Infecções do trato urinário em cães e gatos
As ITUs são comuns em cães e gatos, especialmente fêmeas e animais de estimação idosos. Aprenda os sinais, tratamento e como prevenir infecções recorrentes.
As infecções do trato urinário (ITUs) são um dos motivos mais comuns pelos quais os animais de estimação visitam o veterinário. As bactérias entram no trato urinário e se multiplicam, causando inflamação e desconforto. Embora as ITUs sejam mais comuns em cadelas devido à uretra mais curta, elas podem afetar qualquer animal de estimação. Se não forem tratadas, as ITUs podem ascender aos rins e causar complicações graves. O reconhecimento precoce e o tratamento adequado resolvem rapidamente a maioria das ITUs.
Pontos-chave
- Female dogs are most susceptible due to their shorter urethra
- Classic signs: frequent urination, straining, blood in urine, and accidents in the house
- Cats with UTIs may urinate outside the litter box or show signs of pain
- Most UTIs are treated with a 7-14 day course of antibiotics
- Recurring UTIs (3+ per year) may indicate an underlying condition requiring investigation
- Cranberry supplements may help prevent recurrence in dogs (evidence limited in cats)
Symptoms in Dogs vs Cats
In dogs: frequent small urinations, straining to urinate, blood in urine, licking the genital area, accidents in house-trained dogs, and strong-smelling urine. In cats: urinating outside the litter box, straining in the litter box, frequent visits to the litter box, blood in urine, and vocalizing during urination. Cats are especially prone to confusing UTI symptoms with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), which has similar symptoms but a different cause.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis involves urinalysis (testing urine for bacteria, blood, crystals, and pH) and urine culture (growing bacteria to identify the specific type and which antibiotics will work). Most UTIs are treated with antibiotics for 7-14 days based on culture results. Always complete the full antibiotic course even if symptoms improve — stopping early promotes antibiotic resistance. Increased water intake helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract.
Recurring UTIs
If your pet has 3 or more UTIs in a year, further investigation is needed. Underlying causes may include: bladder stones (uroliths), anatomical abnormalities, diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease, or immune deficiency. Imaging (X-rays, ultrasound) and blood tests can identify contributing factors. In some cases, long-term low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis or dietary changes may be recommended.
Prevention Strategies
Encourage frequent urination by providing ample opportunities to go outside (dogs) or keeping litter boxes clean (cats). Ensure fresh water is always available — increased water intake dilutes bacteria. For dogs prone to UTIs, wipe the genital area after outdoor walks. Cranberry extract supplements may help prevent bacterial adhesion in the urinary tract (evidence is stronger in dogs than cats). Regular vet checkups can catch early infections before they become serious.
Quando consultar um veterinário imediatamente
- Your pet is urinating frequently but only passing small amounts
- You notice blood in your pet's urine
- Your pet is straining to urinate or seems to be in pain
- Your house-trained pet is having accidents indoors
- Your cat is urinating outside the litter box
- Your pet has had multiple UTIs in the past year
Como o RVC pode ajudar
O Royal Veterinary Center oferece cuidados urinários abrangentes, incluindo urinálise, cultura de urina e testes de sensibilidade, ultrassom da bexiga e tratamento para ITUs e cálculos na bexiga. Para infecções recorrentes, investigamos as causas subjacentes e criamos planos de prevenção a longo prazo. Nosso laboratório interno fornece resultados de urinálise no mesmo dia. Ligue para +853 6677 6611 se seu animal apresentar sintomas urinários.
Este artigo é apenas para fins educacionais e não substitui o aconselhamento veterinário profissional. Se o seu animal apresentar algum sintoma, entre em contato imediatamente com o Royal Veterinary Center pelo telefone +853 6677 6611.