naturalpet
Urinary Health
Illness Care and Prevention Tips
by Dr. Matthew J. Heller
Dogs and cats can suffer from diseases and disorders similar to those that can trouble their owners. Urinary tract disease is a common cause for concern for pets.
Urinary System Primer The urinary system is vital to any ani- mal’s health, because it is responsible for removing waste products such as chemical byproducts, toxins and drugs from the bloodstream and elimi- nating them as urine. Other vital functions of the system include balancing the body’s pH, transforming vitamin D into an active form, and releasing hormones that aid in regu- lating blood pressure. Urinary tract disease may show up in several ways, including common bacterial infections easily treated with antibiotics, and bladder or kidney stones, which often require surgery. Just as in people, urinary tract disease causes pets pain and is dangerous if left untreated.
30 Hartford County Edition
Many urinary diseases share similar symptoms, any of which should prompt a proper professional diagnosis:
n Frequent straining to urinate, often with little success; if a pet likely has a full bladder and attempts to urinate but nothing passes, consult a veterinarian immediately
n More than the usual licking of the genital area
n Increased urination, sometimes in inappropriate areas, such as inside the home or outside the litter box
n Crying or whimpering when urinating
n Cloudy or bloody urine with a strong odor
n Tenderness in lower abdominal area during examination
As always, providing the veteri- narian with details as to changes in recent potty habits is helpful. Based on a detailed medical history, many veterinarians will proceed to diag- nostic testing that usually begins with a basic urinalysis.
Urinary Tract Infections The most common cause of urinary
tract disease is bacterial infection. For most urinary tract infections (UTI), an antibiotic regime will treat the present infection and lifestyle changes accom- panied by veterinarian-recommended nutraceuticals may aid in preventing future problems.
Certain underlying conditions may predispose a pet to infection, such as a weakened immune system or diabetes. Most canine UTIs are bacterial in origin and as a general rule, female dogs are more prone to experience them because the wider female urethra potentially al- lows more unwanted bacteria to enter. If bacteria then travels to the bladder and is left untreated, it may go on to con- taminate the kidneys and other organs, presenting a serious health risk.
Bladder Stones
Bladder or kidney stones pose a more serious type of urinary disease, and either is of more concern for pets. In suspect situations, radiographic imaging such as X-rays or ultrasounds will help determine treatment. Small female dogs between the ages of 4 and 8 that have a history of blad- der infections are the most vulnerable. While stones are less common in male dogs, it can pose a critical care situation if stones pass from the bladder
www.NAHRT.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48