Cystitis in dogs: treatment, symptoms, causes

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Often in debilitated animals, the mucous membrane of the bladder becomes inflamed, and as a result, cystitis develops. In dogs, treatment is reduced to a complex intake of drugs, modulating support and removal of unpleasant symptoms. It is quite simple to notice an unpleasant disease in a four-legged friend. If in the process of going to the toilet the animal is nervous, whines, crouches and even barks, then most likely the problem is inflammation.

Cause of disease development

A variety of bacteria live in the body of every dog. If the animal is he althy, then they do not harm it. But as soon as immunity decreases, then pathogenic organisms immediately begin to attack it. Conditionally pathogenic organisms live in the intestine - staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus and E. coli. They are the first to colonize the bladder and cause inflammation.

Special predisposition to diseaseobserved in dogs that are not properly cared for, experiencing constant stress, often ill and exposed to hypothermia.

Against the background of various infectious diseases, cystitis can also develop in dogs. Treatment will depend on the pathogenic microflora that has descended to the genitourinary organs. Animals that are sick are most likely to develop cystitis:

• jade;
• Urolithiasis;
• glomerulonephritis.

Often the problem is found in females who have problems with the genitals, in particular with the uterus.

Cystitis can also occur when a dog takes poor-quality food. Synthetic additives, flavorings and preservatives change the composition of urine, which in turn irritates the bladder. The membranes become especially sensitive to pathogens, and immunity drops sharply.

Disease types

Cystitis can manifest itself in different ways in a dog. Symptoms and treatment vary. Often the disease affects not only the bladder, but also falls even lower. In this case, the urethra suffers. Specialists distinguish the following forms of the disease:

1. Catarrhal. Tests show increased protein in the urine.
2. Hemorrhagic. Significantly increased hemoglobin levels.
3. Dystrophic. In the analysis sample, particles of inflamed epithelium are diagnosed.
4. Purulent. There is pus in the discharge.

Non-specific causes

Some breeds are particularly prone to developing the disease. This is especially true for dogs with short legs, such as dachshunds or spaniels. Females get sick more often than males. This is due to the structure of the genital organs, pregnancy and childbirth.

Mating can also contribute to the disease. This procedure exacerbates the chronic course of cystitis or causes a new disease if an infection has been introduced. It is worth noting that the treatment of a pregnant dog should be entrusted only to a veterinarian. In this case, many popular drugs are simply contraindicated. If there is a chronic course of the disease, then the specialist may suggest sterilization.

Cystitis in a dog - symptoms

Treatment at home is possible only with an uncomplicated illness and under the full guidance of a specialist. Inappropriate behavior of the pet will help to notice the beginning of the development of the problem. If earlier the dog was quite calm, then the pain syndrome will certainly make it irritable. An active four-legged friend suddenly becomes lethargic and shows apathy to the former entertainments. Any owner should be alerted by the following symptoms:

1. The animal began to urinate frequently. In this case, the selection comes out in small portions.
2. The calm posture of the dog changes, while urinating it crouches and whines.
3. A pet may suddenly urinate on the floor at home.
4. The dog asks to go outside, tries to go to the toilet, but the liquid either comes out in drops or does not come out at all.

If the above symptoms are specific, then there are a number of manifestations that indicate a general infection of the body:

• fever;
• lack of appetite;
• pain in the lower abdomen.

Often dogs don't let themselves be stroked. Animals are especially nervous when you try to feel their stomach.

Acute disease

Cystitis in dogs is divided into two forms. Treatment will be most effective if started as soon as the first signs appear. At first, the disease is characterized by an acute course. All symptoms are pronounced, and the clinical picture is not smeared. The veterinarian, after taking tests for pathogenic microflora, prescribes antibiotic therapy. After completing the course, the pet fully recovers. As a rule, the duration of the disease is no more than a week.

Chronic form

Chronic cystitis in dogs is more of a problem. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the problem. If the situation with frequent urination is repeated repeatedly, then the specialist may assume a complicated disease. Therefore, it is necessary to find the cause that causes such relapses. Quite rarely, chronic cystitis is the original disease. Often there are other problems behind this manifestation:

• tumor process;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• kidney stones;
• anomalies in the development of the genitourinary system;
• urinary tuberculosisbubble.

Therefore, if a dog has persistent cystitis, treatment should be tailored to the primary problem that only a veterinarian can identify.

Diagnostic measures

During the examination, the doctor will first feel the pet's stomach. Often requires prior emptying of the bladder. If this cannot be achieved naturally, then a catheter is placed. Treatment of cystitis in dogs at home is possible if the analysis shows an acute form of the disease. At the same time, the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes sharply increases in the urine.

However, the drugs should be selected by a doctor. To do this, it is necessary to establish the pH of the secretions and the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics. If a chronic form is diagnosed, then the veterinarian must find the cause of the persistent inflammation. To do this, the mandatory set of examinations includes:

1. Ultrasound (uterus in females and prostate in males).
2. X-ray examinations.
3. Blood and urine tests.

It is clear that it is difficult to carry out such procedures at home, so a trip to the veterinary clinic is a must.

Treatment of cystitis

If a veterinarian has diagnosed cystitis in dogs, treatment should begin immediately. Only in this case it is possible to achieve a stable result and prevent the transition of the disease into a chronic form. However, the disease can return if the pet has a predisposition to it. To prevent this, after treatmentattention must be paid to preventive measures.

Treatment of cystitis in dogs at home is carried out under the supervision and control of a veterinarian. First of all, the animal needs warmth and rest. It is recommended to warm the bladder area with a heating pad or a regular bottle filled with warm water. Similar procedures are carried out 3-4 times a day. Keep warm for about 15-20 minutes. You can put special warm pants on your dog.

You should review your pet's diet. During treatment, it is not recommended to feed with cereals. It is also necessary to limit s alty foods, which retain fluid in the body. At the beginning of the disease, meat broth is the best option. If the animal is accustomed to dry food, then you should purchase a therapeutic version of the usual brand.

Medications

To effectively treat cystitis in a dog, drugs for treatment should be selected by a doctor. He will also recommend the dosage and optimal dosage regimen. In this case, a laboratory study of urine is mandatory. If the analyzes showed the presence of an alkaline environment, then "Salol" will be effective. If an acidic environment prevails, then Urotropin is prescribed.

To speed up the elimination of pathogens, the dog should drink often and a lot. Therefore, it is necessary to establish strict control over the drinking regimen. Ammonium chloride will help in removing bacteria.

If a dog has pus in the urine, a bladder flush will be required. For thisa catheter with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory solutions is used. Solutions of boric acid, furacilin and potassium permanganate have proven themselves well. This procedure is prescribed and carried out by a veterinarian in a treatment room.

Antibacterial therapy

An essential condition is antibiotics for cystitis in a dog. Treatment is carried out according to an individual scheme, and the drugs are knocked out on the basis of tests. The main medicines are:

• "Monural";
• "Amoxicillin";
• "Ceftriaxone";
• "Baytril".

In addition, you can add homeopathic remedies that will help relieve frequent urges and reduce pain during urination. These can be "Atropinum compositum" and "Nux vomica-Homaccord".

Home first aid kit

In the medicine cabinet of any owner of a four-legged friend there should be pills for cystitis in dogs. Rapid treatment and preventive action has the drug "Stop-cystitis". The suspension effectively relieves inflammation, removes pathogenic bacteria and relieves painful spasms. In addition, the product has an antimicrobial and good diuretic effect.

Pretty good, but a budget option is furadonin. It is effective against many bacteria, therefore it has a bactericidal effect. Tablets are given to the dog along with food, but the dosage is calculated by the doctor based on the weight of the pet. However, the drug can cause vomiting, so the use is strictly controlled. It is not recommended to give the product to pregnant dogs.

Using folk remedies

Treatment of cystitis in a dog with folk remedies complements, but does not replace, general therapy. Cranberry juice is very effective. It quickly reduces the acidity of urine and eliminates inflammation. However, in large quantities, it can cause scaling to precipitate.

Various collections of medicinal herbs are also quite popular. If urination is disturbed, then an infusion of nettle with lingonberry leaves will help. It has antiseptic properties and promotes more efficient removal of fluid from the body.

Problem Prevention

To prevent inflammation of the bladder, it is always necessary to treat infectious diseases and not stop taking pills after the main symptoms disappear. In addition, it is required to maintain the animal's immunity at the proper level and prevent hypothermia.

If the pet is too small or lacks thick hair, it is recommended to walk it in a special overall during the cold season. The dog should not be allowed to endure and delay urination for a long time.

If a chronic process has developed, then all possible sources of infection are treated. Similar problems can overtake a pet even with gingivitis or periodontitis. Therefore, it is important to monitor the general well-being of the animal and have regular check-ups with the veterinarian.