Dog Urinary Tract Infection Treatment: A Gaithersburg Pet Owner’s Guide

A UTI is likely to be a cause if your dog suddenly needs to go outside every hour, strains to pee or has accidents inside the house. UTIs are among the most frequently encountered conditions at Grove Center Veterinary Hospital, and fortunately, the treatment of a dog urinary tract infection is typically simple and highly effective if caught early. From initial vet visit to complete recovery, this guide explains why UTIs occur in dogs, how they’re diagnosed, and what treatment entails.

What is a UTI in Dogs?

UTI’s occur when bacteria normally present on the skin, hair or in the rectum migrate up the urethra and into the bladder. If left untreated, that infection may work its way up and affect the kidneys, a more serious infection known as pyelonephritis. A significant proportion of dogs will experience UTIs at some time in their life, particularly older and female dogs.

Most UTIs are in one of two categories and this is important when it comes to dog urinary tract infection treatment:

• Sporadic (uncomplicated) UTIs: Only one UTI in a healthy dog.
• Recurrent or complicated UTIs: UTIs that return or those that happen when there is another underlying medical condition such as bladder stones, diabetes, kidney disease.
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So, what is it that causes UTIs in dogs?

Dogs are particularly vulnerable to most infections; here are some of the reasons, and an understanding of them can pave the way for the appropriate dog urinary tract infection treatment plan from the beginning:

• Anatomy. The female dog’s urethra is a shorter structure, allowing bacteria to travel upwards easily. A recessed vulva is a particular risk factor in dogs for recurrent infections.
• Age. UTIs are more commonly seen in senior dogs, either because of a weakened immune system, or another medical condition.
• Underlying conditions. UTIs can be caused by diabetes, Cushing’s disease and chronic kidney disease.
• Bladder stones. The stones may irritate the bladder lining and they can trap bacteria, making it more difficult to completely expel them from the bladder.
• Incomplete bladder emptying. Long periods of urination without the dog getting the chance to go to the bathroom, or neurological problems that disrupt bladder control are risk factors.

It is crucial to determine if this is one of the causes when working on a dog treatment plan for an UTI, particularly for dogs that are experiencing recurrent UTI infections.

Recognizing the Signs

Dogs generally have symptoms that are easily seen, but can be misdiagnosed as a simple accident or “old age.” Watch for:

• Urinary frequency (frequent urination) or straining to urinate (with minimal output)
• House soiling problems by a dog that was house trained before the accident occurred
• Urine that contains blood or is cloudy (urinary hematuria)
• Urine that has a strong or unusual odor
• Increased licking of genital area
• Incontinence or urinating frequently.
• Having trouble urinating or crying when urinating.
• Increased thirst

If you see these symptoms, particularly if you are straining and have many small urines, you should consider going to see the doctor soon. Early treatment for a dog’s urinary tract infection helps to alleviate the discomfort quickly, which also helps minimize the risk of the infection reaching the kidneys.

How UTIs Are Diagnosed

Grove Center Veterinary Hospital will typically use the following steps to diagnose a UTI:

1. Urine tests, to look for crystals, blood, bacteria, and white blood cells in the urine.
2. Urine culture (if possible) by sterile needle drawn direct from the bladder to determine the actual bacteria present and what antibiotics will be effective.
3. Blood tests to identify diabetes or kidney disease if it is known that the dog has a problem.
4. In dogs that have multiple urinary tract infections, imaging (x-rays or ultrasound) to look for stones or abnormalities in the bladder.

While sometimes it’s not necessary for a first-time simple infection, for dogs that have recurring or chronic infections, culture is a crucial part of dog urinary tract infection treatment, because without knowing what type of antibiotic to use, one could leave behind resistant bacteria.

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The spine of Dog Urinary Tract Infection Treatment is the following:

1. Antibiotics Dog UTI treatment is the mainstay of antibiotic therapy. Modern veterinary practice encourages short courses, typically 3-5 days, and is mostly antibiotic based with amoxicillin or trimethoprim/sulphadiazine as the first choice. Within a day or two of starting the right medication, most dogs will notice a definite improvement, but it’s important to complete the entire recommended course of treatment, even after symptoms go away, to ensure the infection is completely cleared and to minimize the chance for resistance to develop.

1. Pain Relief Sometimes antispasmodic or pain relief may be prescribed for a short period of time to help alleviate any bladder discomfort or urgency while the antibiotics are working and to prevent the bladder from becoming overly irritated by the UTI. This is not always indicated, but it can be useful to make your dog feel at ease during the first days of treatment.

1. Addressing Underlying Causes If the blood tests or imaging tests show an underlying disease of the body, such as bladder stones, diabetes or a kidney disease, an underlying disease must be treated together with the infection. This is one of the most frequent causes of the treatment of UTI in dogs to either fail or become recurrent.

1. Encouraging Hydration Increasing water intake helps to wash bacteria out of the bladder and thin the urine, reducing irritation. It’s a simple but helpful way of supportive care during treatment that includes encouraging people to drink water, sometimes by using a pet fountain and/or by adding water to food.

1. Dietary Support A prescription urinary diet might be suggested for dogs whose bladder stones are helping to cause the urinary infections, to help dissolve some types of stones or to prevent their formation. Diet should not be used as an antibiotic, but rather as an important supporting treatment with more complicated cases.

1. Follow-Up Testing A recheck urinalysis or culture taken around 1-2 weeks after completed antibiotic treatment confirms that the infection has actually resolved. This stage is easy to overlook when your dog is feeling better again, but it’s an essential component of a dog urinary tract infection treatment, particularly if your dog has a history of UTIs.

Managing Recurrent UTIs

If your dog is getting UTIs over and over again, it’s a different problem than a single UTI. Vets usually do the following for dogs that have had three or more infections within a year:

• Re-culture the urine to check the bacteria and exclude resistance.
• Examine to check for anatomical problems, bladder stones or hormonal problems
• Take into account a more extended antibiotic treatment that is based on culture results.
• Review hygiene, fluid and toilet routines at home
• Discuss preventative measures: if the underlying factors are not corrected then the next flare up may be postponed but not prevented!

In most cases, a more comprehensive workup of your dog will be the most beneficial long term therapy for UTIs, though it requires more time initially.

What Recovery Looks Like

Dogs with uncomplicated, simple UTIs definitely feel much better within 24 to 48 hours of beginning the proper antibiotic, but the antibiotic will take its full course for the UTI to get better. Depending on the severity of the infection, including kidney infection and/or stones, a longer recovery period may be necessary and several of the above dog urinary tract infection treatments may be required. Monitor your dog’s urine, energy level, appetite, and, during dog urinary tract infection treatment, your veterinarian should be contacted if there is no improvement in symptoms within a couple of days of beginning antibiotic treatment.

When to Seek Emergency Care

If your dog is straining to urinate and very little urine is coming out, this can be a true emergency as it may be a urinary blockage, particularly in males. Do not wait and see if it will go away. Likewise, if your dog gets fever, starts vomiting or becomes more lethargic during the treatment, it means that the infection is probably spreading to the kidneys and requires immediate treatment.

If you’re unsure about when to contact Grove Center Veterinary Hospital, please reach out to us for advice.

If your dog is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, UTI does not mean it will go away on its own, so please don’t wait it out if your dog is urinating frequently, has urinary accidents in the house, or is leaking blood in the urine. Fast treatment of your dog’s Urinary tract infection means that your dog is comfortable and a minor bladder infection will not progress to a more serious condition like a kidney infection. Our Gaithersburg team of professionals is at your disposal to accurately and quickly diagnose the problem and return your dog to normal.

Conclusion

UTIs are not pleasant, but are also one of the more treatable conditions we see – particularly if managed at an early stage. Treatment of a UTI in dogs typically involves the correct antibiotic with the correct length of treatment, sometimes with a urine culture to help determine the proper antibiotic, as well as supportive care such as fluid therapy and pain management, if necessary. If a dog has had the infection more than once, it is important to get to the root of the problem to truly address the issue rather than just managing the symptoms. If your dog is making any indication that she is uncomfortable when she has to go, please contact Grove Center Veterinary Hospital and we’ll help her get comfortable again as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is the first step in the treatment of the dog UTI? 

A urinalysis is typically the first test performed and sometimes a urine culture may be included to confirm the infection and to identify what bacteria are causing it. This will enable your veterinarian to pick the best antibiotic right away.

2. How many days does it take to treat dog urinary tract infection? 

The treatment for uncomplicated infections is usually a course of antibiotics lasting 3 to 5 days and most dogs can be seen making a tremendous improvement in 1 – 2 days. If the infection is more complicated or repeated, it may take longer to treat.

3. Can a dog UTI go away without antibiotics? 

No, prescription antibiotics are necessary to completely eradicate a true bacterial UTI. Dogs will feel better if you provide supportive treatment such as an increased amount of water, but this does not cure the infection.

4. What are most of the antibiotics prescribed for UTIs in dogs? 

Simple infections are often treated with amoxicillin and trimethoprim-sulfonamide. If possible, your veterinarian will choose the antibiotic that is best suited to the urine culture findings.

5. What is causing my dog to keep getting UTI’s?

If a UTI is recurrent, there will be an underlying cause, such as bladder stones, diabetes, anatomic differences or a UTI that was not adequately treated. If the cause is identified through a proper work up then it can be treated directly.

6. Do we routinely order a urine culture? 

Not always. Sometimes it is not necessary to use a test to guide treatment for a dog’s first simple infection. A culture is useful when treatment has failed or is likely to fail in the case of recurrent or complicated infections, and to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.

7. Can diet help prevent UTIs in dogs? 

A prescription urinary diet can be beneficial for dogs with bladder stones that is causing urinary infections. Encouraging good hydration, however, is more important than particular food for most dogs.

8. What are the consequences of a dog UTI if it is not treated? 

If a UTI is left untreated, it can lead to a kidney infection, or in male dogs, to a life threatening urinary blockage. This risk is greatly reduced with timely treatment.

9. If my dog appears to be getting better and I have been prescribed a complete course of antibiotics, should I complete it?

 Yes, absolutely. While symptoms may rapidly improve, early stopping of antibiotics may leave some survivors of the infection and help lead to a new or resistant infection.

10. What is the best time to go to the emergency vet when my dog has a UTI? 

If your dog is straining to pass urine and is making very little, is extremely painful, or has a fever, vomiting, or acting lethargic, please contact the clinic immediately – not during your normal appointment.