Antibiotics for Dog UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
Antibiotics for dog UTI are the first line of defense against this common condition most often seen in older female dogs. Though older females are the most vulnerable, all ages and genders are susceptible. More than likely one or more of these factors will influence your vets decision as to what antibiotics for dog UTI are appropriate for your pets unique situation.
There are many different types of bacteria that can cause a dog urinary tract infection with a very small percentage of cases being caused by oral ingestion of bacteria laden food. Nevertheless, your vet may ask you if this is a possibility. The vast majority of cases of urinary tract infections in dogs are caused by bacteria entering through the urethra and working its way up the urinary tract to the bladder. Once UTI symptoms such as painful urination, soreness in the bladder and kidney area (just behind the ribs a few inches down from the spine), spraying or other inappropriate urinary occurrences, antisocial behavior, noticeable increase in water consumption, rank smelly urine, cloudy urine, blood in the urine, fatigue, or uncharacteristic aggression are recognized the next step is treatment.
Antibiotics for dog UTI are the backbone of convention veterinary medicine with amoxicillin or cephalexin the most likely choices. Other antibiotics that might be prescribed include ceftiofur, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim. There are many factors that will determine which one of the above antibiotics will be prescribed, with none being more important than the type of bacteria propagating the infection.
Why is this a big deal? The reason is fairly simple; not all antibiotics for dog UTI work on all types of bacteria. So the correct antibiotic must be selected to match the bacterial cause.
The only way to accomplish this through a few common tests which include a urine profile and blood test. The urine profile will identify the specific type or types of bacterial and the blood test will rule out a number of possible underlying diseases which are capable of either producing similar symptoms or contributing to your pets urinary tract infection.
One identified and implemented, antibiotics for dog UTI will generally eliminate the infection in 7 to 10 days. Your veterinarian will likely recommend a follow up visit with additional test to confirm the cure.
While antibiotics for dog UTI are considered to be the best form of treatment there can be extenuating circumstances such as advanced age, kidney damage, an already weakened immune system from serious illness such as cancer, antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria, or sensitivity to side effects such as stomach upset that could force a dog owner to look in a different direction for a cure. If you find this to be the case one of the best alternative solutions to antibiotics for dog UTI are homeopathic urinary tract supplements containing uva ursi. Uva ursi has been used for many years as a safe and effective treatment against bacterial urinary tract infection both in people and pets and is viable option worth considering. It can be used both in prevention and treatment.
