Definition

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial, fungal or algal infection anywhere along the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. The medical term for a urinary tract infection is “cystitis”.

Causes of Canine Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections are usually caused by intestinal or environmental bacteria that enter and ascend the urethra, ultimately proliferating in the urinary bladder. The most common bacterial culprits are Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Proteus, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Enterobacter, Chlamydia and Pseudomonas. Most bacterial UTIs in dogs are caused by only one bacterial species, although occasionally multiple species are involved. In some cases, microorganisms other than bacteria cause UTIs, including fungi (Candida, Cryptococcus neoformans, Trichosporon, Rhodotorula, others), mycoplasma, viruses, algae and other fungi. In addition to the pain and discomfort caused by these infections, the bacterial or other contributing organisms can spread to areas other than the lower urinary tract, particularly the ureters and kidneys. Even more dangerous is the potential for systemic infection, which is a life-threatening emergency.

Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection in Dogs

When underlying predisposing conditions cannot be controlled or eliminated, dogs with UTIs may need to be on long-term, low dose prophylactic antibiotic treatment. This preventative measure carries its own risks, including development of antibiotic resistance, which is increasingly a problem in both veterinary and human medicine. The indiscriminate use of urinary catheters should be avoided. Free access to fresh water can help flush microorganisms out of the urinary tract. Regular urination is also important to reduce the accumulation, reproduction and concentration of bacteria and other organisms in the urinary bladder.

Special Notes

Hard to prevent, difficult to detect and dangerous if untreated, urinary tract infections affect dogs of all ages and breeds. Because so many dogs with UTIs do not show symptoms of disease, it is especially important for owners to rely on veterinary protocols for accurate diagnosis. We cannot overemphasize the importance of regular veterinary examinations, including standard blood tests and urinalyses, to identify the many urinary tract infections that go undiagnosed, because the dogs do not act unusual. Chronic UTIs can damage the lining and underlying tissues of the urinary tract and become much more difficult to treat with the passage of time.