Cystitis in Dogs

Overview:

Cystitis is defined as inflammation of the bladder. It may precede or be secondary to urolithiasis (stones in the urinary tract).

There are several possible causes including;

• Idiopathic (no known cause)

• Bacterial infection

• Urinary crystals & stones

• Tumours & polyps

Due to their anatomy, cystitis is more commonly seen in female dogs.

What are the symptoms of cystitis?

• Straining to urinate, only letting out a few drops (if any) at a time. This can sometimes lead the owner to believe that the dog is constipated. 

• Hematuria (blood in urine).

• Increased thirst.

• Increased frequency of urination. 

• Excessive genital licking, way beyond normal self cleaning. 

• Crying while the  dog is attempting to urinate with little or no urine is passed. 

It is extremely important to note that difficulty urinating is a medical emergency & you should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Failure to act quickly can result in death. 

How is cystitis diagnosed?

Your veterinarian will be able to give a tentative diagnosis based on physical examination & signs, such as straining to go to the toilet, licking genitals. He will feel the bladder through the abdomen, the bladder may feel large, full & distended or it may feel small & thickened. 

He may also investigate further by performing an urinalysis, blood work, ultrasound or x-ray.  

How is cystitis treated?

Treatment depends on the cause & severity of the condition. Finding & treating the underlying cause.

As stone build up is caused by urine which is too  concentrated  (and alkaline) it is important to try & get more fluids into your dog, to reduce the concentration of the urine.

• Antibiotics: This form of treatment is used for mild cases of cystitis. The decision to prescribe antibiotics to a dog who is affected by cystitis depends upon the severity of the case. Most cases of cystitis resolve themselves within 5 days. However, since cystitis has been known to cause severe pain & damage in many dogs, it is better to be safe than sorry. Antibiotics can help in some cases. 

• Medications: Amitriptyline, which is an antidepressant and Analgesia (pain killers) are two examples of medications which may help a dog with cystitis. 

How is canine cystitis treated a the vet?

• Urine: If your dog is completely blocked then your veterinarian may extract urine by placing a syringe through the abdomen & directly into the bladder & draw our the urine. This is a fast & effective way of emptying out the bladder in an emergency situation. Alternatively he may choose to catheterise the dog immediately. See below for info on catheterisation. 

• Fluid Therapy: This form of therapy is often used before catheterisation is attempted. It involves the feeding of fluids to the dog in order to continue to flush out the dog's urinary system (particularly the bladder).

• Surgery: To remove polyps or tumours.

Please note:

The medical articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes only & should not be used for  the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 

Always seek immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or behavioral) in your pets. 

While great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.