Canine Urinary Infection Medication
Urinary tract infections commonly affect pets, including dogs, but they can be cured with the right medications. Usually this means antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian. However, the type of treatment will depend on the severity of the disease, the cause and how quickly it is diagnosed.
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About UTI
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The uti-in-dogs.com website states that about 14 percent of the dog population will be affected by a urinary tract infection at some point in their life. The infection is caused by bacteria that get into the bladder.Several types of bacteria can be the cause, including E coli., esterococcus, coagulase, positive straphylococcus, proteus mirabilis, klebsiella, and pseudomonas. Female dogs are more susceptible to a UTI, and many medical treatments are available.
Antibiotic Medications
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Antibiotics are the most common medication of choice, determined by your veterinarian for urinary tract infections. The list of antibiotics used for dog urinary tract infections may include such names as amoxicillin, ampicillin, enrofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, doxycycline, and tetracycline.
Urinary tract infections in dogs can also be treated with the use of antimicrobial drugs such as cephalexin, prescribed for two to three weeks, depending on the extent of the disease. Your veterinarian will prescribe this medication to halt the growth and spread of the bacteria that caused the infection. This works to prevent the spread of infection to other organs and body parts.
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Fungal UTI Medication
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A fungal UTI in your dog is not the most common cause but requires a special medication to treat the infection. Your veterinarian may prescribe fluconazole, which is the antifungal medication of choice for the treatment of a fungal-related UTI.
Medication Treatment
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The course of treatment for a UTI in your dog is usually a process of medication therapy recommended for seven to 21 days, depending on the dog. A more severe infection may require four to six weeks of treatment with medications. A fungal UTI may require a much lesser course of action, eliminating the infection is as little as seven days. With any UTI, a follow-up to your veterinarian will be required after your dog has taken all the medication. Another urine culture will be taken to be sure the UTI is completely eliminated, or the treatment may need to be repeated.
Prevention/Solution
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According to uti-in-dogs.com, there are steps you can take to prevent the onset of a UTI in your dog. First, make sure your dog has frequent opportunities to urinate. Be sure your dog has plenty of water to drink at all times. Provide some citrus juice for your dog during his morning meals. The acidity in the juice reduces the bacteria in the urine. Always keep your dog up-to-date on veterinarian visits, and after he eats his nutritious meals each day, dispose of leftover foods and clean his dining area and dishes so they not get affected by bacteria growth.
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References
- Photo Credit dogs face image by leafy from Fotolia.com
