Do dogs get cystitis?

Yes they do!

As humans, many of us will have experienced cystitis of the urinary bladder (often referred to as a ‘water infection’) and this can be very obvious in our dogs, thanks the messes we have to deal with! There are many different causes of cystitis, and other bladder issues to be aware of that can mimic the signs. The good news is that most are readily treatable if caught in time.

What is cystitis?

The bladder is a storage organ for urine. It receives urine made by the kidneys down tubes called ureters and keeps it there until stretch receptors tell the brain it’s time to let it go. The bladder is protected by a mucus layer to stop the alkaline urine irritating the bladder lining. At the neck of the bladder is the urethra, which passes the urine to the outside world. The urethra in females is shorter and wider than in males, as the male urethra goes round a curve to reach the end of the penis. The male system also involves other glands such as the prostate.

Cystitis means ‘inflammation of the bladder’, and this inflammation can be caused by different things.

What are the symptoms?

Cystitis can look like:

Straining to pass urine

Passing urine more often than usual

Passing small amounts of urine

Seeming uncomfortable when passing urine

Blood in the urine, from a pink tinge to obvious clots

Licking at the penis or vulva

Suddenly sitting down and looking uncomfortable

Changes in drinking habits

Urinary accidents in the house

Passing urine in strange places

If your dog cannot pass urine at all, this is an emergency and you need to contact your vet straight away.

Types of cystitis

Your vet will consider cystitis based on what is causing the inflammation.

Bacterial cystitis

The commonest type in dogs and happens when bacteria get into the bladder and start to grow. This is typically caused by bugs travelling up the urethra from the outside world, and can be seen if the bottom area is dirty (due to issues squatting, long coats, episodes of diarrhoea and other causes). You will likely see the classic signs listed above. If it’s a one-off episode, your dog will usually be given antibiotics and potentially painkillers after diagnosis is confirmed. If this keep happening, further tests to find an underlying cause will be needed, as certain conditions (such as diabetes) can make it easier for bacteria to grow.

Urolithiasis

This is the technical term for bladder stones. If the urine becomes has more minerals in it than usual, crystals can form that are irritating to the bladder lining. Over time, these crystals can stick together to form bladder stones. Some stones can get very large before they are discovered, others form millions of little stones that behave like gravel and increase the risk of bladder blockage.

There are many different types of crystals and stones. The most common types are:

Struvite

These form in the presence of bacterial infection and the alkaline urine that produces. These can sometimes be treated with a special diet that makes the urine more acidic and dissolves the stones.

Calcium oxalate

These form due to an issue with how your dog uses calcium in their body. This is seen more commonly in toy breeds such as Lhasa Apsos, Miniature Schnauzers and Bichon Frise. These stones cannot be dissolved and always need surgery to be removed.

Other types of crystals and stones are typically associated with liver disease or genetic issues in specific breeds of dog.

Polypoid cystitis

This occurs where the bladder lining produces non-cancerous growth (polyps) that take up space and cause cystitis by impacting on bladder function.

What other conditions can look like cystitis?

It is important to know that not all urinary issues are cystitis and may need other treatment.

Over-production of urine can be caused by many things, in particular kidney disease, diabetes and hormonal issues such as Cushing’s disease. Checking the concentration of the urine will help your vet easily tell if this is the case.

Cancers of the bladder and urinary system can be seen in dogs. These can be effectively managed with anti-inflammatory drugs in some cases.

Incontinence is when your dog cannot hold urine in the bladder until they decide to let go of it. This may be a normal age related change, but is seen in some bitches after the drop in oestrogen following neutering. Checking to see when the accidents are happening and if your dog is aware of them will help your vet work out the reasons, and the best treatment.

Sometimes the plumbing of the urinary system fails to form properly in the womb, and puppies are born with an ectopic ureter. In these dogs, urine bypasses the bladder and goes straight to the urethra. If toilet training just isn’t working for your puppy, this may be worth checking for.

Sometimes urinary issues are not physical at all, and are related to behavioural problems. Once your vet has been able to rule out the medical causes, a behavioural cause can be looked for and training started.

How does my vet diagnose cystitis?

If you take your dog to the vet for a concern about their urine or bladder, take a urine sample with you! Your vet can easily (and inexpensively) test the concentration and do a ‘dipstick’ for glucose, blood and protein, which rules many things in or out straight away. This sample can also be looked at under a microscope for bacteria or crystals.

There’s no magic way to get a urine sample other than catching some as your pet produces it! Try catching the first one of the morning (when they’re bursting to go), or take them on a lead to a place to you know they often like to wee. Collect it in a clean container that has been through a hot wash after any food was in it!

Your vet may advise further work-up such as blood tests (especially for kidney function), bacterial culture of the urine, or imaging such as x-rays or an ultrasound scan. This may need to be done straight away, or at a later date if your dog keeps having episodes.

How will my vet treat cystitis?

Broad spectrum antibiotics are the main treatment for bacterial cystitis. It’s really important to follow the instructions carefully and complete the full course, even though your pet is likely to feel better after only one or two doses. Your vet will likely ask for a repeat urine sample before the course finishes to ensure it is safe to stop, as if any bacteria are still present this can lead to future resistance.

Crystals or stones may be manageable with antibiotics and special urinary diets alone. If a diet is recommended it’s important to feed this and nothing else, as any extra food will change the urine pH and stop it working. Some diets are for short term use only, others will need to be lifelong, so check with your vet.

If stones are present that cannot be dissolved, or would take too long to dissolve, surgery will be recommended to remove these before starting any diets. Whilst this is an open abdominal surgery, most pets cope with this really well and recovery times are short.

Blocked bladders – a real emergency

Sometimes a stone or piece of inflamed bladder lining can get stuck in the exit of the bladder or in the urethra, stopping urine coming out entirely. This is very painful for your dog as the bladder still gets bigger and bigger, and can cause dangerously high levels of potassium in the blood. This is more common in male dogs as the urethra is narrower, longer, and goes around a bend.

If you are worried about this AT ALL contact your vet or their out of hours provider. Emergency treatment is needed to relieve the pressure on the bladder and take action to address the underlying cause which will be fatal left more than a day.

Is there anything I can do at home?

Concerns about cystitis are best dealt with by your vet as soon as you can, as it is an uncomfortable condition for your dog to live with. Book an appointment and make sure you catch that urine sample!

At home, encouraging good fluid intake and easy access to the garden is the best way to prevent cystitis. Fresh water, changed daily, is essential. Consider a water fountain if your dog doesn’t like to drink much!

A good quality complete diet will help keep mineral balances right and promote overall health. There are many bladder supplements on the market which can support the protective bladder lining; ask your vet if they think your dog needs one.

Summary

Cystitis is a common presentation in dogs, and can be caused by many things. Other conditions can also mimic cystitis, so it’s always worth getting your vet to check your dog if you are worried.