Understanding Urinary Tract Disease in Animals

Understanding Urinary Tract Disease in Animals

Pets are naturally active and full of energy. So, when you notice that your dog or cat suddenly prefers to lie down or refuses to eat, you would want to know the cause so you can have it treated at Staten Island Veterinary Group.

Urinary Tract Disease in Animals: What Pet Owners Need to Know

One of the most common illnesses in pets is urinary tract disease or infection of the urinary tract. As a pet owner, it’s very important to know the signs of this condition to have it treated before things get worse.

What are infections of the urinary system?

especially pets. Organisms like Enterococcus, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Streptococcus are just some of the most common causative agents of these infections and they typically start from the urethra and ascend to the bladder and kidneys if not detected and treated right away.

What are the predisposing factors for urinary tract disease?

Predisposing factors may vary from the type of animal, their gender and breed. For instance,

female dogs are more likely to get urinary tract infections than male dogs. Cats, on the other

hand, are not as prone to urinary tract infection, with only less than 2% of testing positive for

bacterial infection. If a cat shows signs and symptoms of urinary tract disease, it’s mostly

because of urinary bladder stones or idiopathic cystitis, not infection.

What are the common signs of urinary tract disease?

Urinary tract infections are very common in dogs and one of the first signs that you should

watch out for is frequent need to urinate, although some dogs will tend to strain when they urinate. You should also see if your dog cries out or whines whenever it is urinating because that could be a sign of pain. Another common sign of a UTI in dogs is frequent licking of genitals and dripping urine. If you notice that your dog drips urine around your house, especially if it has a strong smell or is dark in color, it could mean that it is suffering from an infection.

A previously well-mannered dog that is suddenly urinating in the house is also considered a red flag that something may be wrong with its bladder, so it’s very important to seek medical

consultation right away from your trusted veterinarians, like Staten Island Veterinary Group. Other signs include passing more or less urine, increased drinking, vomiting, dehydration, weight loss and tiredness.

How is urinary tract disease treated?

Since urinary tract disease can come in various forms, the treatment will depend on the

underlying cause and your pet’s overall condition. Usually and in our case, a veterinarian here at the Staten Island Veterinary Group will begin with a full assessment of your pet including laboratory tests to determine the specific infection and cause, so that they can create a proper

treatment plan for it.

Once you notice the first sign of urinary tract disease, it’s very important to bring your pet to a vet right away so proper treatment can be started, and your pet will have a higher chance of recovering from it quickly and easily.

Contact Staten Island Veterinary Group to learn more about us and how we can help

you, or check out our blogs which cover topics about Dental Diseases, Seizures in Dogs, Paw Licking and more!