Acute Cystitis in Dogs

An inflammation to the urinary bladder normally caused by bacterial infection is Acute Cystitis. Female dogs are most common patients of acute cystitis than male dogs. Most cases of acute cystitis have an ascending effect. Ascending means that the bacteria arises from a lower part of the body such as the intestinal tract or at the perineum, the skin of the anus, ascending to the urethra proceeding to the urinary bladder, hence yielding to acute cystitis.

Female vagina of dogs as well as prostate glands of male dogs may also be the potential sources of acute cystitis. If you notice a blood in the urine, or when there's straining when urinating, or if there's increased urination manifested by your dogs, then a probable acute cystitis may be present. According to research, possible causes of acute cystitis include stones, tumors of the bladder, nervous system problems, and some diseases and medications.

Some bladder stones may infect the urinary bladder and may produce bacterial cystitis. For instance, certain types of bacteria such as Staph and Proteus may cause growth of a specific type of bladder stone called struvite. Tumors makes susceptible to bacterial urinary tract infection. Meanwhile, nervous system problems hinder the dog in emptying the urinary bladder so as to avoid possible development of bacterial urinary tract infection. However, some diseases such as Cushing's disease and medications that weakens the immune system may also lead to bacterial urinary tract infection as well.

A series of diagnostic tests to identify acute cystitis include a complete medical history of the dog's health and family's health and a comprehensive physical examination which includes palpation of the abdomen to investigate whether the bladder is functioning normally. Medical history involves queries on the sexual information about the dog--- whether it's intact or neutered, as well as information about the dog's appetite, water in-take and urination, weight loss, previous medications and previous illnesses.

Another diagnostic test that may be done is urinalysis. This is performed to evaluate the content of white blood cells, red blood cells and crystals present in the urine. Bacteria are examined under the microscope however absence of bacteria may not conclude a non acute cystitis result for excessive alkaline urine or high pH level may indicate urinary tract infection as well.

When bacteria are found in the urine it will then be subjected to culture and sensitivity to ascertain which type of bacteria is offending the urinary bladder. The types of bacteria that are commonly identified are E.coli, Staph or strep, and proteus. Cystocentesis or the collection of urine using a sterile needle that is passed through the abdominal wall going to the bladder and catheterization or the collection of urine through a catheter going through the urethra and then into the bladder using a sterile technique should be done properly so as to assure that the interpretation of the results are accurate and valid.

Preventing acute cystitis involves giving abundant water access to your pet to help clean your dog's system. Likewise avoid giving your dog medications that would suppress its immune system such as the cortisone-like drugs. Administer antibiotics in the morning or evening and comply with your dog's veterinarian's instructions.

Treatment and Prevention of Acute Cystitis in Dogs
A blood in the urine or a straining sensation when urinating, as well as increased urination exhibited by your pet dog may be symptoms of bacterial infection in the urinary bladder called acute cystitis.

Possible causes of acute cystitis include stones as there are types of bladder stones that may infect the urinary bladder and produce bacteria; tumors of the bladder, however, may lead to urinary tract infection as well since types of bacteria such as Staph and Proteus may lead to development and growth of a type of bladder stone called struvite. Meanwhile, nervous system problems could prevent the dog from urinating and emptying the bladder. If the bladder could not perform its function well such as completely emptying the bladder then possible growth of bacteria may also develop. Lastly, some diseases and medications such as Cushing's disease and cortisone-like medications weaken the immune system and lead to bacterial urinary tract infection.

Female dogs are most common patients of acute cystitis than male dogs; the female vagina of dogs and prostate glands of male dogs are potential sources of acute cystitis in them. Acute cystitis is said to have in an ascending manner. This means that the bacteria arises somewhere in the lower part of the urinary tract organ such as the intestinal tract or at the perineum, the skin of the anus, proceeding to the urethra and then to the urinary bladder.

Diagnostic tests to ascertain presence of acute cystitis include complete medical history of the dog which involves asking of information about the sexual activities of the dog such as knowing if it's intact or neutered, asking information about the dog's water consumption and urination, appetite for food and weight loss, previous medications and illnesses experienced.

A physical examination that evaluates the palpation of the abdomen to check whether the bladder is normal is likewise done. This is why regular veterinary visits is advised to early detect possible signs.Urinalysis is also implemented to check white blood cells, red blood cells and crystals presence in the urine; excessive alkaline urine or high pH level may indicate urinary tract infection as well, hence it is important to have urinalysis test procedure even if bacteria may not show in the results.

However when bacteria are found in the urine the next step is to do a culture and sensitivity test to identify which type of bacteria is causing the infection to the urinary bladder. E.coli, Staph or strep, and proteus are among the types of bacteria commonly seen under the microscope.

Treatment for acute cystitis includes a two to three weeks of antibiotic therapy. The result of the cultured bacteria to identify which antibiotic must be used to treat the specific bacteria is recommended by the veterinarian. However since the body's kidney naturally produces its antibiotic that's penicillin the urinary tract infection is treated naturally. In this case, sometimes veterinarians do not have to recommend bacteria culture and sensitivity since he could just choose the antibiotic initially used when the urinary tract infection that was first detected was treated.