What are the most common urinary problems in dogs?
Dogs can get many urinary problems, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), a urinary blockage, bladder stones, or even urinary incontinence. A UTI in dogs can cause varying symptoms. You might see things such as frequent urination, going outside to potty a lot, and drinking a lot. It can also be signs such as straining to urinate, where they're just sitting there and not much is coming out, or sometimes even blood in the urine.
How does a veterinarian diagnose urinary problems in dogs?
We diagnose urinary problems in dogs by looking at the urine under a microscope and checking for the presence of things like red blood cells, white blood cells, and bacteria. We do this by either asking you to bring a sample with you. Sometimes, for dogs, we can go outside and just collect it under them, or we might have to use other methods to collect it in case we need a sterile sample for something like a culture.
What can be done for a dog with urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can be managed in a few ways. Typically, a daily medication is something we use. However, we like to use other monitoring tools, such as blood work, before starting on those medications to ensure there aren't any other organ abnormalities.
What treatments can be done for a dog that has a UTI?
The treatment for a dog with a UTI can vary depending on what they might need. Some patients with a UTI come in very sick and don't feel well, so we need to treat the underlying UTI as well as their general condition.
Other dogs come in without showing any noticeable problems, and the only treatment needed is antibiotics to get rid of the bacteria. It really depends on how severe the UTI is and how your dog is feeling.
Can a urinary infection in dogs go away without treatment?
That's a good question. You might wonder if you can treat a UTI at home for a dog or how to treat a urinary tract infection at home for a dog. It really depends on factors we've mentioned before, such as the dog's age, gender, and any other health problems. The best option if you think your dog has a UTI is to get them in so that a doctor can evaluate them.
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