Urinary Diseases in Dogs
Many dogs will contract a urinary problem at some time in their lives. Urinary disease is different from kidney disease in that it involves the lower urinary tract, not the kidneys. The lower urinary tract carries waste from the kidneys through ureters to the bladder where it is stored. Problems in the urinary tract can range from simple bacterial infections to serious diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Older animals are often more prone to urinary problems.
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Symptoms of Urinary Disease
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Symptoms of urinary tract disease include loss of bladder control or dribbling of urine, soiling the house, licking of the urinary opening, increased frequency of urination, strong odor from the urine, straining or vocalizing during urination, increased water consumption, blood in the urine, vomiting, lethargy and weight loss. Fever may also be present. If your dog has any of these symptoms, consult with your veterinarian to find the cause of the problem.
Types of Urinary Disease
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Bacterial infection is the most common kind of urinary problem. Bacteria enter the urinary tract and grow, causing inflammation of the bladder, straining and frequency of urination. Crystals can form in the urinary tract, causing pain, bleeding and straining while urinating. Hormonal issues can also cause urinary symptoms in dogs. Diabetes may be suspected if there is increased water consumption, increased urination and weight loss. Cancer can cause obstruction of the urinary tract. Trauma and obstruction are rare but can also cause urinary disease.
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Diagnosing Urinary Disease
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To diagnose urinary problems, the veterinarian will do a physical examination of the kidneys and bladder. A urinalysis or urine culture will be able to determine if infection of the urinary tract is the cause. If more serious diseases are suspected, X-rays or ultrasound will allow the vet to investigate the internal structures.
Treating Urinary Disease
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Once he has made a diagnosis, the veterinarian will decide a course of treatment. This could include antibiotics to fight infection, increases in water intake, urine acidifiers or alkalinizers, dietary measures, subcutaneous or IV fluids and surgery to remove stones or correct abnormalities. If there is an underlying condition like diabetes that is contributing to the urinary disease, the vet will address necessary medications or changes in diet.
Urinary Incontinence in Older Dogs
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Older dogs often have a problem with urinary incontinence because of low levels of estrogen in female dogs and low levels of testosterone in male dogs. These sex hormones are important for contraction in the urethra and sphincter muscles. The dog may leak urine without even being aware of it. If this is the problem, the vet will prescribe hormone replacement, which generally has a good outcome. Systemic disease can also be a cause of urinary problems in older dogs. The veterinarian will do tests to eliminate other, more serious diseases.
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References
- Photo Credit naughty dog image by MichMac from Fotolia.com
