Bulldog Cystitis and Bulldog UTI

Bulldog Cystitis and Bulldog UTI  (Bulldog Urinary Tract Infection), cystitis is an inflammatory condition of the bladder while UTI is an infectious condition. Often cystitis exists or provoked by a UTI. Both bulldog cystitis and bulldog UTI can be caused by multiple conditions.

Bladder Cystitis, UTI and Bladder Stones in Bulldogs Removed by Dr. Kraemer

Bulldog cystitis is usually due to an infectious origin (a UTI), and rarely a sterile one 

Bulldog Cystitis and Bulldog UTI  (Bulldog Urinary Tract Infection) ANATOMY & FUNCTION

Your bulldog and French bulldog their blood and make urine, the urine then is moved down the ureters and into the bladder. The urinary bladder stores the urine the bladder can stretch to accommodate the flow of urine and then voluntarily empty it.

A bulldog UTI can present in the entire urinary tract including the kidneys (bulldog pyelonephritis) while cystitis relates to the bladder.

There are multiple conditions and diseases that can lead to cystitis and UTI in bulldogs and French bulldog, the most common are:

1. Hooded valva and vaginal skin fold dermatitis in female bulldogs
2. Prostatitis and another prostatic disease in male bulldogs
3. Bulldog bladder stones (cystine calculi, urate calculi, struvites calculi)
4. Bladder Tumors or Polyps
5. Excessive use of steroids (cortisone) due to their immune suppression 
6. Hormonal diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroid, and Cushing’s syndrome (hyper adrenal)

Bulldog Cystitis and Bulldog UTI (urinary tract infection) DIAGNOSTIC TEST:

1. Urine analysis (urine ph, WBC, RBC, crystals, etc)
2.  Blood test (kidney function, sugar, blood count, etc)
3. Radiographs (stones)
4. Ultrasound (structural abnormalities, stones)

Generally, I recommend a urinalysis, as well as a urine culture. Radiographs and/or ultrasound are also very helpful in detecting urinary stones and other structural abnormalities.

V4B Bulldog Cystitis and Bulldog UTI  (urinary tract infection) RULE OF THUMB: 

Identifying the signs of cystitis or bulldog UTI is relatively simple. Bulldogs suffering from this infection will often present with:

1. PAIN & DISCOMFORT: Bulldog cystitis can exhibit various degrees of pain and discomfort, often while urinating.
2. HEMATURIA (blood in urine): Your French or English bulldog puppy may present with discolored red urine due to injury of the kidney, bladder wall, or urethra.
3. DISCOLORED & SMELLY URINE: Your bulldog might present with urine that has a strange odor or cloudy appearance.
4. STRAINING & FREQUENT SQUATTING: Your bulldog may be squatting and straining while attempting to urinate, failing to produce more than a small amount of urine, or showing an increased frequency in their urge to urinate.
5. INCONTINET: Your bulldog might be incontinent (accident around the house)

Struvite Bladder Stones in Bulldogs Removed By Dr. Kraemer

Keep your female English bulldog or French bulldog puppy’s vaginal folds dry and clean. I recommend using a wipe like Dr. Kraemer’s “V4B Bulldog Skin Fold Antiseptic Wipe” once or twice daily. The bacteria and yeast found in these folds can ascend into your bulldog puppy’s urinary tract and cause chronic recurrent UTI.

Bulldog Cystitis and Bulldog UTI (urinary tract infection) TREATMENT:

1. ANTIBIOTICS: ideally based on urine culture
2. PAIN CONTROL RX: NSAID and other analgesics
3. SUPPLEMENTS:
   • Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Urinary Support Forumla: help prevent biofilm (resistant bacteria)
   • Dr. Kraemer’s V4B  Bully AchLess & Comfort: helps to manage pain and discomfort
   • Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Fish Oil Chews: help to reduce inflammation
   • Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Immune Support: helps to boost the immune system

4. TOPICALS: Keep your female English bulldog or French bulldog puppy’s vaginal folds dry and clean. I recommend using a wipe like my “V4B Bulldog Skin Fold Antiseptic Wipes” once or twice daily. The bacteria and yeast found in these folds can ascend into your bulldog puppy’s urinary tract and cause chronic recurrent UTI.

V4B Bulldog Cystitis and Bulldog UTI (urinary tract infection) TIPS & WARNINGS:

Tip #1: THERAPY, For the most part, cystitis in bulldogs and French bulldogs is easily cured. Bacterial cystitis in bulldogs can be treated with antibiotics, while cystitis causing bladder stones can generally be resolved by adhering to a specialized custom diet, proper hydration, and supplements. Occasionally, your dog will need surgery to remove the bladder stones.

Tip #2 HYDRATION: It is also recommended to increase the amount of water your bulldog and French bulldog consume to help prevent crystallization and new stone formation. This can be achieved by providing your pet with extra drinking water, as well as moist food.

Tip #3  SUPPLEMENTS: Supplements containing polyphenols found in Cranberry, Marshmallow Root, Echinacea, Astragalus, Oregon Grape Root extracts have been shown to help reduce the adhesion of pathogenic resistant bacteria to the cell surface (biofilm).  Immune boosters, ache relief, and live probiotics, and digestive enzymes can also be helpful.

Urinary Urethral Stones in Male Bulldog Taken Out By Dr. Kraemer

Warning #1 TESTING & DIAGNOSIS: It is important to get your bulldog to a veterinarian as soon as possible for testing, as this condition can be quite painful for your pet, and it can lead to additional complications.

Warning #2: BLOCKAGE: Male Bulldogs have a long and narrow urethra, while female bulldogs have a short and wide urethra. Thus, bulldog males are at a much higher risk of a urinary urethral blockage, even small stone(s) can prevent urination. These cases are considered emergencies; the obstructing stones should be removed as soon as possible.

“An Ounce Of PREVENTION Is Worth A Pound Of CURE”