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People often experience the searing pain of a urinary tract infection (UTI). But dog UTIs can happen, too. Just imagine how your dog feels without words to explain his discomfort.

Dog UTIs are common. They affect dogs of all ages and breeds. So if it happens to your dog, and it probably will, here’s what you need to know. Plus we’ll include how to prevent UTIs … and how to prevent a recurrence, which is just as common.

Understanding Dog UTIs

Understanding dog UTIs is crucial to preventing them. Dog owners need to understand the causes, symptoms and management of UTIs. Let’s start with some basic information.

Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria or other pathogens invade the urinary system. This leads to inflammation and discomfort. A UTI can affect any part of the urinary tract. This includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. About 14% of all dogs will get at least one UTI in their lifetime. 

The Urinary Tract In Dogs

The urinary tract in male dogs consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The urethra in males is longer and narrower compared to females. This makes them slightly more prone to certain urinary issues.

Female dogs have a similar urinary tract. However, the urethra in females is shorter and wider. This makes it easier for female dogs to develop a urinary tract infection.

Types Of Dog UTIs 

Dog UTIs can appear in several forms. It depends on the location and severity of the infection. You need to know what type. Then you can provide effective treatment and management. It also helps identify the underlying condition and underlying cause so you can prevent future infections.

Lower Dog UTIs

Lower urinary tract infections affect the bladder and urethra. Lower UTIs have symptoms like frequent urination, straining, and blood in the urine.

Upper Dog UTIs

Upper urinary tract infections involve the kidneys and ureters. Upper UTIs may exhibit more severe signs, including lethargy, fever, and vomiting.

Additionally, UTIs can be acute or chronic, depending on their duration and recurrence.

Acute Dog UTIs

Acute dog UTIs refer to sudden and often severe infections of the urinary tract. These infections can affect any part of the urinary system. It can affect the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Acute UTIs are common in dogs. They cause discomfort and health complications if left untreated. 

Here are some causes of acute UTIs in dogs:

• Bacterial Infection: The most common cause of acute dog UTIs bacteria. It enters the urinary tract and leads to an infection. Escherichia coli is the most common bacterial strain responsible for dog UTIs. There are also other bacteria that lead to infections.
• Anatomical Abnormalities: These include bladder stones, tumors, or congenital malformations. They can predispose dogs to acute UTIs as they can lead to bacterial growth.

• Weakened Immune System: Underlying health conditions, stress, or medications weaken the immune system. Your dog can be more susceptible to developing acute UTIs.

Chronic UTI In Dogs

Dogs with chronic UTIs have recurring bacterial infections in the urinary tract. Acute UTIs typically resolve with prompt treatment. However, chronic UTIs in dogs may require ongoing treatment. They can significantly impact a dog’s health and quality of life.

Here are some causes of chronic UTIs in dogs:

• Underlying Conditions: Dogs with health issues get infections easily. Problems like abnormalities in the urinary tract make it worse. Bladder stones, tumors, or strictures can lead to infections.
• Incomplete Treatment: Treatments may not fully clear UTIs. This leaves bacteria in the urinary tract, causing more infections.
• Weakened Immune System: Some dogs have weak immunity due to various reasons. These can be congenital conditions, autoimmune diseases, or aging.
• Urinary Tract Obstructions: These include urethral plugs or urinary stones. They create a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to reinfection.
• Poor Hygiene: This includes infrequent grooming and not cleaning the genital area enough. Bacteria enter the urinary tract and cause infections.

Dog UTI Symptoms 

Urinary tract disease can include kidney, ureters, urethra and bladder infection.

Typical symptoms of UTIs in dogs of either gender include:

• Frequent urination or urging.
• Bloody urine. Sometimes you may see a little blood at the very end. Other times there might be a blood clot. Sometimes it’s hardly noticeable. Get your dog to pee on a paper towel to see if there’s blood present.
• Licking before or after she urinates.
• Inappropriate urination or accidents in the house.
• General restlessness.
• Needing to go out during the night.
• Trying to pee again right after she’s peed. You may see her try a few times and appear to squat or strain a few different ways. This is due to difficult flow of urine. 
• Signs of painful urination. 

When untreated, UTIs can lead to bigger problems, including kidney stones, dysfunction, infertility, kidney infection, and even kidney failure.

What Causes Dog UTIs?

There are several causes of dog UTIs. Some link to underlying conditions. Here are some common causes:

• Bacterial infections
• Urinary tract abnormalities
• Bladder stones or crystals
• Weakened immune system
• Poor hygiene
• Diabetes mellitus
• Obesity
• Prostate disease (in males)
• Hormonal imbalances
• Certain medications

Bacterial infections lead to most dog UTIs. Here are common bacterial strains that cause dog UTIs:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli): E. coli causes up to 50% of dog UTIs. E. coli is normal in the gastrointestinal tract. It leads to infections if it enters the urinary tract.
• Staphylococcus spp are often found on the skin and mucous membranes of dogs. Staphylococcus saprophyticus is common in UTIs in humans. But various species cause infections in dogs.
• Proteus spp: You’ll find proteus bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and soil. They can ener the urinary tract and cause infections. This happens in dogs with underlying urinary tract abnormalities. Dogs on long-term antibiotics are also at risk.
• Enterococcus spp: Enterococcus bacteria is an opportunistic pathogens. It causes dog UTIs with weak immune systems. Or, in dogs with urinary tract problems.
• Klebsiella spp: Klebsiella bacteria are in the environment. They can cause UTIs when there’s a urinary tract obstruction or catheterization.
• Pseudomonas spp: Pseudomonas bacteria are more common in complicated UTIs. Or you’ll see infections in hospital settings.
• Enterobacter spp: Enterobacter bacteria are opportunistic pathogens. They cause dog UTIs with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems.
• Citrobacter spp: Citrobacter bacteria aren’t as common in UTIs as other bacteria. They still infect dogs, especially those with certain health issues.

Knowing the type of bacteria that causes the UTI is crucial if you’re treating it with veterinary medicine. This will be discussed a bit later.

Diagnosis Of Dog UTIs

UTIs have similar symptoms to other diseases. If you’re uncertain your dog has a UTI, you’ll wat to get a diagnosis. Early diagnosis confirms it’s not a serious health concern. And it eliminates a UTI from becoming more serious.

Diagnosing chronic or acute dog UTIs is essentially the same. It involves a combination of urinalysis, urine culture, and imaging studies. Vets can do an ultrasound or X-rays to identify underlying causes. They can include bladder stones or anatomical abnormalities. 

When To Go To The Vet

Prompt treatment can address most dog UTIs at the first sign. However, some cases can escalate into serious health concerns if left untreated. It may lead to complications. These include kidney damage, bladder inflammation, and systemic tract infection in dogs.

Here are signs that a UTI may be serious:

• Persistent or worsening symptoms
• Presence of fever
• Lethargy or weakness
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Severe abdominal pain
• Difficulty urinating or complete blockage
• Blood in the urine

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s wise to see a holistic vet about your dog’s urinary tract problems. Your vet will likely request a urine sample and ask about your dog’s symptoms.

How To Treat A Dog UTI At Home

Once you’ve confirmed your dog has a UTI, there are some home remedies that help. Mild UTIs may resolve on their own with simple measures like increasing water intake. You’ll want to look at:

Home Remedies For UTI In Dogs

• Provide lots of clean water or broth to encourage your dog to drink. It helps flush out bacteria.
• Feed a fresh, whole food diet.
• Use cranberry supplements. This prevents bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract.
• Use D-Mannose supplements to prevent bacteria from attaching to the bladder walls.
• Give probiotics to support gut bacteria balance. This aids urinary tract health by boosting the immune system.
• Give herbs like uva ursi, marshmallow root, and dandelion. They have antibacterial properties.
• Practice good hygiene by keeping your dog’s genital area clean and dry.
• Give your dog regular potty breaks to prevent your dog from holding urine in his/her bladder.
• Watch your dog for any worsening or persistent UTI symptoms.

Veterinary Treatment For UTIs In Dogs

Conventional treatment for dog UTIs usually involves prescribing antibiotics. A short course of antibiotics is given for an acute UTI. Treatment for a chronic UTI usually involves a prolonged course of antibiotics. The specific bacterial strain causing a UTI in a dog can vary. It depends on several factors. They include your dog’s age, health, environment, and recent antibiotic use. If you wish to give antibiotics, your vet needs to do a proper diagnosis. That involves a urinalysis and a urine culture. This will identify the bacteria. Then she can determine the most effective treatment. 

You’ll need to address underlying conditions that lead to a chronic UTI. In some cases, you might need surgery. This would address abnormalities or urinary tract obstructions.

It’s beneficial for dogs with acute or chronic UTIs to have supportive care. This includes pain management and fluid therapy to ease symptoms and promote recovery.

Antibiotics For UTIs Caused By E. Coli

Almost 50% of UTI cases are caused by E. coli. Giving antibiotics is the veterinary method to treat it. It also includes supportive care, and addressing underlying factors. 

These are the common antibiotics given:

• Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid
• Enrofloxacin
• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)
• Cephalexin
• Nitrofurantoin

The type and treatment duration will depend on the severity of the infection. It also depends on the dog’s health and antibiotic sensitivity.

Problems With Antibiotics For Dog UTIs

When using antibiotics, there can be a recurrence of a UTI. This is when antibiotics aren’t finished, and a UTI can return. This is because the bacteria weren’t eliminated. It’s crucial to complete the antibiotics even if symptoms disappear.

Skipping lab tests before giving antibiotics to your dog can lead to the wrong treatment. This causes antibiotic resistance. This makes treating future UTIs harder.

Antibiotic resistance is the overuse or misuse of antibiotics. The bacteria that caused the initial UTI becomes resistant to the prescribed antibiotics. It makes recurrent UTIs harder to treat and more likely to return.

A study by UC Davis showed that antibiotics were 90% effective in treating simple UTIs in dogs. Then they looked at recurrence. They found dogs were more likely to develop resistance to the same antibiotics. Complicated infections were more likely to be resistant to multiple drugs. 

Antibiotics can also harm good gut bacteria. They do not address the root cause of UTIs. 

How Long Does A Dog UTI Last?

The duration of a UTI in dogs varies. It’s based on infection severity, overall health, and treatment. Most acute cases improve within days to several weeks. It takes several weeks to eliminate bacteria from the urinary tract. Even when symptoms seem better, treatment should continue to be sure.

Underlying health conditions influence the duration of the infection. You may need urine tests or imaging studies to confirm the infection is gone. 

Unfortunately, recurrence of Dog UTIs is common.

Recurrence Of Dogs Urinary Tract Infections

You can treat a UTI in dogs with natural remedies or veterinary treatments. But in either case, a recurrence can happen. Here’s why:  

• Incomplete Treatment: When you stop antibiotics before the full course, bacteria can multiply and re-infect.
• Antibiotic Resistance: Overuse of antibiotics creates resistant bacteria. It doesn’t respond to the usual medicines.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Existing problems make recurring UTIs more likely. These include bladder stones, blockages, diabetes, or weak immune systems.
• Poor Hygiene: An unclean genital area allows bacteria to enter the urinary tract.  
• Urinary Tract Obstructions: Stones or tumors in the urinary tract make it hard for urine to flow. It holds bacteria and can lead to repeat infections.
• Urinary Retention: Nerve issues or weak muscles cause urine to stay in the bladder. This leads to bacterial growth and more UTIs.
• Contamination from the Environment: Dirty water or feces introduce bacteria into the urinary tract and cause infections. Dogs that spend a lot of time outside or swim a lot get UTIs more often.
• Stress or Anxiety: Stressful events or changes in a dog’s life weaken the immune system. It makes it more likely to get infections like UTIs.
• Hormonal Changes: Changes in hormones, like during a female dog’s heat cycle, affect the balance of the urinary tract.  
• Age: Older dogs are prone to getting recurring UTIs. They have weaker bladders and immune systems. They often have other health problems.

When you address these factors, you’ll minimize the risk of recurrence.  

How Do You Prevent Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs?

Dog owners have an ongoing role to support their dog’s good health. Preventing UTIs is part of it. Here’s how to prevent dog UTIs:

• Maintain good hygiene 
• Provide fresh water and liquids
• Promote regular exercise 
• Feed a fresh, whole food diet 
• Support  the immune system with a healthy diet and probiotics
• Stay vigilant and watch for signs of urinary tract issues
• Health checkups that include a urinalysis for dogs with existing health issues 

Final Thoughts About Dog Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections can cause discomfort and health complications if left untreated. Pet owners can be proactive. You need to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatments for UTIs. Prompt care is essential to maintain good urinary health. And that supports your dog’s overall wellbeing. 

FAQ

How do you know if a dog had a UTI? If your dog had a UTI, they would likely show some of the common urinary symptoms like: frequent urination, straining or crying out while urinating, bloody or cloudy urine, or unusually strong urine odor. If these symptoms are present, it’s best to seek veterinary care for confirmation through a urine sample.

How can I treat my dog’s UTI at home? To manage a dog’s UTI at home, consider natural remedies such as D-Mannose, which prevents harmful bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, cranberry supplements to support urinary health, and increasing water intake to help flush out bacteria. However, any persistent infection or symptoms should be evaluated by a vet.

Can dog UTI resolve on its own? Some mild urinary issues, particularly those driven by inflammation rather than bacterial infection, can improve with increased water intake and dietary adjustments. However, true infections often require medical intervention to prevent complications such as kidney damage and even chronic kidney disease.

Is a UTI in a dog an emergency? A UTI in a dog is not typically an emergency unless it is accompanied by severe symptoms like extreme pain, complete inability to urinate, or significant blood in the dog’s urine. These signs indicate a potentially serious complication requiring immediate veterinary care.