|
|
|
|
Cystitis Cystitis can be caused by allergies, trauma, calculi, bladder tumours, or even secondary to drug treatment (cyclophosphamide) or diabetes, but by far the major cause is bacterial infection. The infection ascends from the tip of the urethra and the best defence against this is 'washing out' the urethra by passing urine, hence those problems which interfere with flow and create static pooling of urine predispose to urinary tract infection. The most common organisms include E.coli, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, and Staphlococci. The clinical signs include blood in the urine, some degree of incontinence, increased frequency of urination, and pain may be elicited by bladder palpation. Often there is no fever and the dog is bright and alert. There may be some pain on urination. In order to confirm the diagnosis testing of urine should reveal a high protein content and bacteria. X-rays may show a thickened bladder wall but can also reveal any other conditions (bladder stones or tumours in the bladder wall). Treatment is with antibiotics, if the condition is recurrent then the bacteria should be tested for sensitivity to the drug. The antibiotic course should be maintained for up to 14 days. Suitable antibiotics include ampicillin, clavulanate potentiated amoxycillin, cephalexin, and tetracycline. Most antibiotics are effective at an acidic urine pH (ideally pH 5.5) so urinary acidifiers such as ammonium chloride or vitamin C may be of use. If the infection has spread to cause a prostate or kidney infection then longer courses of antibiotics may be needed. |
|