Bladder irritation, infection, stones and crystals

Bladder problems irritate dogs and cats, but that’s nothing compared to what they do to pet guardians—pet guardians relinquish pets over bladder problems. In fact, bladder problems and inappropriate urination account for more abandoned cats than any other issue.

Bladder problems fall into 3 categories:

• irritation,
• infections, and
• stones.

Bladder irritation (sterile cystitis) is the most common problem bladder problem. Irritation causes pets to urinate frequently and in small amounts. When the urine is cultured, no bacteria are found, but the pet obviously has an irritated bladder. Both dogs and cats urinate where they normally wouldn’t and appear to have lost their housetraining habits. The treatment is to soothe the bladder. The treatment does not include antibiotics. Spayed animals are most inclined to bladder irritation and many are helped with estrogens, such as found in yams and tofu or medications.

Bladder infections are very common in females. Often bladder infections occur in pets with diarrhea because the bacteria from the stool travel in the liquid feces into the urethra. The urethra is the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside of the body. Female dogs with anal sac inflammation also develop bladder infections because they scoot on their bottoms and grind bacteria into the perineal area and it travels to the urethra. The treatment for a bladder infection are antiseptic herbs, such as uva ursi, soothing herbs such as marshmallow, or antibiotics.

Bladder stones and crystals are the most serious of bladder problems, but the least common. Stones and crystals can plug the urethra as it travels to the outside of the body so that pets cannot urinate. This is a life-threatening emergency because potassium in the urine contained in the bladder is reabsorbed and alters the heart rate. Blockages are so painful that pet guardians who cannot afford to treat pets should request euthanasia. Most veterinarians do not mind euthanizing animals with this degree of pain. Stones can also block the ureter, which travels from the kidney down to the bladder. This prevents urine from draining from the kidney and the kidney swells causing acute kidney failure. Blockage of a ureter is also excruciatingly painful. Humans report it is the most severe pain they have experienced.

Tomorrow the blog will cover prevention and treatment of bladder problems.