Bladder Problems Found in Aging & old Dogs.

Dog bladder problems or canine UTI can occur at any age and for many reasons, but seem to be more common in aging & older dogs.  Many changes do occur in dogs that age. If your senior dog begins to soil the house or show signs of changing housebreaking habits, including a change in his or her need to urinate or eliminate, please take your pet to the vet for consultation. Your veterinarian will most certainly help you to assess whether the bladder problems (UTI) are simply part of the normal aging process or whether there may be a medical condition that needs your attention.

Some of the causes of incontinence can be cured; some just have to be managed. In older dogs, kidney failure and urinary tract infections (UTI) are the main reasons for incontinence. If your dog begins to drink and urinate more frequently, a veterinary exam should reveal the reason. If kidney failure is the cause, a low-protein diet may help slow the kidney’s degeneration. Your veterinarian also will have other ecommendations specific to your dog’s needs.

Here is a typical question found on a pet care blog:

Q:  My pet dog has a urinary tract infection (UTI) with some spot bleeding.  How can i cure the urinary tract infection without taking her to the vet?

A:  You can’t. UTI’s are not self limiting and require appropriate vet treatment & medications. It is not like a virus that runs its course and goes away. UTI’s can kill animals quickly and must be treated properly. A friend’s cat died recently from a UTI before she barely even noticed the animals symptoms.  l happened in the same day and like you, noticed a bit of blood. Please get your animal to a vet quickly so it can start appropriate meds and receive treatment for blockage if needed. These infections can kill pets quickly, get him to the vet. They can test his urine easily & tell you what is going on. Good luck.