Puppy Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

Summary Of Recommendations For Uncomplicated Utis

Do Cranberries Work For Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs?

2.1.1. Diagnosis of Uncomplicated UTIs

Proper and timely diagnosis is critical for management of UTIs. Proper diagnosis allows for determination of both the need for antimicrobials and optimal drugs.

As discussed above, clinical signs are nonspecific and should not be used alone for diagnosis of UTI. Rather, the presence of clinical abnormalities should indicate the need for further testing.

Sediment analysis alone is inadequate for diagnosis of UTIs because of problems regarding the variable quality of interpretation, stain contamination, and false positive results from bacteriuria in the absence of clinical infection. Hematuria and proteinuria are often present with a UTI, but they are nonspecific and may be caused by noninfectious conditions. The presence of pyuria and bacteriuria does, however, provide supporting evidence of a UTI. Sediment analysis is a useful adjunctive measure to consider in conjunction with clinical signs and culture results. All individuals performing analysis should be proficient at the technique, ideally through formal training and ongoing education and quality control.

Complete urinalysis, including urine-specific gravity, urine glucose level determination, and examination of the sediment for crystalluria is considered a minimum database for evaluation of suspected UTI and may be helpful to investigate underlying causes of infection, if present.

2.1.2. Treatment of Uncomplicated UTIs

Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections : Symptoms Diagnosis And Treatment

A urinary tract infection usually refers to a bacterial infection of any or all parts of the urinary tract, but it most commonly involves the urinary bladder .

UTIs are common in dogs, especially females, but are uncommon in cats less than 10 years of age. However, cats older than 10 years of age have a higher risk for a UTI, which is often associated with other diseases .

Two things must occur for presentation of a bacterial UTI:

1. There must be a break, either temporary or permanent, in the animals defenses.2. Bacteria must migrate into the urinary tract, catch hold and multiply.

What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection In Dogs

Even a healthy, frequently cleaned dog can develop a UTI. The infection is most often the result of bacteria surrounding the dog’s genitals or when foreign debris gathered from rolling around outdoors travels up the dog’s urethra and affects their bladder .

Certain treatments of other illnesses, such as corticosteroids, also increased the risk of UTI development in dogs .

Pet owner’s inattention to the infection gives it time to travel up and into the dog’s kidneys, causing further and more serious health issues, such as excruciating kidney stones, which then may result in kidney failure

A weakened immune system, whether due to battling another illness simultaneously or being a young puppy thats not fully developed or a vulnerable geriatric dog, can make it more difficult for the dog’s body to fight off the urinary infection .

Also Check: Cvs Urinary Tract Infection Medicine

What Are The Symptoms Of Utis In Dogs

Similar to UTIs in cats, common symptoms of UTIs in dogs include:

Bloody and/or cloudy urine
Increased thirst
Lack of energy

Make sure youre always watching out for changes in your dogs peeing habits to stop a UTI in its tracks, and be extra vigilant if you know that your lovable breed of dog is more susceptible to bladder stones.

How To Treat Bladder Infections In Dogs

Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs â Symptoms, Prevention & Treatments

Antibiotics are the primary treatment for bladder infections in dogs, although in some cases your vet may recommend anti-inflammatory medications or pain killers depending on the severity and underlying cause.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Treatment Of A Urinary Infection In Cats

Treatment is based on findings. Bladder stones or crystals in the urinary tract may cause symptoms like those of a UTI. If this is the case, surgery or a diet change may solve the problem. If a UTI is confirmed, a round of antibiotics will help fight the infection. When a urinary blockage is present, a catheter may be inserted in the male cat’s urethra and flushed to unblock it. Special diets may be prescribed if necessary.

So next time your cat is urinating in odd places, don’t assume it’s a behavioral issue have him checked to rule out this dangerous condition. Many times it turns out to be just a moment of stress or a dirty litter box, but the saying “better safe than sorry” becomes a savvy one when dealing with your feline companion’s health.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the authorâs knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

What Do Utis In Dogs Look Like

UTIs can be hard to spot, which is why you should always take note of your pups potty habits. If your dog is attempting to pee small amounts every time you take them outside, needs to go more often, straining or crying when urinating, or having accidents in the house even when they are potty trained, it could be a sign of a UTI. The most obvious and alarming symptom is blood mixed in with your dogs urine if you notice this, you should call your vet immediately.

Recommended Reading: Apple Cider For Urinary Tract Infection

Treatment Options For Dogs With Urinary Tract Infections

Treatment for UTI focuses on managing pain, giving antibiotics for bacterial UTIs. If there is an underlying cause, this must be addressed as well. Dogs with a recessed vulva often benefit from surgery which helps correct this problem. Some dogs with bladder stones can be treated by changing the diet. This helps prevent the future formation of stones in the bladder. For more information on bladder stones, click here!

Talk to your vet about other or alternative treatments such as supplements and/or acupuncture. Cranberry juice has not been proven to help dogs with UTI, but it can be offered to dogs along with their normal bowl of fresh water. Its important to note that cranberry juice or cranberry supplements are thought to improve bladder health and decrease the recurrence of UTI, but they will not cure a current bladder infection.

Make sure that your dog finishes all medications as directed by your vet. If your dog stops eating, has vomiting or diarrhea, or worsening of UTI symptoms while on medication, call your vet right away.

Follow up with your vet to recheck your dogs urine sample once the medication is finished. This will help determine if the UTI has cleared up or if your dog needs to continue treatment.

Pet Insurance Can Help You And Your Pup

Home Treatment for Dogs With a Urinary Infection

If youd rather leave UTI treatment to the experts especially if youre worried about your dog developing a bladder or urinary tract ailment, youre not alone. Bladder/urinary tract disease is one of the top 10 most vet-treated conditions for dogs,1,2 and continued treatment can hit your finances.

You may want to consider signing up for pet insurance as a proactive measure to lower your financial risk for potential health threats during your dogs lifetime. Why? Pet insurance is one of the best things you can do for your dog not only for the health of your pup, but to save you from financial trouble should an accident, illness, or pet emergency arise.

Humans have health insurance, so our furry friends should too. That way youll never have to choose between an expensive treatment and your pets suffering or even his life. Pet insurance gives you peace of mind, so you can make better and less emotional decisions in the face of a crisis.

Read about the best pet insurance providers to learn more.

You May Like: Royal Canin Feline Urinary So Canned Food

Complicated & Recurrent Uti

Antibiotics should never be selected empirically for complicated UTI without culture susceptibility results . Management of pyelonephritis, prostatitis, and relapsing or recurrent UTI is often unsuccessful without therapy guided by culture and susceptibility results. However, therapy should be instituted while culture and susceptibility results are being awaited. Rational initial drug choices for complicated UTI include amoxicillin, fluoroquinolones, or trimethoprim-sulfonamide.3

What Can I Give My Dog For A Urinary Tract Infection

Our Winston-Salem vets often see dogs suffering from urinary tract infections . In fact, it’s estimated that up to 27% of dogs will develop a UTI at some point in their life. Below, we share some of the most common symptoms of this condition in dogs, and what you can give your dog if they have a UTI.

How To Prevent Urinary Tract Infections From Occurring

Some pet parents try giving their dog yogurt for a UTI, which is thought to balance a dog’s microbiome in general. But this method has varying results and doesn’t necessarily work for every dog. It’s best to ask your vet for a recommendation instead of trying a home remedy to prevent or treat UTIs.

Marx says the best thing you can do to prevent another UTI is to make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water. Also, take frequent walks or provide a lot of potty breaks for your dog throughout the day.

If your dog has recurring UTIs, your vet may recommend taking supplements. “Cranberry and vitamin C can help dogs that have chronic UTIs by lowering urine pH,” Marx says. “But discuss it with your vet before using any treatment. These supplements can make some types of infections worse, especially if certain crystal types are part of the cause.”

An underlying medical condition could also be what’s behind your dog’s multiple UTIs or difficulty getting one to go away. Your vet may suggest additional testing to determine the root cause of chronic UTIs.

Managing Multiple Episodes Of Uti:

Home Remedies for Dogs With Urinary Tract Infections

In dogs and cats, if UTI occurs only once or twice yearly, each episode may be treated as an acute, uncomplicated UTI. If episodes occur more often, and predisposing causes of UTI cannot be identified or corrected, chronic low-dose therapy may be necessary. Low antimicrobial concentrations in the urine may interfere with fimbriae production by some pathogens and prevent their adhesion to the uroepithelium. In dogs, recurrent UTIs are due to a different strain or species of bacteria ~80% of the time therefore, antimicrobial culture and susceptibility is still indicated. Antimicrobial therapy should be started as previously described and when urine culture is negative, continued daily at â the total daily dose. The antimicrobial should be administered last thing at night to ensure that the bladder contains urine with a high antimicrobial concentration for as long as possible.

Use Of Antibiotics For Treating Utis In Dogs And Cats

JD Foster

VMD, DACVIM

Dr. Foster is an internist and Director of the Extracorporeal Therapies Service at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C. He has lectured around the world on various renal and urinary diseases and authored numerous manuscripts and book chapters on these topics. He is the current president of the American Society of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology.

Urinary tract infections are common in small animal practice it has been reported that up to 27% of dogs will develop infection at some time in their lives.1

Most UTIs are successfully treated with commonly used drugs, dosages, and administration intervals. However, infections can be challenging to effectively treat when they involve the kidneys and prostate . In addition, it can be difficult to create an appropriate antibiotic prescription in patients with kidney disease due to reduced drug clearance.

Understanding drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is essential when determining the most effective antibiotic therapy. In addition, successful antimicrobial therapy requires appropriate choice of antibiotic, including dose, frequency, and duration .

Figure 1

Stranguria

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections

Normal dog and cat urine is on the slightly acidic side of neutral and should have a pH of around 6.0-7.0. This is because dogs and cats are carnivores and should be eating a diet higher in protein or meat.

However, when the pH of the urine gets too high or too low, this is when crystals and even bladder stones, or uroliths, can form. This happens commonly due to inappropriate diets, like ultra-processed kibble. Kibble is higher in carbs and vegetable matter.

Herbivores, like goats, horses, and cows, naturally have a higher, or more alkaline urine pH, than a carnivore would due to their plant diet.

Also, many over-the-counter diets are too high in magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate which is what makes up the common struvite crystal.

If your dog is on a high carb or starchy food, the pH of the urine will be higher which will predispose them to struvite crystals, stones, and even bacterial infections.But if your dogs pH is too low, calcium oxalate crystals and stones can form.

Ideally, we want your dogs pH to be just below neutral at 6.0-7.0. This can usually be achieved by being on a species-appropriate diet that is higher in protein due to real meat that is more biologically available and low in starches.

Other causes of UTIs can be conformational defects and drug-related immunosuppression.

Do Antibiotics Always Work For Utis

Antibiotics are a common treatment for UTIs. Your vet will choose the right antibiotic based on the bacteria she finds in your dogs urinalysis. But they may not always be effective. In 2015, University of Copenhagen researchers reviewed 14 different studies of antibiotic treatments for UTIs for dogs and cats. They found very limited evidence to support use of antibiotics for UTIs, and concluded: there is little published evidence relating to antibiotic treatment of UTIs in dogs and cats.

That may be because, as mentioned earlier, some UTIs stem from inflammation and not a bacterial infection.

What Are Utis In Dogs

Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs (UTI’s)

You might think a UTI means your dog has a urinary tract infection caused by a urinary pathogen or bacterial infection. But your dogs urinary tract disease might not be what it seems. Bladder issues often stem from inflammation with no bacteria causing them at all. In fact, many holistic vets say that UTI stands for urinary tract inflammation . This is important to help you treat bladder problems in your dog.

Also Check: Is Cranberry Juice Good For Your Urinary Tract

What Can Happen If A Dogs Urinary Tract Problems Go Untreated

As UTIs may be a symptom of another underlying condition, its essential to seek veterinary care as soon as possible if you suspect your dog might have a UTI.

Left untreated, a UTI could go on to cause more serious illnesses such as a kidney infection in one or both kidneys.

Untreated UTIs may also cause dogs to develop struvite bladder stones. While not all bladder stones are related to infection, this specific type which is quite common in dogs are directly correlated with UTIs. Bladder stones can then predispose your dog to more UTIs, in addition to being incredibly painful.

Include Prebiotics And Probiotics

Probiotics are the good bacteria that your dog needs in her gut to maintain healthy immune function and digestion. Prebiotics are the fibers that these good bacteria eat, which helps them stay healthy. In turn, your dogs digestive tract stays healthy.

Good bacteria crowd out the harmful bacteria and may lower the chances of developing a UTI. The easiest and most effective way to give your dog probiotics is in a supplement form.

How Can You Help Prevent Utis In Your Dog

The best things pet parents can do to prevent UTIs in dogs is to make sure they drink lots of water, go to the bathroom on a regular basis, eat nutritious food that will maintain a strong immune system, and have any underlying disorders that contribute to the development of a UTI treated. If your dog suffers from recurring UTIs, your vet might recommend supplements or probiotics.

If your pups diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, having pet insurance can help you say yes to the best care, even when its costly. Check out how one of Pumpkins dog insurance plans can help cover the cost of a UTI and more.

Fetch your free quote!

*Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy.Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company , a Crum & Forster Company and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin receives compensation based on the premiums for the insurance policies it sells. For more details visit pumpkin.care/underwriting-information and pumpkin.care/insurance-licenses.

How Do Dogs Get A Uti

Urinary Tract Infection and Kidney Support Remedy for Dogs (450 pills ...

The most common cause of a UTI in dogs is bacteria that enter the urethral opening and travels up the urethra and into the bladder, where it then multiplies and causes infection. This bacteria can come from feces or debris that enters the area. Bacteria is also more likely to develop if your dog has a weakened immune system.

Don’t Miss: Can You Get Urinary Tract Infection From Sex

How Are Bladder Infections Are Treated In Dogs

If your dog is experiencing pain or other severe symptoms of a bladder infection outside of your vet’s regular hours contact AnimERge emergency animal hospital . Our veterinarians provide New Jersey pets with emergency and specialist care.