Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pets often refer to bacterial infections of the urinary tract. It mainly affects the urinary bladder, though it may also affect other arts like the urethra or the kidney. Urinary tract infections are common in female dogs and older cats above ten years. In cats above the age of 10 years, UTIs are usually associated with other conditions, such as chronic kidney disease.
UTIs interfere with your pet's excretory system and can cause much discomfort. At Cats & Dogs Animal Hospital in Long Beach, CA, we have provided local pet owners with pet urinary tract treatment for many years.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection
The symptoms your pet exhibits depend on the affected part of the urinary system. The disease mainly affects the bladder. Therefore, you may notice urgent and frequent urination (pollakiuria) in the pet. You may also see some level of straining while urinating (stranguria) and blood in the urine (hematuria). The urine may also have a foul smell and be produced in unusually small volumes. The infection may occur in one kidney or both kidneys. The animal may not exhibit obvious symptoms. Symptoms include lethargy, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, and blood in the urine.
Diagnosis and Treatment of UTIs
Our veterinarian in Long Beach collects urine via the cystocentesis technique to determine whether your dog or cat has a UTI. It involves inserting a needle through the body wall into the bladder and removing some urine through a syringe. It is a painless and safe technique for the pet.
Our veterinarian will analyze a small amount of urine under a microscope. If they notice bacteria, increased white blood cells, or both, they may recommend undertaking a urine culture. Though an increased number of white blood cells in the urine does not translate to a pet UTI, it is an indication of inflammation in the urinary tract.
A urine culture is the best way to diagnose the presence of a UTI. It involves taking some of the collected urine to a laboratory to try and grow the bacteria. If the bacteria grows, it indicates a UTI, and the veterinarian will identify the organism and perform an antimicrobial susceptibility test.
In some cases, the veterinarian may need to perform more tests like blood imaging, such as ultrasound or radiographs, since the UTI may be caused by other diseases such as kidney disease, feline leukemia, or bladder stones.
The veterinarian will begin treatment as soon as the cause and nature of the infection are established. The treatment duration will depend on several factors, like the animal's age, the type of bacteria, and the pet species.
Cats & Dogs Animal Hospital Can Help Restore Your Pet’s Health
UTIs can be highly uncomfortable for your pet, so you need emergency pet care to relieve them from the stress. Contact Cats & Dogs Animal Hospital in Long Beach, CA, at (562) 439-4228 for diagnosis and treatment. The veterinarian will diagnose and adequately treat your pet and advise you on preventing the infection depending on the cause to prevent a recurrence.