Bladder infection in dogs
Just like people, dogs can also suffer from a bladder infection. It is in fact a common problem in dogs. A bladder infection in dogs means that the urinary tract has become infected by bacteria. This bacterial infection mainly occurs in female dogs. Female dogs have a shorter urethra, which is often also wider than that of a male dog. As a result, bacteria can reach the bladder more easily and cause inflammation.
What are the causes of bladder infections in dogs?
In many dogs, (mild) urinary incontinence is the cause of the bladder infection. When the sphincter does not work as well, bacteria can enter more easily. Mild urinary incontinence is not always noticed by the owner, because it involves only a minimal number of drops of urine, which the dog often cleans up itself. However, there are also several other possible causes of bladder infections in dogs:
- Kidney infection/kidney failure
- Bladder stones
- Hormonal disorders such as Cushing’s disease or diabetes
- Incontinence
- Bladder polyps or tumors
Symptoms of a bladder infection in dogs
If you suspect that your dog has a bladder infection, we recommend paying close attention to your dog’s urine. We have listed the most common symptoms of bladder infections in dogs below.
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Sudden incontinence
- Blood in the urine
- Restlessness
- Visible pain when urinating
- Strong-smelling urine
- Cloudy urine
- Exhausted dog
- Dog that wants to drink a lot
- Fever
If your dog has one or more of these symptoms, make an appointment with the veterinarian as soon as possible.
The treatment of bladder infections in dogs
To determine whether your dog actually has a bladder infection, it is important to collect a urine sample. The veterinarian can examine whether there are bacteria in the urine. If a bladder infection is indeed diagnosed, treatment with a course of antibiotics often follows. How long the course of antibiotics lasts depends on the severity and location of the bladder infection.
Are there ways to prevent bladder infections in dogs?
Just as with people, there are ways to reduce the risk of a bladder infection in dogs (it is not always possible to prevent a bladder infection entirely). It is important for a dog to drink enough fresh water; this makes the urine less concentrated and reduces the risk of a bladder infection. Therefore, always make sure that fresh drinking water is available for your dog.
It is also very important to take your dog outside regularly. Not only for exercise, but also to empty the bladder. When a dog can urinate regularly, the bladder is emptied and the bacteria leave the bladder.
Choose a healthy, balanced diet. In addition, choose a food enriched with probiotics. Probiotics contribute to the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s body.
