Urethritis in Dogs

Urethritis in dogs is a painful condition in which the urethra becomes inflamed and swollen. As a result of the swelling around the urethra, narrowing within the urethra can occur, which may cause strained and often painful urination. 

The urethra is the opening, or tube, in which urine is expelled from the body. The bladder sphincter muscle has the responsibility of keeping the dog’s bladder closed, and this is located at the top of the urethra.  The urethra is connected to the bladder, and in male dogs, this tube is located within the penis. The urethra of female dogs is shorter and slightly wider, therefore, female dogs do not suffer from urethritis as often as males.

Urethritis makes urination painful and difficult by making the dog feel as if he needs to urinate often. When the dog tries to urinate, only a little comes out at a time. This inflammation can become severe, and life-threatening, if the urethra becomes blocked.

Urethritis in dogs is inflammation within the urethra caused by an infection, cancer, or injury. It is characterized by swelling of the urethra in the obstruction of urine flow.

The main symptom of urethritis is the straining and pain when urinating. This is usually a classic sign of the condition, in the veterinarian should be seen as soon as possible. Other symptoms include:

• Blood in the urine
• Inability to urinate
• Genital discharge
• Pain in the abdomen
• Extreme lethargy
• Serious discomfort
• Pacing, as if trying to find a place to urinate

Types

Urethritis can be quite painful to dogs, and the symptoms can be similar to other types of conditions that affect the bladder, kidneys, and urethra. Similar types of disorders of the lower urinary tract include:

• Bladder infection
• Hormone dysfunction
• Cystitis
• Kidney infection
• Weak bladder
• Congenital abnormality
• Prostate disease

Urethra in dogs is caused by a variety of factors. Knowing the causes of urethritis can help prevent this inflammation from occurring. Causes of urethritis include:

• Bacterial infection (prostate, vagina, or bladder)
• Stones within the bladder
• Injury or blunt trauma
• Chronic granulomatosis
• Carcinomas
• Urinary catheter usage

If your dog is showing symptoms of urethritis or any type of bladder discomfort, call your veterinarian immediately. Once you arrive at the veterinarian’s office he will begin to do a complete physical examination, first by palpating the bladder area with his fingers in order to check for swelling. The veterinarian will perform blood testing, urine testing, and possible imaging in order to check for stones that may cause obstruction.

He will ask you questions pertaining to his symptoms, as he will need to know when his symptoms began and how long they have lasted. He will also need to know if your dog has been in an accident, such as a fall or if he has gotten injured within the area.

Your veterinarian may also want to perform a biopsy of the tissue of the urethra, but this may occur after the diagnosis of urethritis. This may also occur if the x-rays do not pinpoint any bladder stones that could be causing the struggle to urinate.

A cystoscopy may also be performed, which is a tiny viewing device that can be inserted into the urethra with your dog under general anesthesia. This will also aid the veterinarian in viewing the inside of the urethra and give him more information as to the underlying cause.

The blood testing and the urine testing will often be enough information for the veterinarian to know precisely what is causing the urethritis, whether it is an infection or stones. If blood testing shows any signs of a more serious health issue, such as possible cancer, your veterinarian will proceed with a definitive biopsy and suggestions for treatment methods.

Treatment of urethritis is dependent upon the underlying condition. Once your veterinarian has diagnosed the condition, as well as what has caused the inflammation, he will explain to you the treatment plan. Treatment methods may include:

Removal of Obstruction

If your dog is suffering from stones in the bladder, a tumor, or other obstruction, your veterinarian may need to perform a surgical procedure to remove the blockage. This may require a hospital stay for a few days to a week, depending on the complexities of the surgery and how long it takes for him to begin to recover.

Antibiotics

If your dog’s condition is due to a bacterial infection, your medical professional will prescribe antibiotics to fight and get rid of the infection. It may take a few days before they begin to work against the infection; your veterinarian will give you advice on how to care for your dog if he is sent home to take the medication.

Chemotherapy

If your dog has cancer then your veterinarian will discuss with you the options for cancer treatment, namely chemotherapy and radiation. This treatment may begin after any surgery is performed to remove the tumor, if possible.

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

If your companion’s urethritis is caused by chronic granulomatous urethritis, then he will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. These medications help relieve any of the symptoms associated with this condition, such as inflammation and swelling.

Once your dog is able to come home from treatment, any treatment given by the veterinarian in terms of medication will continue. Your veterinarian will give you advice on how to properly care for him in his familiar environment, and will alert you to any side effects that the medication may cause, and discuss with you what to watch for in terms of new symptoms or behaviors. It will be important to contact your veterinarian if he develops any alarming symptoms.

Your veterinarian will want to see him again for follow-up visits to be sure he is becoming well again. He may need to perform additional blood work and urinalysis to check for the status of the infection, if that is what caused the urethritis.

Typically, dogs recover from urethritis once treatment has been successful. In terms of a cancer diagnosis, the prognosis is guarded depending on the level of cancer your dog may have. Your veterinarian will discuss with you the success rate of his cancer and communicate with you any new treatment options that are available.