Thursday, October 17, 2013

Incontinence In Dogs Is A Problem

By Geraldine Dimarco


Raising a dog is like raising a baby. Like our own children, they look up to us to give them food, shelter, and proper nourishment. As a responsible dog owner, it is our responsibility to give them the best care we can and to make sure they are given proper health care.

Dog urinary tract infections happen at the parts where urine forms and is excreted out of the body. A mild case of infection is not easy to detect. That is why in most cases, dogs are treated only when the infection is already on its advanced stages.

There are two classifications of dog urinary tract infections. One is upper urinary tract infection and the other is lower urinary tract infection. These two kinds of dog urinary problems produce different signs and symptoms. Upper urinary tract infection is usually associated with weight loss, anorexia, and vomiting. On the other hand, lower urinary tract infection is associated mostly with abnormalities and incontinence or a change in the dog's urinating pattern.

The most effective way to tell if your dog is suffering from dog urinary tract infections is to observe your dog's urinating habits. Check if your dog has enough urine every time he pees. If you notice that your dog has to make several attempts before it can excrete urine out of its body, chances are it is suffering from dog urinary problems. A worst scenario is your dog not being able to urinate at all. In this instance, you have to take your dog to the veterinarian immediately as it may already be suffering from a serious case of bladder problem.

Another way to tell if your dog is showing signs of dog urinary problems in their early stages is to observe your dog while taking it out for a walk. Any sign of irregularity, such as cringing in pain, may be a sign that your dog has urinary problems. Foul-smelling urine, blood in the urine, tender bladder, and a reduction of the amount of the dog's urine are signs that you should bring your dog to the veterinarian immediately. If left untreated, your dog could suffer from a more severe case of infection and eventually die.

Although dogs are bound to suffer dog urinary problems in any given time of their life, it is still important that owners know how to at least minimize the possibilities of their dog contracting such a disease. Some of the ways to prevent this from happening are the following: giving the dog enough clean water to drink everyday, giving the dog a regular bath and shampoo, giving the dog proper nutrition and diet, bringing the dog to the vet regularly for check-up, and giving the dog citrus juices and vitamin C.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, then chances are your dog has UTI. In such cases, it is best to bring your dog to the veterinarian so that it will be given proper medication. Do not try to give your dog antibiotics from your shelf, which are usually prescribed for humans as such medicines may not be advisable for dogs. It is always best to consult a veterinarian before giving your dog any medication.

Dog urinary tract infections are life-threatening for dogs. However, they are highly curable. The most important thing is that as a dog owner, you are able to suppress the growth of the infection by knowing its different signs and symptoms.




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