If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection, you know they are no fun. They’re painful, annoying, and make it difficult to get through the day.
Unfortunately, your dog can also get a UTI that’s just as miserable.
However, bladder issues in dogs like UTIs vary greatly depending on age, species, and more. The biggest factor in UTIs is gender.
Like humans, female dogs are more susceptible to UTIs, and if not treated, can lead to more serious issues.
This is because a male dog’s urethra is longer. That means bacteria has a longer distance to travel to reach the bladder, making male dogs less susceptible. Lucky for them!
Female dogs, on the other hand, have a shorter urethra and the urethral opening is closer to the anus. This means fecal matter has a higher likelihood of accidentally entering the urethra and a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder.
If your female (or male) dog is showing symptoms of a UTI, such as frequent urination, discomfort while urinating, or blood in the urine, it's important to make a visit to the vet for a diagnosis and treatment.
Preventative measures such as keeping your dog’s genitals clean, feeding her a nutritious diet, and providing plenty of water can help reduce the risks of developing a UTI.
Other bladder issues male dogs can experience are urinary stones and bladder inflammation. Female dogs can also experience these problems as well as urinary incontinence. Incontinence is especially common in spayed dogs who are a few years old. If your female dog suddenly starts leaving trails of urine or pee puddles around the house, this could be why.
You can be a more proactive pet parent by familiarizing yourself with all the potential bladder problems your dog could face, recognizing the symptoms, and knowing how to help.
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