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

“A meow massages the heart.”
—Stuart McMillan

Urinary Tract Infections

Definition

Urinary Tract Infections, or UTIs, are caused by bacteria in the bladder or urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body). UTIs are uncomfortable and can make urinating a painful ordeal. It is simple to test for by a veterinarian and to treat in the early stages, however, UTIs left untreated for a long time can be life threatening.

Symptoms

• Frequent urination
• Straining or difficulty urinating
• Blood in the urine
• Foul smelling urine
• Urination in inappropriate places
• Tender lower abdomen (in the area of the bladder)
• Fever
• Lethargy

How using ThePetCheckup regularly can help

UTIs can usually be treated very effectively with antibiotics. If left untreated, they can get worse, sometimes very quickly. The infection can ascend into the kidneys, prostate, lining of the heart and other organs.

Urethral obstruction—when the cat’s urethra becomes partly or totally blocked—is one of the most serious results of disease of the feline lower urinary tract. Male cats are at greater risk for obstruction than females because their urethra is longer and narrower. Complete urethral obstruction or blockage is life threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention.

Detecting UTIs in an early stage using ThePetCheckup monthly will prevent your dog or cat from experiencing pain, accidents in the home and the possibility of developing into a more serious illness.

Used in addition to routine veterinary care, ThePetCheckup is an at-home, early detection urinalysis health screen. It is very easy to do and may help you detect a potential serious imbalance in your dog or cat at a very early stage—when treatment is most effective. The same urinalysis test materials that are commonly used in veterinary clinics are now specially packaged for you so that you can use them at home (we recommend monthly) and provide a whole new level of preventative care for your dogs and cats.