It is not only humans that get infected but also pets like cats and dogs that are susceptible to urinary tract infections. We will be looking at how it affects the cats and the dogs and what can be done to alleviate the problem.
Problems that affect a cat’s lower urinary system often prevent the bladder from emptying correctly or may even cause fatal blockage of the urethra, the tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body. Very often the culprit is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Symptoms of FLUTD include frequent or painful urination, bloody urine and frequent licking of the urinary opening. One key to treating FLUTD is to determine the root cause, which may include bladder stones, urinary tract blockage, infection or cancer. If the cause of these symptoms cannot be determined, the cat is considered to have bladder inflammation (cystitis).
The following signs may indicate that your cat is having trouble with its urinary tract:
- Inability to urinate or only passing a small amount of urine
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Loss of bladder control, dribbling urine
- Increased frequency of urination or visits to the litter box
- Straining and/or crying out in pain when trying to pass urine
- Prolonged squatting in litter box
- Fear/avoidance of litter box and soiling in inappropriate places
- Constant licking of urinary opening
- Strong odor of ammonia in urine
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Increased water consumption
- Hard, distended abdomen
Depending on your cat’s prognosis, one of the following may be recommended:
- Antibiotics or other medications
- Dietary changes
- Increase in water intake
- Urinary acidifiers
- Expelling of small stones through urethra
- Surgery to either remove bladder stones or tumor, or to correct congenital abnormality
- Urinary catheter or surgery to remove urethral blockage in male cats
- Fluid therapy
When it comes to urinary infection in dogs, the most common lower urinary tract disease in dogs over seven years of age is incontinence related to a weak urinary sphincter muscle, allowing urine to “leak” out. Bacterial infections are also common. Endocrine diseases such as adrenal disease and diabetes mellitus can predispose dogs to bacterial infection of the lower urinary tract. The following signs may indicate that your dog is having trouble with its urinary tract:
- Inability to urinate or only passing a small amount of urine
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Fever
- Loss of bladder control, dribbling urine
- Increased amount and/or frequency of urination
- Straining and/or crying out in pain when trying to pass urine
- Soiling in inappropriate places
- Constant licking of urinary opening
- Strong odor to the urine
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Changes in appetite
- Weight loss
- Severe back pain
- Increased water consumption
Depending on your dog’s diagnosis, one of the following may be recommended:
- Antibiotics
- Medications or supplements
- Dietary changes
- Increase in water intake
- Urinary acidifiers or alkalinizers
- Intravenous or subcutaneous fluid therapy
- Surgery or other procedures to remove bladder stones or tumor
- Surgery to correct congenital abnormality
- Treatment of underlying condition that is contributing to urinary problem (e.g. diabetes mellitus)
Untreated lower urinary problems can lead to serious medical problems in addition to causing discomfort for your pet.
