Definition
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial, fungal or algal infection anywhere along the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
How Urinary Tract Infections Affect Dogs
While canine UTIs are fairly common, especially in females, many affected dogs show no clinical signs. However, even asymptomatic infections can lead to serious systemic disease. When dogs do show observable signs, they tend to include frequent attempts to urinate, straining to urinate, excessive urgency to urinate, urination in inappropriate places, incontinence, cloudy urine, lethargy, depression, inappetance and/or noticeable blood in the urine. UTIs are often quite painful.
Causes of Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs
UTIs are usually caused by intestinal or environmental bacteria that ascend the urethra into the bladder. Stones in the bladder or elsewhere in the urinary tract, and certain other medical conditions and anatomical defects, can predispose affected animals to UTIs. In some cases, organisms other than bacteria cause UTIs, including chlamydia, mycoplasma, viruses, algae and fungi. In addition to the pain and discomfort caused by these infections, the bacteria or other contributing organisms can proliferate and infect areas in addition to the lower urinary tract, particularly the ureters and kidneys. Even more dangerous is the potential for systemic infection, which is a life-threatening emergency.
Preventing Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs
When underlying predisposing conditions cannot be controlled or eliminated, dogs with UTIs may need to be on long-term, low dose prophylactic antibiotic treatment, which carries its own risks. Another preventive measure is avoiding the indiscriminate use of urinary catheters. Free access to fresh water can help flush microorganisms out of the urinary tract. Regular urination is also important to prevent accumulation, reproduction and concentration of bacteria in the bladder.
Special Notes
Hard to prevent, difficult to notice and dangerous if left untreated, urinary tract infections affect dogs of all ages and breeds. Because so many are asymptomatic, it is especially important for dog owners to rely on veterinary protocols for accurate diagnoses. Uncomplicated UTIs are normally treated with antibiotics empirically. If the infection does not resolve, or if it resolves but recurs, further diagnostics are critical, including a urine culture and sensitivity to identify the particular causative organism. The prognosis for dogs with uncomplicated bacterial urinary tract infections is excellent. Primary fungal infections, on the other hand, are extremely difficult to resolve. The prognosis for complicated canine UTIs is quite variable.