Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 9/26/2008

Question
Hi Charlotte,
Molly is a Jack Russell Terrier/Miniature Poodle mix, 15 lbs. and  almost 3 years old. Although house-broken, she recently has urinated on small rugs in the bathroom and den and we think this is during the night (she sleeps in our bedroom upstairs and these incidents have been downstairs). She does have access to the backyard 24/7 on her own. Yesterday she urinated while sitting in my wife's lap in the car! Could this be a urinary tract infection of some type? Is there something we can try before the expense of a visit to our vet?

Answer
Ray -

You should take your pet to the doctor as soon as you can.  The longer you wait, the sicker she may become and it will cost more to treat her.

I do not have a recommendations for treating the infection without actually diagnosing it as an infection; however, the best way to prevent bladder  infections ( or decrease the recurrence of bladder infections) is to feed premium diets instead of the cheaper diets.  The cheaper diets have  unnecessary junk that can cause bladder and skin problems.  Invest in a high quality diet that can help prevent some future health problems.


Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell,DVM