs usually never refuse food, and like to run about.
At the vet, expect tests to be done on your dog’s urine and blood. The results of these test will determine the cause of his problems, and if your vet thinks that there may be stones in the bladder, he may request that an X-ray be done. In some cases, an ultrasound will also be done to get a better picture of your dog’s urinary tract.
Treatment should follow immediately. If the cause is medical, drugs like antibiotics will be prescribed. It may be that your dog is experiencing behavior problems due to stress or change of environment. Treatment of this problem can be solve with re-training and possibly more attention from you.
When your dog has been successfully treated, you can take some steps to make sure that it does not happen again. When your dog gets an infection due to bacteria in his system, it could be because he lacks enough fluids to wash out the toxins, or the urine’s composition is not balanced.
You can solve this by increasing his daily fluid intake and switching to canned food which are moist compared to dry dog food. To restore a good Ph level in your dog’s urine, look for natural supplements that concentrate on the urinary tract system. These measures will keep your dog happy and healthy forever.