All about Canine Urinary Tract Infection

Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in dogs. Infection can occur at a single site setting off inflammation in the kidneys (pyelonephritis) ureters (ureteritis) bladder (cystitis) urethra (urethritis) or the prostate gland (prostatitis); at multiple sites; or in the urine (bacteriuria). Upper UTIs include pyelonephritis pyelitis and ureteritis. Lower UTIs include urethritis and cystitis.

What are the Clinical Signs Symptoms?

Clinical signs (objective evidence) of UTI include:

• Painful or difficult urination (dysuria)
• Increased frequency of urination (pollakiuria)
• Increased volume of urination (polyuria)
• Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
• Pus in the urine (pyuria)
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Crystals in the urine (crystalluria)
• Lower back (lumbar) pain

Dysuria frequency urgency hematuria or lumbar pain suggests kidney diseases such as urolithiasis (formation of urinary calculi or mineral salt "pebbles") abnormal growth in the bladder (neoplasm) kidney (renal) masses or urinary obstruction. (Urolithiasis is most common in the following breeds: Miniature Schnauzer Dachshund Dalmatian Pug Bulldog Welsh Corgi Basset Hound Beagle and Terrier.)

Of course some of these clinical signs are also associated with other diseases so a veterinarian's task is to differentiate the specific cause of the dog's clinical condition from other possible causes.

Anatomy of the Canine Urinary Tract

The urinary system eliminates waste by-products and excess water from the body. Kidneys which weigh about 1.5 to 2 ounces (42.5 to 56.7 grams) purify the blood through a filtration process.

The canine urinary tract has upper (proximal) and lower (distal) portions. The upper urinary tract consists of the kidneys and ureters tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. The lower urinary tract consists of the bladder and the urethra which is surrounded by the prostate gland in males.

The urinary tract is normally sterile except for the distal urethra. Pathogens usually invade by ascending the tract entering through the urethra and spreading proximally.

Diagnosing Canine Urinary Tract Infections

Making a differential diagnosis is the process of determining the specific cause of a dog's urinary tract infection (UTI) in preparation for treatment. A thorough evaluation should include questions about the dog's history such as:

• What breed is the dog?
• How old is the dog?
• How often does it urinate?
• How much urine is produced?
• Anything unusual about the appearance or odor of the urine?
• Is the dog excessively thirsty?
• Has the dog broken house-training?
• When were the symptoms first noticed?
• Has the dog been treated for previous urinary tract infections? When and how?
• What has the dog been eating?

Physical Examination

The veterinarian will examine the dog carefully giving special attention to the organs of the upper and lower urinary tract. The bladder should be felt or palpated. In addition the external genitalia should be examined.

A rectal examination allows evaluation of the distal urethra in both sexes and of the prostate in male dogs. If the dog is unable to control urination (incontinent) a neurologic exam should also be conducted.

Upper UTI often affects kidney function. Special radiographic techniques can identify renal scarring caused by pyelonephritis which should be treated differently than other UTI. Renal calculi act as foreign bodies and perpetuate infection. Magnesium ammonium phosphate calculi also grow as a result of infection and can injure the kidneys.

Lower UTI is often associated with urinary tract obstruction urolithiasis and congenital anomalies of the lower urinary tract and trauma. Although treating lower UTI is important for the animal's continued health these infections may have little effect on kidney function.

Treating Canine UTI

Many medications are available to combat Canine Urinary Tract Infection. Ampicillin may be prescribed to treat UTIs. Additionally Bladder Strength for dogs is an advanced combination of ingredients that work together to support bladder control and bladder muscles optimize bladder emptying and reduce adherence of unwanted microorganisms to the linings of the bladder and urethra.

Fortunately there are many successful medications available to assist your four-legged companion including Primor Naxcel Zeniquin. PRIMOR as with all sulfonamides and potentiated sulfonamides may be associated with adverse events including polyarthritis urticaria facial swelling fever hemolytic anemia polydipsia polyuria gastrointestinal signs seizure and neurological disorders. PRIMOR should not be used in dogs with marked liver damage blood dyscrasias or in those with a history of sulfonamide hypersensitivity.

As with all drugs NAXCEL should not be used in animals found to be hypersensitive to the product. Lastly ZENIQUIN as with all fluoroquinolones is not recommended for use in immature dogs during the rapid growth phase or in dogs known to be hypersensitive to fluoroquinolones. The most common adverse reactions observed during clinical studies were decreased activity loss of appetite vomiting and diarrhea.