Understanding Urinary Problems in Pets.

Understanding the potty habits of our pets is what pet owners usually try to adapt and get comfortable with, for those people whose pets cannot access the toilets on their own, they give signals to indicate it is pee or poo time, and pet owners understand these signs out-rightly.

Image source

However, if your pet begins to demand for more pee time or has become unable to control himself or herself from messing up sitting areas, then something may be wrong with his or her urinary tract. Before we go further, let's explore for example what the component of the urinary tract of a dog entails; we have the ureters, the urethra, the urinary bladder, and the kidney.

The anatomical parts of the urinary tract can be found inside the abdomen, and the retroperitoneal space (which is an area in the back of the abdomen). There are several functions of the urinary tract; balance maintenance of electrolytes, blood filtration to remove toxins, water re-absorption for the body, and the maintenance of electrolyte balance.

Different ailments could arise from urinary issues, and similar to humans, affect our pets too. Some of the most common ailments are; urinary stones that form in the kidneys, urethra, or in the bladder, UTIs, urinary stones, and cystitis which is an inflammation of the bladder wall.

While humans can have a prolonged or worsened urinary case due to chemical exposure, smoking, and other lifestyle-related problem, in pets the case is quite different, it mostly develop in dogs and cats as a secondary disease or due to genetics.

Your pet consuming too little or too much water, suddenly having an abnormal urination pattern like straining to urinate, urinating little or large volumes, blood in the urine, and urinary accidents are signs to watch out for. There is no age or size issue when it comes to the occurrence of urinary issues in dogs, it can happen to dogs of all ages, breeds, sexes, and sizes.

Aside from frequent urination, other signs to look out for to understand if urinary issues are a thing to suspect, these signs should be watched out for as well; pain, frequently drinking water, straining to urinate, and reduced appetite.

When you get your pet to the vet, there will be a clear thorough review of your dog's history alongside a physical examination, before diagnosis is been made. Additional tests may be carried out to help gain extra information, I am referring to tests like; Urine culture, radiography, blood tests, urinalysis, and ultra sound.

The test carried out will help in determining what the problem is and the available treatment plans. Blood tests will help to rule out other underlying problems like Cushing's disease or diabetes. Radiographs, on the other hand, will help rule out the presence of urinary stones, while ultrasound will rule out growth or tumors present in the bladder.

If after some diagnosis, your vet figures out a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. If your pet suffers from hormonal imbalance, then hormone therapy may be recommended. Testosterone may be administered to a male dog that has urinary incontinence.

Recommendations are often provided to help your pet in the support and improvement of health, Your vet may most likely suggest an adaption to the lifestyle and diet of your pet, to help in the improvement and the support of their urinary health. Make sure that your pet has constant access to clean and fresh water, encouraging frequent consumption, This will help them to have their urine diluted and help them urinate more frequently in a manner that the system will be flushed out.

There should also be a careful food selection to help with the improvement of the urinary functionality of the pet. There are also veterinary diets that can help with the improvement of the urinary tract, it will do this through the dissolving of some stones and prevent their reoccurrence. The formulas in the diets will help dilute the urine, and help influence the mineral composition and PH of the dog's urine.

The moment a vet finds a UTI, the infection needs to be cleared with the appropriate antibiotics. In the case of a long-term bladder problem, some pets respond to nutraceuticals or antioxidants to help with the restoration of the integrity of the bladder wall.

Conclusion.

Urinary problems could create severe discomfort in your pet, and even create a long-term health issue. If there is any change in the urinary habit of your pet, it is a wise and smart idea to immediately contact your vet.