As a result of hypothermia of the animal, weakening of the immune system and concomitant diseases, the bladder membrane can become inflamed. As a result, veterinarians diagnose cystitis. In dogs, the pathology manifests itself quite specifically, so it is difficult not to notice the problem. The pet is transformed from a calm and friendly creature into a nervous and frightened one. At the time of urination, the dog unusually crouches, whines and tries to quickly lick the genitals. This behavior is more likely to indicate inflammation.
Predisposing factors
In the intestines of any healthy dog, a mass of various microorganisms lives. When the pet is healthy, then bacteria cannot harm the body. But once immunity fails, they immediately begin to attack. Cystitis in dogs is caused by E. coli, streptococcus and staphylococcus. These microorganisms are the first to rush into the bladder in case of health problems.
Most susceptible to the disease are pets who are constantly in inappropriate conditions, receive poor-quality nutrition or are subject to constant stress. Often sick and regularly chilled dogs are also at risk.
Cystitis in dogs can develop against the background of inflammatory processes. In this case, treatment depends on pathogenic microorganisms that attacked the urinary tract. In animals diagnosed with urolithiasis or nephritis, bladder inflammation is more likely to develop.
The problem often affects females who have genital pathologies. If there are problems with the uterus or ovaries, it is necessary to take preventive measures against cystitis.
Cystitis in dogs can develop on the background of poor-quality feed. Cheap brands contain too many flavors and dyes that provoke changes in the composition of urine. Increased acidity irritates the walls of the bladder. The mucous membrane is gradually thinning, becoming more vulnerable to the penetration of bacteria.
Types of pathology
Treatment of cystitis in dogs depends on the form of the disease. After all, often the pathology affects not only the bladder, but also goes down below, causing concomitant diseases. Veterinarians can deliver the following types of cystitis:
- Hemorrhagic. An increased level of hemoglobin is noted.
- Catarrhal. It is characterized by an increased protein content in the urine.
- Dystrophic. During urinalysis, a specialist diagnoses the content of particles of inflamed and dead epithelium.
- Purulent. A dangerous form when pus is present in the urine.
Treatment of cystitis in dogs should be entrusted only to a specialist. The veterinarian will prescribe the necessary drugs and procedures based on the tests and history taking.
Causes
There are dog breeds that are at risk. Animals with short legs, such as dachshunds, are more likely to develop the disease. In females, the bladder is inflamed more often. This is due to structural features of the internal organs, frequent pregnancies and childbirth.
Non-specific reason for veterinarians consider mating dogs. The procedure may affect the course of a sluggish process or cause a new disease. The latter happens in the case of an uncontrolled choice of a sexual partner for the animal and infection.
If cystitis is diagnosed in a pregnant bitch, then its treatment is carried out under the strict supervision of a veterinarian. This is due to the fact that many well-known drugs are contraindicated. If the pathology becomes chronic cystitis in dogs of females, their sterilization is recommended. The fact is that constant pregnancies undermine the immune system and the disease is difficult to treat, because many pills are contraindicated.
Cystitis in a dog: symptoms
A loving and caring host usually immediately sees the early signs of the disease. If earlier the animal was affectionate, friendly and playful, then with inflammation of the bladder it becomes nervous, irritable and often refuses to communicate. Pain causes the pet to constantly beg outside, but in the end, there is no urine at all or it is excreted in small drops.
In order to start treating cystitis in a dog in time, every breeder should know the symptoms of the disease:
- Constant urging makes the dog irritable. She often asks outside and can begin to crap at home.
- During urination, the animal makes sounds, crouches and constantly licks the genitals.
- When trying to go to the toilet, the liquid comes out in small tricks. In complicated cases, she completely stops coming out.
If the above signs of cystitis in dogs are considered specific, then pains in the lower abdomen and fever indicate a general intoxication of the body. The lethargy and apathy of the animal also provokes a complete rejection of food.
Any breeder should be wary if the dog does not allow himself to be stroked. The pet is especially nervous about trying to feel the stomach.
Acute cystitis
The dog cystitis medicine is selected according to its shape. The disease is divided into acute and chronic. In the first case, the signs of cystitis in dogs are quite noticeable and any veterinarian will immediately make a diagnosis. If treatment is prescribed on time, then the prognosis is favorable.
In the acute course of the disease, the clinical picture is clearly expressed and the symptomatology clearly characterizes the progressive inflammation. But it is necessary to take a smear and urinalysis to identify the nature of pathogenic microflora. After this, a course of antibacterial therapy and the administration of drugs aimed at eliminating specific symptoms are prescribed. It is also important to calm the dog and relieve pain. Therefore, the doctor will recommend light sedatives and painkillers.
After a properly prescribed course and following all the recommendations of the veterinarian, the animal is completely cured. The whole process takes no more than a week. Relapses are rare if preventive measures are followed.
Chronic form of the disease
A lot of unpleasant minutes brings cystitis in a dog. How to treat inflammation is decided depending on the form of the disease. If the pathology has acquired a chronic form, then it is important to find out the cause that provokes exacerbations. Chronic cystitis is extremely rarely an independent form of the disease. Most often, it is provoked by a number of other problems:
- urolithiasis;
- tumor processes;
- abnormalities in the structure of internal organs;
- bladder tuberculosis.
Therefore, if a dog is diagnosed with chronic cystitis, what to treat and the complex of examinations should relate to the root cause. Only a doctor, based on the collected history, is able to determine the underlying disease.
Essential Dianostic
The appointment with a specialist begins with a general examination and palpation of the abdomen. To do this, you need to completely empty the bladder, which with inflammation can be difficult. Therefore, the doctor can put a catheter. A rather unpleasant disease is cystitis in dogs. Home treatment is acceptable, but in the case of an acute course of the disease. A blood and urine test, in which leukocytes and red blood cells are sharply elevated, will help determine the form of the pathology.
But before home procedures, you should undergo a full examination. All the necessary drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor. For this, the general pH level in the urine and the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibacterial therapy are revealed. In the chronic course of the disease, the initial problem is established, causing constant inflammation. To do this, the following required procedures
- Ultrasound of the prostate and males and uterus in bitches.
- X-ray examination of the pelvic organs.
- General analysis of blood and urine.
When treating at home, you can carry out many activities on your own. But to carry out the above procedures, you will have to contact a veterinary clinic.
Therapeutic measures
If cystitis is diagnosed in dogs, the doctor should choose the drugs for treatment based on the form of the disease, the general condition of the pet, its age and state of health. It is important not to hesitate to go to the veterinary clinic, otherwise the problem can turn into a chronic one. However, measures not always taken lead to a lasting result. If the pet has a genetic predisposition to the disease, then it can come back again and again. In this case, only strict adherence to all recommendations and the implementation of preventive measures will help lead to a stable remission.
It is useful for any pet owner to know how to treat cystitis in a dog at home. Of course, all procedures are carried out under the constant supervision of a veterinarian. The diseased pet is shown dry heat in the abdomen and pelvis. You can use special heating pads, in the absence of such a regular plastic bottle. However, you can use only warm water, avoiding hot. A heating pad is kept in the bladder for up to 20 minutes. 3-4 procedures can be performed per day. If the animal walks outside, then in the cold period of time it is necessary to put warm pants on the dog with an opening for urination.
It is important to completely review the pet's menu. Cereals during treatment are excluded. Salty and spicy foods are prohibited. Doctors recommend the first 2-3 days to feed a sick pet with meat broths. If the dog is completely switched to dry food and weaning is not planned, then a treatment line should be purchased.
Medicines used
To effectively and quickly defeat the disease, cystitis tablets for dogs should be recommended by a doctor after a full examination. The optimal dosage regimen and dosage may depend on the urine and blood tests obtained. So, with a predominance of acidic environment, "Urotropin" will be effective. If an alkaline environment is present in the urine, then "Salol" should be prescribed.
However, tablets and potions will not be able to have the proper effect if the dog does not consume the required amount of fluid. The owner must strictly monitor the drinking regimen of the pet. If necessary, water is injected forcefully using a syringe. This is the only way to accelerate the elimination of pathogenic bacteria. Ammonium chloride can enhance the effect.
But it is not always possible to cure the dog at home. If cystitis is accompanied by the release of pus, then temporary hospitalization will be required to rinse the bladder. The doctor using a catheter introduces an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic solution. The most commonly used are furatsilin, boric acid, potassium permanganate. A similar procedure is best performed in a medical office under anesthesia.
Antibiotic use
Antibiotics for cystitis in dogs are a prerequisite for a complete cure. But you can choose the right drug after analysis and better if they are prescribed according to an individual scheme. The most prescribed medications are:
- Ceftriaxone;
- Monural
- Baytril;
- Amoxicillin.
Often practicing veterinarians prescribe homeopathic medicines. They help to reduce frequent urges and pain. These include Nux Vomica-Homaccord and Atropinum Compositum.
People’s first-aid kit
Folk remedies that have proven themselves well always come to the aid of dog breeders. However, they cannot completely replace the complex treatment recommended by the doctor.
To reduce the acidity of the urine and constant irritation of the mucosa, you can offer the dog cranberry juice. But it is worth remembering that a large number of berries leads to the precipitation of oscalates.
Healing herbs are quite effective and have a healing effect. With difficulties in urinating, the leaves of lingonberry with nettle help well. In addition to the antiseptic effect, the infusion has a diuretic effect and promotes the rapid elimination of pathogens.
Prevention is important
In order not to provoke inflammation of the bladder, it is always important to completely treat infectious diseases. If the veterinarian considered it necessary to prescribe antibiotics, it is important to take their recommended time, and not to quit after the disappearance of the main symptoms of the disease. Pathogenic microorganisms can be suppressed, but not completely defeated, and as soon as taking the pills ends, they rush from the intestines down the genitals. Thus, cystitis often occurs.
It is important to ensure that the animal does not get cold. If this is a decorative dog or deprived of a thick undercoat, then veterinarians advise walking the pet in winter in special clothes that cover the stomach. Craftswomen can sew such overalls on their own. The main thing is that in the area of the abdomen there remains an opening for free urination.
During chronic infections, it is important to find the source of their spread and target it. After all, sometimes there are cases when cystitis caused completely non-related pathologies. Such problems include periodontitis or gingivitis. Veterinarians advise you to carefully monitor your pet, regularly conduct preventive examinations and, at the slightest suspicion of poor health, seek the advice of a specialist.
How to help at home
If you can’t show the dog to the doctor, then up to this point you can help the pet yourself and remove the pain syndrome. To do this, you always need to have cystitis medicines in your medicine cabinet. There is a special kind of drug that is designed for pets. Veterinarians recommend using a suspension of Stop Cystitis. The tool well helps to remove pain, relieves inflammation, removing pathogenic microflora, and has a diuretic effect.
You can use the pills that are used in the practice of treating cystitis in people. Quite a good effect gives Furadonin. The drug has a low price, but has a powerful effect against many pathogenic bacteria. The tablets are almost tasteless, so they can be mixed into the feed. However, the calculation of the dosage is best entrusted to the doctor. It is important to consider the weight of the dog and its well-being. The drug often causes vomiting, so the reception is strictly controlled by a specialist. Among the contraindications is the pregnancy of the animal.
Conclusion
It is better to prevent the development of cystitis in the dog than to treat it later. The disease is quite unpleasant and makes the friendly pet nervous and naughty. The animal may begin to crap at home, but scolding him is not recommended. The fault of such incidents is constant urge and uncontrolled urination. If the problem has gone too far, you can put a diaper on the dog at home.