What Every Dog Owner Should Know About Canine Cystitis

You may already know that bladder infections in dogs are a very common problem. But quite a few dog owners have questions about canine urinary tract infections. Here are answers to your questions.

What Is Canine Cystitis?

Its a bladder inflammation caused by bacteria infecting your dogs bladder. Your vet may refer to it as an "ascending" infection. Most of the time the bacteria that cause bladder infections in dogs come from the dogs own intestinal tract. The bacteria start out at the skin around the anus, and "ascend" through the urethra to the bladder.

Are There Other Causes Of Canine Urinary Tract Infections?

Yes. Your dog may have bladder stones, which can make it easier for him to develop a bladder infection.

Other factors include tumors in the bladder, not being able to empty the bladder completely, and diseases like diabetes or Cushings disease. If your dog is being given drugs that suppress the immune system, like cortisone or chemotherapy, he may be more prone to a bladder infection.

What Symptoms Should I Be Watching For?

Blood in your dogs urine, straining to pass urine, and frequent urination are common signs of a bladder problem.

But sometimes its not so obvious. If your dog is acting restless and wants to go out all the time, or starts urinating all over the house, this may not be a behavior problem. It could be signs of a canine bladder infection.

How Does Your Vet Diagnose Canine Cystitis?

Ideally, your vet will run a urinalysis first to determine if there are bacteria or bladder stones in your dogs urine. If bacteria are present, the next step should be a dog urine culture and a sensitivity test.

A urine culture is necessary to identify which bacteria are present. The sensitivity test tells your vet which antibiotic is the best one to do the job.

Do I Really Have To Give My Dog ALL The Antibiotic?

Absolutely. If you stop treating bladder infections in dogs too soon, the infection can come back. Plus, stopping the treatment too soon encourages antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

If your dog has side effects from the antibiotic, contact your vet. Dont just stop giving your buddy the medication.

Why Does My Dog Keep Getting Bladder Infections?

Its possible that its the same infection that was never completely eradicated. A dog urine culture and sensitivity test should be done before you treat him again. After treatment is over, you can see if it was successful by repeating these tests.

How About Natural Remedies For Pets?

People have been using safe, effective, natural treatments for bladder infections for centuries. Many dog owners ask if natural remedies for pets can help dogs with canine cystitis.

Make no mistake about it, the answer is yes. But you do need to be sure youre using remedies gentle enough for animals, not people. Do your homework and purchase your remedies only from a company with a great reputation for producing the highest-quality herbal remedies for pets. These remedies are safe and effective, and are easy to give your dog every day to prevent bladder problems from happening in the first place.

Take the next step and learn how these remedies can help protect your best buddy from canine urinary tract infections.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health. Here you can discover how herbal and homeopathic remedies can help prevent and treat painful canine urinary tract infections. Find the best place to buy these remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com