Dog Urinary Infection Symptoms
Symptoms of canine urinary infection are fairly easy to spot, especially when the infection becomes more advanced. Initially, you may notice that a housebroken dog seems to indicate the need for canine urination much more frequently than normal. This may be accompanied by whining before and/or during the event. You may notice straining or obsessive licking of the genital area, as the dog will likely be trying to alleviate pain and ease out the infection naturally. The dog may urinate in abnormal places, such as inside on bedding or furniture or on the floors of your home. Blood may be spotted in the urine, accompanied by an unusually foul smell. The dog may also exercise less and refuse food or favorite treats. A fever may be indicated by lack of moisture on the nose and the abdomen may be tender to the touch.
Pharmaceutical Treatments
In addition to many at-home or alternative treatments for soothing and relieving canine urinary infection, there are also several options for medical and pharmaceutical treatment. To choose the proper pharmaceutical treatment, tests (such as urinalysis) will be performed to determine which type of bacteria is causing the infection. Once the results are found, an anti-microbial drug will usually be prescribed for the purpose of clearing that particular type of bacteria. Depending upon the severity of the infection, tests may also be run to check the kidneys and bladder for additional problems. Fever, renal failure or a weakened immune system may indicate or even increase the possibility for development of other diseases.
Additional Care
There are additional steps that you can take at home to assist in clearing a canine urinary infection and helping to relieve the dog of some discomfort. Make sure to offer plenty of water, as this will help to flush out the bacteria naturally. A healthy dose of vitamin C can also help to prevent the bacteria from attaching to the bladder walls and give some relief to extreme pain. Dogs don't generally enjoy the acidic taste of citrus fruit, so you may need to become creative in offering a serving of healthy fruit or juice. Avoid juice with sugar or from concentrate. Several daily walks will also help the dog to feel more comfortable by allowing more frequent urination and relieving some discomfort. Avoid feeding food and water that is not fresh, as additional bacteria consumption can prolong the healing process or create a more serious condition. Be sure to refrigerate uneaten food and change the water bowl daily.