Similar signs can be seen with urinary stones or obstructions. Your veterinarian can rule out these other problems.
UTIs are a common problem in dogs but relatively uncommon in cats. However, inflammation of the urinary tract in cats may produce UTI-like symptoms, and is a serious health problem. If your cat exhibits any of the above symptoms, take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Male cats can show the above signs when their urinary tract is obstructed. This can be life threatening in a short period of time.
Females have a wider and shorter urethra than males and are affected by UTIs more often. Males can get UTIs though, especially when they are intact (non-neutered). UTIs are also more likely to affect older, spayed dogs who experience incontinence. Unfortunately, the cause of UTIs in pets is generally unknown.
Your veterinarian will test your pet's urine to diagnose a UTI. A urinalysis is the examination of urine for abnormal substances such as blood, protein, sugar or white blood cells, which may indicate a UTI. Urine samples can be collected by having the pet urinate in a container. A sample can also be retrieved from the bladder by catheterization or by drawing urine directly from the bladder with a needle.
A bacterial urine culture will be performed to identify the presence of bacteria, which will confirm that a UTI is present. If the urinalysis indicates that your pet has a UTI, your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics to treat the condition. On a more holistic note, learn how to keep your pets UTI free and treat without the use of antibiotics here.
There are some steps you can take at home to decrease the incidence of UTIs.
Make sure that your pet has access to plenty of clean, fresh water. When urine remains in the bladder for a long time, bacteria can multiply and your pet will be more prone to infection. Let your pet outside every few hours to help him eliminate bacteria. If you have an indoor cat, make sure her litter box is always accessible and clean.
Taking your dog on at least two walks a day will also increase the frequency of urination and may reduce the risk of infection. Occasionally the infection causing bacteria will swim up your pet's ureter and may cause a dangerous kidney infection called pyelonephritis. If you notice any changes in your pet's normal urinary habits, take him to your veterinarian before an infection turns into a potentially serious health problem.
Urinary tract infections are just as uncomfortable for pets as they are for people, and they get them nearly as often. Caused by bacteria in the bladder or urethra (the tube through which urine flows), urinary tract infections can make it very painful to urinate. And, if the infections aren't caught early, they can spread upward to the kidneys, causing serious problems.
Both holistic and mainstream veterinarians treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics, but holistic vets go a little further. They use a variety of natural remedies to strengthen the immune system so that it is better able to resist the infection. In addition, they feel that it is important to correct imbalances in the body that allow bacteria to thrive.
What are the Signs of a Urinary Tract Infection?
There is blood in your pet's urine.
Your pet cries or strains when urinating.
The urine has a bad smell.
Your pet wants to go out more often or is having accidents in the house.
How can you Help?
Safely and effectively treat the causes and the symptoms of urinary tract and bladder infections in pets naturally with UTI-Free, a selected combination of herbal and homeopathic ingredients. UTI-Free keeps pets UTI free without antibiotics. This is definitely one remedy you want to keep on hand at all times, just in case reduce irritation with herbs.
An herbal tincture called Goldenrod Horsetail Compound, which contains corn silk, goldenrod, horsetail, pipsissewa leaf, and juniper berry, can help sooth and support an irritated urinary system. Dogs weighing under 15 pounds can have half a dropperful of the tincture twice a day until they are feeling better.
Larger dogs can take between one and two droppersful a day. The easiest way to give the tincture is to mix it in your pet's food.
An alternative, if you cannot find this compound, is a homeopathic Antibiotic Tincture, which is something every household should have anyway, to help heal a variety of ailments that might normally require an antibiotic.
Alcohol tinctures aren't safe for long-term use in cats, so an herbal tea is a better choice. Look for a combination of goldenrod, horsetail, parsley, marsh mallow root and elderberry called Urinary Tea Blend. Cats can take one teaspoon of the cooled tea three times a day until the symptoms have cleared up.
Relieve pain with Cantharis - The homeopathic remedy Cantharis will quickly ease discomfort in pets that are straining to urinate. It is most effective when there is also blood in the urine. Give two or three 30C pellets at the first sign of infection and repeating the treatment once an hour for three hours. Your pet doesn't have to swallow the pellets. Just put them in her mouth, where they will be absorbed by the mucous membranes. If your pet isn't getting better within 12 hours, you will want to call your vet.
Stop infection with cranberry - Cranberry stops bacteria from adhering to the surface of the bladder and it acidifies the urine. Bacteria doesn't thrive in an acid environment. It would take alot of cranberry juice to make a difference though because most pets dislike the taste. You can, however, give Cranberry Fruit Extract. You can give one capsule for every 20 pounds of pet.
Boost immunity with TF Pets - the most advanced immune support supplements ever formulated for dogs and cats. These high-quality Human Grade ingredients provide triple strength protection with Transfer Factor XF™, ThymuPro™, and Cordyvant™. This powerful and proprietary blend of ingredients works together to activate and enhance the immune system's ability to respond to the many pathogens your pet comes in contact with. In many ways, our pets face even more health challenges than we do, because they come in contact with a less clean environment than humans, and are therefore more susceptible to many other pathogens. Because of this, it is much more important to provide them with the immune support and nutritional needs that keep them healthy and happy.
Strengthen the body with vitamin C - Vitamin C is also great for the lining of the bladder because it is a natural anti-inflammatory. Pets under 15 pounds can be given 250mg of vitamin C, twice a day. Pets 15 to 50 pounds can have 500mg, twice a day, and larger dogs can take 1,000mg, twice a day. Use a buffered form of vitamin C such as Ester C, because it is less likely to irritate the digestive track. Since vitamin C can cause diarrhea, you may have to cut back the dose until you find the right amount your pet can tolerate. This is known as bowel tolerance.
Restore the body's balance - The problem with antibiotics is that they kill beneficial bacteria along with those that cause infection. To restore a healthful bacterial balance when your pet is taking antibiotics for infection, you may want to give supplements containing Lactobacillus Bifidus. Give pets under 20 pounds one-eighth teaspoon twice a day. Larger pets can take one-quarter teaspoon twice a day. But wait an hour or two after your pet takes the antibiotic. Lots of yogurt works great too!
Switch to a chemical-free food - The chemical additives, preservatives and artificial colors in many commercial pet foods may weaken immunity and make pets more vulnerable to infections. Stick with home cooking or with high-quality, all natural pet food such as Life's Abundance.
Give additional fluids - Dogs and cats that don't drink alot also don't urinate alot, and this allows bacteria to stay inside the bladder and urinary tract. You can't force pets to drink, but you can increase their fluid intake by giving them moist foods or by moistening dry food with a little bit of water or chicken broth.
Provide clean water - The chemicals in some drinking water can deter pets from drinking. This makes them more susceptible to infection because their urine gets very concentrated. It is recommended that you give your dog or cat filtered or spring water to encourage them to relieve and to also prevent urinary tract infections (especially if your dog or cat is prone to them).
Provide plenty pee breaks - When dogs or cats are recovering from urinary tract infections, you want to encourage them to urinate as often as possible. Frequent urination will prevent urine in the bladder from getting too concentrated.
Keep her clean - Females that were spayed at an early age sometimes develop loose tissue that allows urine to pool around the urethra. In females, the urethra is very short and bacteria can ascend very quickly to the bladder. If your pet gets infections frequently, you may be able to prevent problems by giving her bottom a quick wipe with a baby wipe or wet paper towel whenever she urinates. This will remove bacteria before they get a chance to move upstream.
When to call the vet
Most urinary tract infections will go away fairly quickly once they are treated with antibiotics. But they can also get worse, sometimes very quickly. The infection can ascend into the kidney and cause very serious problems. If you suspect your pet has an infection, it is fine to wait for a day before calling your vet. But if she isn't getting better by then (after having tried some of the solutions above) and seems to be in pain, you will need to make an appointment right away. An exception to this wait-and-see rule is if your pet is straining to urinate, but nothing is coming out. Pets that cannot urinate could have a stone blocking the urethra. This is especially common in male cats. This requires emergency medical treatment.
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