Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention and Treatment of Cystitis in Dogs

[Causes]

First, infection by pathogenic microorganisms. Such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Proteus, etc.

Second, spread of inflammation from adjacent organs. Such as nephritis, ureteritis, prostatitis, urethritis, especially in female dogs with vaginitis or endometritis, the inflammation very easily spreads to the bladder and causes cystitis.

Third, mechanical injury. Such as catheter injury, bladder stones, etc. can all stimulate the mucosa and cause inflammation.

[Key Points of Diagnosis]

The typical symptoms are painful and frequent urination. The sick dog urinates frequently, or assumes a urination posture, but each time only a small amount of urine is passed or urine is continually passed in drops (strangury), and it shows pain and restlessness. In severe cases, due to swelling of the bladder neck mucosa or spasmodic contraction of the bladder sphincter, urine retention can be caused, and the sick dog is painful and restless and groans. On microscopic examination of urine sediment, large numbers of leukocytes, pus cells, erythrocytes, bladder epithelial cells, and fragments are seen. The urine is turbid and occasionally contains mucus flakes, pus flakes, and blood clots.

The symptoms of chronic cystitis are similar to those of the acute form, but the degree is milder and the course is longer.

A diagnosis can be made based on the medical history, causes, clinical symptoms, and urine sediment examination.

[Prevention and Treatment Measures]

First, improve feeding and management, provide appropriate rest, and feed a non-irritating, nutritious, and easily digestible diet. High-protein feed should be appropriately restricted.

Second, flush the bladder with disinfectant or astringent drugs. First use a catheter to drain the accumulated urine in the bladder, repeatedly flush with lukewarm saline, and then flush with medicinal solution. For disinfection, 0.05% potassium permanganate solution, 0.02% furazolidone solution, or 0.1% rivanol solution can be used. For astringency, the following can be used: 1-3% boric acid solution, 0.5% tannic acid solution, 1-2% alum solution, etc. In severe cystitis, after flushing the bladder, infuse 800,000-1,200,000 units of penicillin (dissolved in 50-100 milliliters of distilled water) into the bladder, and apply penicillin, streptomycin, or other antibiotics systemically.

Third, urinary tract disinfectants may be appropriately used, such as sulfadiazine, with a dosage of 4.4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per time, taken orally twice a day.

Fourth, pay attention to preventing invasion and infection by microorganisms. When performing catheterization, disinfection and aseptic requirements should be observed. Other urinary organ diseases should be treated promptly to prevent spread.