Especially during the cold and wet season, dogs can also suffer from painful inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) and the entire lower urinary tract. The causes and symptoms are similar to those of bladder infections in humans. Is your dog urinating more frequently than usual and in pain when doing so, or has it even accidentally urinated in the house even though it has been house-trained for a long time? Then your dog may be suffering from a bladder infection, which should be treated by a veterinarian.
Infectious or non-infectious causes can be responsible for the development of cystitis. Infectious causes include bacteria, mycoplasma (very small bacteria without a cell wall), fungi, or parasites, with most infectious cystitis being caused by bacteria that enter the bladder from outside via the urethra. Although dogs of any age and gender can be affected, older, spayed female dogs are more susceptible than average because they have a shorter and wider urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.
Cold and damp conditions are the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Cystitis often occurs in wet and cold weather or after swimming in cool water in summer, when the dog's coat remains cold and damp for a long time.
Non-infectious causes of cystitis can include bladder and urinary stones, malformations or deformities of the urinary tract, bladder or urethra tumors, or a weakened immune system. Bladder stones or urinary crystals cause inflammation through mechanical irritation of the bladder mucosa, while hormonal disorders such as Cushing's syndrome or diabetes lead to a weakened immune system, allowing bacteria that naturally occur in the urinary tract to multiply excessively and cause inflammation. However, non-infectious bladder infections are less common than infectious ones.
A further distinction is made between acute and chronic cystitis in terms of its course. If infection occurs as a result of infection with certain bacteria, this is referred to as acute inflammation. Chronic inflammation is further divided into recurrences and reinfections. In the case of recurrences, the original inflammation returns one or more times because the pathogen has not been successfully eliminated. This is usually due to incorrect or insufficient medication, too short a treatment period, or resistance (insensitivity to the medication used) of the pathogen. Reinfection occurs when the dog becomes infected with different pathogens over a longer period of time. These dogs usually suffer from a weakened immune system.
Depending on the exact cause, the clinical signs of cystitis can vary and in some cases be completely absent. Classic symptoms of cystitis include increased and sometimes painful urge to urinate, uncleanliness, frequent or even absent urination, bloody urine, unnatural urine odor, fatigue, and in severe cases, fever. If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your dog, you should take them to the vet for a check-up.
A detailed preliminary report and the symptoms present already provide the veterinarian with valuable information about the course of the disease. To confirm the suspicion of a bladder infection, a urine sample is required as standard, which must not be older than one to three hours. The urine is then examined in the laboratory for its various components, its pH value (a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution), and any pathogens. A microscopic examination can detect inflammatory cells, bacteria, blood, or urinary crystals.
If the results are unclear and to rule out other diseases, it may be advisable to carry out further blood tests. In many cases, ultrasound or X-ray images are also taken to detect tumors or bladder stones.
Depending on the diagnosed cause, bladder infections are treated with the appropriate antibiotics, antifungal or antiparasitic medications. In cases of severe pain, the veterinarian will often prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. The duration of treatment can vary depending on the course of the disease and may last up to four weeks or even longer. It is essential to follow the dosage and treatment duration prescribed by the veterinarian to prevent the development of resistance and the risk of recurrence. If bladder stones or tumors are confirmed, surgery is often the only option for treating the dog.
As the owner, you can support your dog during the healing phase with a few simple measures. During this time, take special care to ensure that your dog does not lie on cold floors and dry it thoroughly if it gets wet. Do not let it go swimming on purpose. As with humans, it is particularly important to drink plenty of fluids when suffering from cystitis. Always provide your dog with plenty of fresh water and moisten its food if necessary.
Although acute cystitis is unpleasant and painful for our dog, it usually heals completely without any consequences when treated correctly. If cystitis is not treated or is treated inadequately, complications can arise that worsen the chances of recovery. Without appropriate treatment, the pathogens can multiply unchecked and attack other organs. The most common complications of a bladder infection include pyelonephritis, urinary stones, or prostate inflammation in male dogs.
Unfortunately, bladder infections cannot be completely prevented, just as in humans. However, as a dog owner, there is a lot you can do to minimize the risk of your dog developing a bladder infection. In wet and cold weather, make sure that your dog is thoroughly dried off after a walk and can lie down in a warm place. Dogs without a protective undercoat are particularly at risk of hypothermia and can be protected in winter with a coat.
Also, make sure your dog has enough opportunities to relieve itself every day, as urine helps flush out pathogens. If too much urine builds up in the bladder over a long period of time, pathogens can multiply quickly.
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