When an animal is sick, it's not easy for the owner either!Firstly, it is incredibly sad for the poor thing, secondly, time (which is already in short supply) is required additionally, and special knowledge would not be superfluous either. That is why we strive to protect our pets from possible diseases by vaccinating them, following diets and visiting the vet on time. However, not all possible illnesses can be prevented with timely vaccination. Cystitis in dogs is one of the diseases for which there are no vaccinations, and therefore no guarantees. What kind of disease is it, where does it come from, how does it progress and how is it treated? Let's figure it all out.
What is cystitis?
Cystitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder.bladder. It occurs in absolutely all warm-blooded animals, including humans. In dogs, this disease occurs in acute or chronic form, and in its manifestations it can be infectious, toxic or allergic. However, timely treatment of any form of cystitis, as a rule, is effective. Dogs suffer from cystitis less often than cats, but they suffer from it more severely. Female dogs suffer from this disease more often than males (boys - very rarely). And the age of the animal plays almost no role. A puppy, and a fully grown animal, and an elderly dog can get cystitis. Factors that make a dog vulnerable to this disease can be: pregnancy and childbirth, constipation, radiation therapy, diseases of the genitals. Naturally, dogs with weakened immunity are also more susceptible to this disease.
Causes of cystitis
Hypothermia can cause cystitisanimal (bathing in a cold place, drafts, walks in a strong wind or frost). But most often dog cystitis has an infectious nature. This disease is caused by streptococci, staphylococci, E. coli, which get into the bladder with blood and lymph or are brought there by a dirty catheter. Cystitis can also be associated with a sexually transmitted infection (yes, animals also suffer from love!), with stones or parasites in the bladder (the result of improper nutrition or helminthic invasion). Female dogs suffering from inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis), uterus (metritis) or cysts can also get cystitis (incidentally), as well as boys with inflammation or other diseases of the prostate gland. Poor maintenance of the dog (failure to observe basic hygiene, drafty and wet enclosures) can also provoke the occurrence of cystitis, especially in puppies and in short-legged and stocky dogs. As for puppies, the cause of cystitis in them can be anomalies of the urethra, which must be treated surgically.
Signs of the disease
First of all, it is worth noting that dogs have cystitis.may also be asymptomatic. That is, there are no obvious signs of the disease, but there are subtle signs. The animal may become too lethargic or, on the contrary, unusually aggressive. In this case, cystitis can only be diagnosed in a laboratory setting. However, most often the symptoms of cystitis are pronounced. The first and most obvious sign of the disease is frequent urge to urinate, pain and uncontrollability of the process. Therefore, if your well-behaved dog suddenly peed in the house, this may be one of the signs of the disease. In this case, the owner should pay attention to how often the dog asks (or goes) to the toilet to pee, how much (in volume) it pees. A sick animal will urinate in small portions, but often. Other obvious symptoms of cystitis are cloudy urine, the appearance of mucus or blood in it, purulent discharge on the genitals. Pressing your fingers on the dog's lower abdomen will be painful for it: the animal may start to worry, whine, or even snap. Symptoms that may be signs of not only cystitis, but also other diseases: loss of appetite, increased thirst, vomiting, fever. As soon as you notice such symptoms, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. It is the doctor who will be able to give the dog the correct diagnosis, determine the severity of the disease, and prescribe effective treatment.
Treatment of cystitis
The veterinarian will prescribe the main course of treatment for the dog.only after the results of laboratory tests. Most likely, you will be prescribed antibiotics, possibly prescribed a bladder lavage procedure, as well as medications to relieve spasms and pain. Your participation in the treatment of the dog is simply necessary, but please do not be too self-confident and do not buy antibiotics yourself. Only a veterinarian can determine which drug will be most effective and how exactly to treat cystitis in your dog. And what do you need to do to ensure that the treatment is effective and the recovery of your pet (or pet) is quick? To begin with, create all the conditions for a comfortable "sick leave" for the dog. Try to disturb the animal as little as possible, be affectionate with it (but unobtrusively). If you have to leave the house for a long time, then lay a rag in the hallway on which the animal could relieve itself in your absence. Remove all carpets from the floor, as the dog may not use the "toilet" offered to it. And do not scold her for these offenses: a dog with cystitis is unable to control its bladder. You also need to ensure that the dog always has clean and fresh water to drink. By the way, you can also offer her a decoction of bearberry leaves (helps with cystitis). Put your dog on a special diet: vegetables, dairy products. And be sure to follow all the instructions of the veterinarian. Timely and correct treatment guarantees a favorable prognosis: cystitis in dogs is curable. The main thing is not to delay a visit to the doctor at the first suspicion of the disease. By the way, for prevention purposes, you can give your dog cranberry juice, which prevents the formation of stones in the bladder and has antibacterial properties. Be healthy! We recommend reading:
