Cystitis in Dogs: Symptoms and Care

There are lots of things that can cause cystitis in dogs. The most common are:

• Bacterial infections. These can happen to any dog, but some are more prone to infection than others, including:

  • Female dogs, due to their shorter, wider urethras.

  • Puppies, due to an underdeveloped immune system.

  • Dogs with anatomical abnormalities around the genitalia.

  • Dogs that are immunosuppressed due to disease, such as Cushing’s, or medications.

  • Dogs with underlying diseases that alter the urine. Prime examples would be diabetes, where the sugar in the urine provides an ideal environment for bacteria, and any disease such as kidney disease that dilutes the urine, makes it easier for bacteria to take hold.

• Bladder stones or crystals. There are several types of crystals that tend to form in dog urine, and these can then clump together and form stones, sometimes in the kidneys as well as the bladder. The physical presence of crystals and stones inflames the bladder and causes cystitis.

  • Struvite stones are by far the most common and virtually always go hand in hand with bacterial infections in dogs. This will sometimes occur secondarily to another type of crystal or stone.

  • Calcium oxalate. These are more common in small breeds such as terriers and cocker spaniels and will also form in dogs with hypercalcaemia, some diseases or certain types of tumours.

  • Urate. These are very common in Dalmatians because they have a genetic problem that alters how they metabolise proteins. Urate stones are also seen in dogs with liver disease.

  • Cystine. These are virtually all breed-related and the majority are seen in entire male dogs. Bulldogs, bull terriers, Labradors and Newfoundlands are predisposed, among others.

• Tumours and polyps in the urinary tract.

• Idiopathic cystitis. This is a rare form of cystitis in dogs where there is no apparent cause and no infection.

Virtually all causes of bladder issues will present with the same signs, the most common being:

1. Frequent urination. When the bladder is inflamed, as some of you may have experienced yourself, it makes you feel like you need to go to the toilet all the time. You may notice your dog trying to go, but only a few drops pass at a time because the bladder is empty.
   

2. Straining to urinate. This could be for the reasons above but is also an important sign of a blocked bladder, which should be viewed as an emergency.
   

3. Blood in urine
   

4. Accidents in the house
   

5. Excessive licking of the genital area
   

6. Pain or vocalising, especially when trying to urinate
   

7. Lethargy or loss of appetite

Although most simple causes of cystitis in dogs are easily treated, any bladder issues have potentially serious consequences. Bacterial infections can travel from the bladder to the kidneys. Stones may block the outflow of urine and cause potentially fatal bladder rupture or kidney damage. With this in mind, if you see any of the above signs, you should seek veterinary advice as quickly as possible.

Your vet will want to do a number of tests to determine the underlying cause of your dog’s cystitis because the treatment will vary from case to case. These may involve some or all of the following.

Clinical examination

It’s important that your dog has a full clinical examination, including bladder palpation. Your vet will take a thorough history from you.

Urine tests (urinalysis & culture)

These are absolutely essential in cases of cystitis. Some veterinarians may want you to bring a fresh urine sample in with you for the appointment. Always check how they want to collect the sample, but many times, a clean glass or plastic container works well.

The urine will be examined for:

• Signs of infection, such as presence of bacteria and white blood cells responding to the UTI

• Presence of red and white blood cells

• Presence of crystals, and if present, what type

• Presence of other things like casts that may indicate issues elsewhere

• Culture and sensitivity. The sample will go to a laboratory where they will see if any bacteria grow from it and what kind of bacteria they are. The bacteria will be tested with various antibiotics to see which one will be most effective for treatment.

Imaging tests

If your vet is suspicious of bladder stones, tumours or anatomical problems, they may want to do radiographs (x-rays), an ultrasound or other types of imaging.

Additional tests

Blood tests might be recommended to rule out underlying disease that may be contributing.

As mentioned, treatment will depend on the cause and the severity of the problem. The most common modalities include:

Medication

Most often, your vet may use one or more of the following:

1. Antibiotics. Your vet may start these straightaway or may wait for the culture and sensitivity results. They may also change the antibiotics once the results come back.

2. Pain relief. This is important to help your dog feel comfortable again, as cystitis is usually a very uncomfortable condition.

3. Anti-inflammatories. These will help your dog to start urinating more normally again, in many cases very quickly.

Nutrition and hydration

It’s important to keep your dog hydrated. Whether your dog is dealing with an infection or bladder crystals, you want urine flushing the system as much as possible. Provide several fresh water bowls around the house to encourage drinking. You can also add water to your dog’s food by feeding them tinned food or soaking their kibble.

Your vet may also recommend a special diet in the case of crystals or stones to reduce the rate at which they’re produced, and in some cases, actively dissolve them. Never start one of these foods without the say-so of your vet, as some of them are not suitable for all dogs.

Surgery

In some cases, such as with stones that can’t be dissolved or tumours and polyps, your vet may need to operate to remove them.

Monitoring and follow-up

It’s very important that you stay in close contact with your vet until you are both 100% sure that the issue is resolved. Many cases are fully resolved with a short course of treatment, but some dogs, especially those with crystals and/or stones or a condition making the dog prone to urinary issues, need close long-term monitoring, including regular urine tests and sometimes imaging.

Most cases of cystitis in dogs are easily treated and should clear up quickly. However, all bladder issues can have serious consequences. Bacterial infections can get into the kidneys, and stones may block the urethra, which can be life-threatening.

Early diagnosis and treatment is absolutely essential. If you see any of the signs mentioned above, seek immediate veterinary advice.

As the old adage goes, ‘How long is a piece of string?’ How long your dog takes to recover will depend on the cause of the cystitis, the treatment needed and the severity of the problem.

An acute, uncomplicated UTI will usually be cleared by 3-7 days of antibiotics. Some deeper-seated bladder infections may need longer. For more chronic problems, such as if you’re trying to dissolve a large stone, it may take weeks to months.

Your vet will be able to guide you best as to what to expect for your individual dog’s case.

While you can’t be certain your dog will never get cystitis, there are some things that will help lower the risk.

1. Always have plenty of fresh water available

2. Give your dog lots of opportunities to urinate. This prevents urine from sitting in the bladder for long periods where it could start to irritate the lining or allow crystals and stones to develop.

3. Good nutrition and weight management. Keeping your dog fit and slim helps their health in a multitude of ways. Balanced nutrition is also important. 

4. Regular vet checks. As always, the earlier you find a problem, the easier it is to treat and the better the likely prognosis.

If your dog has a chronic problem, by being fastidious with the above advice, you should be able to stay right on top of it. The long-term cases that do best are the ones with the owners who follow advice the best, and with it! Don’t lose touch with your vet, as regular checks, especially urine samples, are really essential. This might mean an appointment every few weeks to start with before spacing out to more distant intervals. Be guided by your vet team, and never be afraid to ask questions or seek help. That’s why they’re there, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Cystitis in dogs is a fairly common problem and is usually easily diagnosed and treated. There are several different causes, and management and recovery time will depend on the original problem, bearing in mind there is sometimes more than one thing happening at once.

By keeping your dog active and slim, hydrated and well-nourished, you will lower the risk of issues and hopefully side-step the issue for life. Remember, if you do see any signs of urinary problems, see your vet straightaway and follow their advice to the letter for the speediest outcome possible.

What is cystitis in dogs?

The term cystitis simply means an inflamed (and usually painful) bladder. It may be due to an infection (UTI) but may also be due to other things like a bladder stone.

Is cystitis in dogs contagious?

No, cystitis is not contagious for other animals or humans.

Can cystitis go away on its own?

No. Cystitis always has an underlying issue that is causing damage to the bladder and should always be investigated as soon as possible.

What are the first signs of cystitis in dogs?

Most common signs of cystitis in dogs are

• Increased frequency of urination

• Blood in the urine

• Straining to urinate and passing little or no urine

• Pain or vocalising on urination

• Accidents in the house

Can cystitis come back in dogs?

Yes it can. Most simple UTIs are a one-off, but in cases of dogs with underlying issues such as diabetes or bladder stones, they can easily recur and need to be monitored long-term with regular veterinary checks.

Reviewed by Becky Mullis, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition).