Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
It’s not unusual for both male and female dogs and some puppies, to develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) sometime during their lifetime, with infections being more common in females and older dogs.
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Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria or less frequently a virus or fungus, and may be located in the bladder (cystitis), kidney (pyelonephritis), or prostate (prostatitis). These infections can make your pup feel badly, complicate housetraining, and can progress to more serious issues.
Signs of a UTI
- Housetraining backslides
- Marked inability to hold urine
- Increased frequency and urgency of urination
- Straining to urinate
- Blood in urine
- Lethargy, decrease in play and other normal activities
- Fever (typically 103F or higher)
When you see these signs it is time to call your veterinarian! UTIs rarely resolve by themselves and may become more serious if treatment is delayed.
Diagnosis and Treatment of UTIs
Diagnosis of a UTI is done by running a urinalysis to confirm the infection. When you call to schedule the appointment you may be asked to bring a urine sample.
Preferably your veterinarian will collect a sterile urine sample using a method called "cystocentesis" so that a test called a culture and sensitivity (C & S) can be run. This C&S test cultures the urine to see which, if any, bacteria grow and which antibiotics will be most effective against those bacteria.
Your vet may start your pup on an antibiotic before the C & S results are back from the lab. Depending on the results, the antibiotic may be continued or changed to one that is more effective against the particular bacteria cultured.
Your veterinarian may recommend rechecking the urinalysis following treatment to confirm the infection has resolved. Some pups may require a longer course of antibiotics to clear the infection.
If the symptoms return following treatment, be sure to take your pup back to see your veterinarian. Recurring UTIs may happen so another round of antibiotics may be necessary
What can you do to decrease risk of UTIs
- Keep the hair around your puppy's genitals trimmed short. That's the hair at the end of a male's penis or the hair around a female's vulva. Please trim carefully!
- Wipe your pup's genital area with an unscented baby wipe after they urinate. Monitor the area to be sure that the skin does not become dry or that the pup doesn’t begin to lick the area. Not all dogs need this extra care--some are quite good at keeping themselves clean!
- You may consider adding a canine cranberry extract supplement to your pup's food daily. Cranberry extracts containing proanthocyanidins (PACs) may help prevent UTI’s in dogs and humans with a history of recurrent UTIs with gram-negative bacteria, especially E. coli. Supplement quality can be quite variable so we recommend choosing a well regarded canine supplement, for example, Cranimals Organic Cranberry, if you are going to supplement. Check with your veterinarian prior to adding this or any supplement as it may be contraindicated due to other health conditions or in conjunction with other medications.
Many dog owners and breeders who have had experience with UTIs in pups report that the risk seems to decline as the pups mature (and they get further from the ground) so these preventive measures may only be necessary for your pup's first 9 to 12 months.
