“Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.”
—Roger Caras, former President ASPCA

“A meow massages the heart.”
—Stuart McMillan

Bacterial infections

Definition

Bacteria are very small, living organisms made up of just one cell. Bacteria exist pretty much everywhere--the air, the soil on our skin and inside our bodies. Most of them are completely harmless and some of them are very useful. But some bacteria can cause diseases, either because they end up in the wrong place in the body, or simply because they are ‘designed’ to invade us. This can lead to infections and diseases.

Symptoms

Given the right set of circumstances, bacterial infections can cause havoc and problems with your dog or cat’s health. Infections are caused by a variety of conditions. Generally, an unhealthy pet will have greater difficulty in dealing with bacteria. Bacterial infections can include the bladder, prostate, vagina, kidney, or urinary tract. If your veterinarian suspects a bacterial infection, he or she may want to do further investigation to determine it’s origin. Most treatments for bacterial infection require a prescription from the veterinarian.

How using ThePetCheckup regularly can help

If you notice any changes in your pet’s normal habits, bring him/her to your veterinarian for a checkup. But in-between routine veterinary visits, using ThePetCheckup at home every month may help you to catch a bacterial infection when it is still small and easily treatable. As with any infection, prompt treatment is needed to keep the infection from getting any worse. If left untreated, bacterial infections can develop into more serious conditions.