Dog Bladder Infection – A Sign of Underlying Health Problems?

The bladder is an organ in the body that stores urine. Bladder infection in dogs is commonly caused by bacteria. However, a recurrent or persistent infection may indicate other conditions such as bladder stones, bladder cancer, Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism), diabetes mellitus and anatomical defects.

Bacteria infection

The urinary bladder and urine are normally sterile. Infection occurs when bacteria enters the bladder via the urethra from outside the body. This type of infection can simply be treated with a course of antibiotics.

Canine bladder stones

There are various types of bladder stones. Oxalate stones are the type that cause dog bladder infection.

The substance that inhibits the formation of calcium oxalate stones is nephrocalcin. Due to some genetic disorder, this substance is defective in dogs that develop this type of bladder stones.

Calcium oxalate stones cannot be dissolved by special diets. In most cases, surgical removal is necessary. Nevertheless, dietary changes can prevent formation of new stones.

Bladder cancer

This type of cancer is rare in dogs. More than 50% of bladder tumors are malignant. The tumor usually grows in the neck of the bladder. As it becomes larger, it can block the flow of urine to and from the bladder.

Surgical removal is only possible if the tumor is located away from the neck of the bladder or it has not spread to other parts of the body. Other treatment options include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Cushing’s disease

In dogs with Cushing’s disease, the body over produces cortisol. Excessive levels of this hormone increase calcium in urine that leads to formation of calcium oxalate stones. As mentioned above, this type of stones cause bladder infection in dogs.

For Cushing’s disease caused by adrenal tumor, treatment is by surgical removal and supplementing with cortisol until adrenal glands are functioning normally again.

Pituitary dependent Cushing’s disease is treated with drug medications to restore cortisol production to normal level.

Diabetes mellitus

Dogs with diabetes mellitus have insufficient insulin to absorb and utilise glucose. Excess glucose promotes bacteria growth and bladder infection. Diabetes mellitus is treated with insulin injections.

Anatomical defects

Diverticuli in the bladder can harbour bacteria and is a hard to reach area for antibiotics. Surgical removal may be required if prolong treatment with antibiotics does not get rid of the infection.

Neurological problems

Older dogs may have difficulty emptying the bladder due to disc problem, spine tumor, liver disease and cauda equina syndrome.

Some of the symptoms of dog bladder infection are:

- blood in urine

- straining to urinate

- urinating more often and in small amounts

- urinating in odd areas

- increased drinking

- excessive licking of genitals

Not all dogs display the same signs. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, consult your vet for a proper diagnosis.

About the Author

Does your dog suffer from bladder infection? Regular treatment with drug medications can cause unwanted side effects. Discover how natural remedies can prevent and treat dog bladder infection in the “Natural Help For UTI in dogs and cats” eBook (available for FREE) at http://www.ultimatedogguide.com/natural-help-for-uti-dogs-book

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Diagnosing Sickness In Your Canine Friend

Diagnosing illness in your dog is not very easy, but there are certain things that owners can look out for to make sure to take the best care of their dog that they can. Regular vet visits and good home care and training are essential components to a healthy, thriving pet. The following are some indications of illness or problems that you might want to bring up with your veterinarian, if necessary.

Strange Waste

Of course, the waste material of your dog is never going to smell like roses; some smells less than others but feces smell nonetheless. If you happen to notice that your dog’s waste is stronger than it usually is, this is an indication of some digestive problems; in the same sense, any blood in the waste may also be an indicator of a greater problem and it is something you should bring up with your vet.

Mucus, blood, foreign objects, or indication of constipation or diarrhea on an ongoing basis are also cause for concern in your pet, and may be the signal of a greater problem.

Things like parasites, allergic reactions, food poisoning, or purposeful poisoning are all signified through these ways, so they are cause for concern in your pet.

Strange Urine

You can also diagnose dog illness by examining their urine; although it seems a bit gross, you can tell a lot about the health of your dog by examining their urine. If you notice that your dog’s urine has blood in it that may be a sign that something bigger is going on in their system, that some type of infection is present. If it looks like your dog is having a hard time urinating that may be a sign of a bigger problem as well. Even if it seems like your dog is urinating too much, that may also be a sign of health problems and diabetes is one of them, as well as Cushing’s syndrome and canine hepatic diseases. Check an online resource like http://www.aboutdoghealth.org for more information about these type of diseases.

Your Dog’s Coat

While it may not seem strange to you that your dog smells badly, it is not normal for the skin of your pet to secret strange odors. This can be due to certain problems, like hormonal issues and dermatitis. These are all issues that can turn into major health problems if they are not addressed early on.

Your Dog’s Actions

If you are noticing that your dog is responding less and less to your calls, or that their balance and orientation seems to be a bit off, you should have them checked for possible problems with the inner ear. As far as your dog’s behavior goes, excessive lethargy or apathy, or other apparent disturbances in your dog’s environment can also be indicative of more problems with your dog’s health. Rabies, meningitis and other serious health problems can be indicated by strange changes in your pet’s behavior.

If any of the above seem to be things that you are noticing in your pet and they are occurring on an ongoing basis, be sure to consult your vet for good advice on the right way to handle the situation and whether or not veterinary care should be sought after.

About the Author

You can also find other information on
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