If your dog exhibits noticeable pain during urination, it could be a sign of a bladder infection. Similarly, if they suddenly become unclean or constantly want to go outside, it may be related to this condition. Learn more in this article about how you can help your pet in such situations.

Bladder infections in dogs are not uncommon. Some animals suffer from them more frequently, while others rarely experience this condition. Dogs of all ages, genders, and breeds can be affected. Female dogs tend to have bladder infections more often, and the anatomy plays a role in this. Due to the short distance between the anal region and the genitals, particularly the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli can easily enter the urinary tract in female animals.

Many puppies and young dogs show typical symptoms of this painful infection.

In most cases, bladder inflammation is triggered by bacteria that migrate from the animals’ urethra into the bladder. Common culprits include bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, or Klebsiella. Fungi and viruses can also serve as triggers.

Urinary Tract Infection in Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarians refer to bladder inflammation as cystitis. Bacterial infections involving the urethra are defined as infections of the lower urinary tract. The bladder and urethra constitute the lower urinary tract, while the ureters and kidneys make up the upper urinary tract. In any lower urinary tract infection, it is crucial to prevent the infection from spreading to the upper urinary tract. Inflammation of the kidneys is of a different quality than a straightforward bladder inflammation.

Even though a bladder infection in dogs can be supported with a home remedy, you should consult your veterinarian when typical symptoms occur. They can determine the type of infection and whether antibiotic treatment is necessary.

In general, do not take bladder inflammations in your pet lightly. Act quickly, especially as this infection can be very painful. Consider the risk of a potentially life-threatening kidney infection as a consequence of untreated lower urinary tract inflammation.

Types of the Disease and Causes

Veterinarians differentiate between acute and chronic forms of bladder infections. The acute form is characterized by a rapid and sudden onset of symptoms. Pain and other discomforts are more pronounced in this case. The chronic form, on the other hand, is marked by milder symptoms but is often equally burdensome for the animal due to its duration and constant recurrence.

Experts also distinguish urinary tract infections in dogs based on their causes. Bacteria are widespread, and the animal can become infected on its own. This can happen easily if the dog licks an infected area outdoors and then licks its genital region with its tongue. Bacterial infection of the bladder is a primary form of the disease, directly caused by specific pathogens.

Other conditions can also trigger an infection of the lower urinary tract in your pet or create favorable conditions for infection.

These causes of bladder infection in dogs include:

If your pet suffers from any of these conditions, there is a high risk of chronic infection.

Some pet owners believe that their dog has a predisposition to urinary tract infections. This impression may arise if the disease occurs frequently or if chronic conditions develop. The assumption that certain breeds have a genetic predisposition to urinary tract infections is not scientifically supported. However, some breeds are prone to the formation of urinary stones, which, in turn, can lead to inflammation of the lower urinary tract.

Affected breeds include:

Dogs relatively frequently develop urinary stones, and the complex issue is also related to the animals’ diet. The composition of the stones depends, among other things, on the dogs’ nutrition.

Symptoms of the Disease

There are several typical signs that indicate your pet may have bladder inflammation.

Bladder infection in dogs exhibits symptoms such as:

These symptoms are mainly evident in the acute form of the infection. In chronic cases, individual symptoms are usually milder. You may only notice the symptoms through careful observation of your dog. The suffering of the animal is particularly high in the case of acute bladder inflammation, so act promptly by presenting it to the veterinarian.

Diagnosis

Veterinarians can determine whether an animal is suffering from a bacterial infection of the lower urinary tract through an analysis of urine and blood. A blood analysis can also lead the veterinarian to discover other triggering conditions such as diabetes.

In the case of diabetes, the entire urinary tract becomes more susceptible to primarily bacterial infections. Diabetes often affects the entire brain region in the long-term prognosis. Therefore, in cases of canine diabetes, you should always consider the risk of urinary tract infections.

An infection can spread to the upper urinary tract. In such cases, imaging techniques such as X-rays are used by the veterinarian. Particularly in the case of a severe bacterial infection, a preliminary examination is not sufficient. After treating the disease with antibiotics, follow-up examinations of blood and urine are conducted.

The severity of the symptoms in each case is crucial. An obviously mild and uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection requires less diagnostic effort than visibly severe cases.

As a layperson, you can also assess the success of the treatment of mild bladder inflammation in dogs. The symptoms have disappeared. However, if you suspect chronic conditions, you should primarily request follow-up examinations from the veterinarian.

Imaging techniques are helpful in investigating other causes of frequent infections, primarily considering stones or tumors.

Veterinary Treatment

For bacterial infections of the lower urinary tract, veterinarians typically use antibiotics. Most of these infections can be traced back to a single strain of pathogen. Mixed infections are the exception. This can simplify the treatment with antibiotic medications.

The term “antibiotics” conceals the action of these drugs. They target specific living organisms like bacteria. Therefore, antibiotics cannot combat viruses or fungi. It is essential for the veterinarian to analyze the cause of the acute infection. In the case of chronic infections, whether a prolonged, mild medication with antibiotics is considered must be decided by the veterinarian in each individual case.

The problematic aspect of administering antibiotics is that they not only destroy disease-causing bacteria but also the billions of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms in a dog’s gut. These microorganisms also suffer from antibiotic drugs. Therefore, do not forget to ask your veterinarian about rebuilding the so-called microbiome. The microbiome is the entirety of microorganisms in the animal’s gut.

Its composition has a significant impact on the health and well-being of your pet. After administering antibiotics, diarrhea often occurs, resulting from the destruction of “good gut bacteria.” The potential issue of a disrupted balance in the dog’s gut can be particularly important if your pet has to take antibiotic doses frequently or even permanently.

Treating Bladder Inflammation in Dogs with Home Remedies

You can support the treatment of bladder inflammation in dogs with a home remedy and targeted nutrition. Various measures can be considered.

Infectious bacterial strains feel comfortable in different environments. Some pathogens causing bladder infections in dogs do not like acidic urine. Want to make life harder and more acidic for the E.coli pathogen? Then offer the dog not normal water but healing water with a high sulfate content.

In contrast, combat acid-loving bacterial strains in dogs with healing water that has a high bicarbonate ingrdient. Ask the veterinarian about the pathogens responsible for bladder inflammation in your pet.

Herbs for Cystitis

Some herbs are effective against lower urinary tract infections. Bladder inflammation, dogs, and tea make a good combination. Diuretic teas, such as those with goldenrod or nettle, are suitable. It’s best to dilute the herbal tea with your dog’s drinking water.

Make sure to provide your pet with sufficient drinking water during bladder inflammation. Often, affected dogs themselves show an increased need for fluids.

Add dried cranberries to your dog’s food or dilute some cranberry juice heavily in the water. Cranberries make it difficult for bacteria to cling to the urethra, making it easier for pathogens to be expelled with urine.

Some dogs benefit from more warmth during lower urinary tract infections. Here, you might provide your dog with a suitable heating pad or an additional cozy blanket to give them more comfort.

Take care of your sick animal. Bladder inflammation is a very painful condition. Dogs feel good when they sense the special closeness of their favorite person during pain. Your special care can also contribute to your pet’s quicker recovery.

Definitely discuss possible preventive measures with your veterinarian if your four-legged companion suffers from chronic lower urinary tract infections. Now is the time to work together with the vet to develop a plan to maintain the high quality of life for your protegé.

Dietary measures are often considered in this context. Certain conditions can be favorably influenced by an adapted diet, especially in cases of diabetes and a tendency to urinary stones. This frequently makes it possible to mitigate the accompanying chronic bladder inflammation in dogs.

In this regard, remember that dogs experience noticeable discomfort when they become unclean because they cannot hold their urine. In this case, punishment is by no means appropriate. Show empathy for the animal and its condition.