Urinary tract infections (UTI) in dogs can be serious business, especially when they go undetected. Integrative veterinarian, Dr. Julie Buzby, shares causes, symptoms, and treatment plans for UTIs in dogs. Plus, learn practical steps you can take to ensure your dog’s urinary health. Because you can never have TMI on UTIs.
Most of us are familiar with UTIs in humans, which (like dogs) are much more common in females. But do you know the often subtle symptoms of urinary tract infection in dogs? And why UTIs are often a “hidden” condition?
Let’s take a look at this often sneaky yet very common medical condition, so that you can be armed with the information you need to help your dog.
Additionally, I’ll introduce you to three of my veterinary patients. Each dear dog’s story illustrates the gamut of ways canine urinary tract infections can present.
- What is a UTI in dogs?
- How do dogs get urinary tract infections?
- 10 signs of UTI in dogs
- Penny’s story: The worst-case scenario of a bad UTI in dogs
- How does a vet check for a UTI in dogs?
- What is the treatment for a UTI in dogs?
- How can you help prevent urinary tract infections in dogs?
- Bailey’s story: Predisposing factors play a role in UTIs in dogs
- Early detection + proactive pet parent + vet = The best care
- What questions do you have about UTIs in dogs?
What is a UTI in dogs?
The letters “UTI” in “UTI in dogs” stand for “urinary tract infection.” Your dog’s urinary tract consists of four components, two of which—the kidneys and the bladder— more commonly become infected.
A bladder infection is called “cystitis” and a kidney infection is called “pyelonephritis.” But often they get lumped together under the term “UTI.”
First, let’s get an overview of the urinary system so you can picture how all the parts fit together. The paired kidneys continuously filter your dog’s blood to produce urine. (As a fun fact, the kidneys receive approximately 20% of the blood in the body with each heartbeat!). This urine constantly drips down a narrow tube called a ureter, which is attached at one end to the kidney.
The other end of the ureter attaches to the bladder. As the ureter dumps urine into the bladder, the bladder begins to fill up and stretch, much like a balloon. The bladder stores the urine until your dog urinates. At that time, the urine exits the bladder via the urethra (another tube) and is deposited on the ground.
That is the urinary tract in a nutshell. Regardless of how familiar with urinary tract anatomy you were prior to reading this, you probably already have some idea of what a urinary tract infection is like (in humans at least).
But did you know that urinary tract infections in dogs can be occult? Not “occult” as in wizardry or voodoo. “Occult” disease in medicine means that the condition occurs without obvious signs or symptoms. I suspect that there are many dogs, especially females, running around the world with undiagnosed UTIs.
How do dogs get urinary tract infections?
To understand why UTIs often go undiagnosed, let’s look at what causes UTIs in dogs. Here are five factors that play into a dog’s risk for getting a UTI.
1. Feces is full of bacteria, which can cause a UTI.
First, fecal contamination is one of the major culprits behind UTIs in dogs. Here’s why: A dog’s feces (poop) is full of bacteria. For example, E. coli is one of the more common bacteria that veterinarians see causing UTIs. And, you guessed it, E. coli is found in poop.
PRO TIP: If your dog has any sort of issue urinating or defecating in a tidy manner, I’m an advocate for using unscented, sensitive skin baby wipes to help keep your dog “wiped” clean.
2. If a dog isn’t urinating frequently/properly, it’s less likely that the bacteria are getting flushed out.
Next, if a dog urinates infrequently and/or doesn’t empty the bladder fully, he or she is at a greater risk of getting a UTI. This is the case for two reasons.
First, a good flow of urine pushes out the bacteria that might have started to ascend up the urethra to the bladder.
Think about the bacteria like little mountain climbers. If every time they start to climb up the mountain (ie. urethra) an avalanche (i.e. the flow of urine) comes along and forces them down to the base of the mountain, they will never summit the mountain (i.e. reach the bladder where they can set up infection). But if the avalanches (i.e. urination) are infrequent, the bacteria may have time to get to the bladder.
Second, the longer the urine sits in the bladder, the more time the bacteria have to “set up shop” and multiply in the bladder.
If the dog urinates frequently and effectively empties the bladder, the bacteria that make it to the bladder get deposited on the ground fairly soon after arriving to the bladder. That doesn’t leave as many (or hopefully any) bacteria in the bladder. However, infrequent urination gives the bacteria lots of time to multiply.
Also sometimes a dog is unable to sufficiently empty the bladder due to conditions such as IVDD in dogs, a spinal stroke in dogs, or other neurologic or orthopedic problems. The residual urine in the bladder can act as a “storehouse” for the bacteria. Since more urine, and therefore potentially more bacteria is left behind, this makes a UTI more likely.
3. Some medical conditions may predispose dogs to UTIs.
In addition to the conditions listed above that lead to urine retention, other diseases or anatomical abnormalities also can interfere with the normal defenses of the urinary tract system. This may happen when the condition changes the composition of the urine, damages the urinary tract, alters its function, or suppresses the immune system. As a result, UTIs are more common in dogs with the following conditions:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cushing’s disease in dogs
- Kidney failure
- Urinary stones
- Recent indwelling urinary catheter placement
- Urinary incontinence in dogs
- Ectopic ureters (ureters that don’t insert into the correct location on the bladder)
- Recessed or hooded vulva (i.e. excessive skin folds around the vulva that trap moisture and bacteria)
- Cancer somewhere in the urinary tract
4. Some medications can predispose a dog to getting a UTI.
Sometimes a dog will be taking a medication that suppresses the immune system. When the immune system isn’t up to par, foreign invaders (i.e. bacteria) can more easily set up shop in the bladder or kidneys. If a dog is taking prednisone for dogs or other immunosuppressive medications, he or she may be more likely to develop a UTI.
5. A female dog’s anatomy increases the chances of UTI.
The way the “plumbing” lays out on a female dog (i.e. the distance from the bladder to the external world and the location of the urethra opening) makes the chances for a UTI more likely. Quite simply, it is a matter of location, location, location.
Basically, the end of the urethra—which is the tube that runs from the bladder externally—ends in a completely different place than on a male dog.
If you think about the anatomy of a female and male dog, the male dog’s plumbing has a lot longer path to travel through the penis to end under the abdomen. That is a longer distance for bacteria to travel to reach the bladder and also further from the anus.
In the female, the vulva sits right under the anus, so we see more fecal contamination. This is especially true for senior dogs who may have more difficulty squatting to urinate (more difficulty posturing) and are prone to incontinence. Also, UTIs are more common in dogs who are overweight and have excess folds of skin around the vulva.
10 signs of UTI in dogs
Now that we’ve determined why dogs can get a UTI, let’s uncover the signs of urinary tract infections. The list below includes a wide range of symptoms that may be present when a dog has a urinary tract infection. As the UTI progresses, the signs generally move from hidden (subtle) to obvious.
Signs of UTIs in dogs may include:
- Licking of the external genitalia
- Dark staining around the vulva (females)
- Frequent urination
- Urinating just a few drops at a time
- Urine leaking
- Urinating in the house (i.e. having accidents)
- Blood in the urine
- Increased drinking
- Discharge from the vulva or prepuce (i.e. skin covering the penis)
- Straining to urinate (As a word of caution, if your dog is straining frequently and unable to urinate, contact your vet immediately. Sometimes dogs can have a bladder stone move into the urethra and cause a urinary obstruction. This is a medical emergency.)
These signs are classically associated with a UTI, although they may be associated with other medical conditions, too. I can’t stress enough the importance of consulting your vet when you first notice anything of concern.
Why do I stress the importance of early detection?
The story of Penny haunts me to this day. I’m sharing it with you, not to worry you, as I never want to cause anyone to worry. Instead, I hope to help spread awareness of the importance of knowing all the signs of a UTI so that we can best care for our dogs.
Penny’s story: The worst-case scenario of a bad UTI in dogs
Every veterinary hospital has a few “frequent flyer” patients who seem to be at the office constantly. Penny, a 4-year-old Westie, was one of ours. She was usually on the appointment schedule for her chronic skin issues.
But one Friday morning, Penny presented for blood in her urine. She had a low-grade fever but no other obvious symptoms. After running some tests, she was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and sent home with oral antibiotics.
But here’s the horrible part that plagues me to this day: Penny died that weekend. Her death was a shock to everyone on our staff—the doctor who saw her, certainly me, and most of all, her family. It was heartbreaking on so many levels.
Because of this unexpected outcome, I asked Penny’s mom if she would consent to a necropsy (an animal autopsy). She agreed, and I drove the deceased dog to a specialist to have the autopsy performed. Penny’s parents wanted closure and I wanted answers, but the final report broke my heart.
Penny had died from an infection in the kidneys called pyelonephritis, which is literally translated as “pus in the kidneys.” Most likely, bacteria had ascended from the bladder through her ureters to the kidneys.
To this day, I don’t know how she got so sick so fast without her conscientious owners seeking emergency veterinary care. I suspect her family thought that she was on appropriate medication and just needed time. I’m haunted to this day by the thought that we could have done more for Penny.
The moral of this sad story? Urinary tract infections are more than just painful and annoying. In “the perfect storm,” they can become life-threatening.
How does a vet check for a UTI in dogs?
Penny’s devastating story covers the importance of the “early” portion of early detection. Next, let’s address the “detection” portion. After your vet performs a comprehensive physical exam and checks your dog’s vital signs, he or she will want to examine a sample of your dog’s urine.
In some cases, your dog’s veterinarian may need to collect a sterile sample from the dog’s bladder by cystocentesis—drawing the urine directly from the bladder using a needle. It sounds awful, but it is a very common, safe procedure and most dogs barely seem to notice. Also, it is the best way to get an idea of what the urine in the bladder is like, especially if your vet plans to culture your dog’s urine.
You see, as we have discussed, bacteria can live around the external opening of the urethra and even start crawling up the urethra. So, if you collect a sample of your dog’s urine when he or she urinates (i.e. a “free catch” sample), that urine contains anything that was in the bladder PLUS whatever bacteria or debris were in or around the urethra.
Your vet may still be able to assess whether or not your dog has a UTI based on that sample, but sometimes the results are ambiguous. Plus, that sample isn’t useful for a culture because of the bacteria from the urethra and surrounding skin.
By the way, in the event that your vet does want you to collect a urine sample at home, check out the tips in my blog, 7 Tips for Improving Your Dog’s Lab Tests.
Urinalysis and other tests
Sometimes your vet will be able to analyze the urine sample at the clinic that day. The veterinary team may use an automated analyzer or a urine dipstick and manual microscopic examination of the urine to look for signs of a UTI.
If white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria are all present in the urine, this makes infection likely. The urinalysis also can look for crystals that may indicate bladder stones, check the concentration of the urine, and screen for abnormal levels of other substances such a protein or glucose.
If the clinic doesn’t have the equipment for the urinalysis or other specialized tests are indicated based on the in-clinic urinalysis, your vet may send the sample to a diagnostic lab. The lab can analyze the sample and also perform a culture and sensitivity test. The urine culture reveals which bacteria are growing in the urine and the sensitivity test indicates which antibiotics are the most likely to be effective against that bacteria.
What is the treatment for a UTI in dogs?
If the vet confirms that your dog has a UTI, he or she will prescribe an antibiotic to help treat the infection.
Antibiotics for UTIs in dogs
Choosing the right antibiotic to treat a UTI is extremely important. For a first-time infection or a simple UTI, some vets will empirically select an antibiotic. This means they base the antibiotic choice on their knowledge of which bacteria most commonly cause UTIs and the antibiotics that are typically effective against that organism.
In other cases, the vet will recommend a culture and sensitivity test to assist in antibiotic selection. This is because some bacteria have, unfortunately, developed resistance to certain antibiotics over time. By knowing which organism is growing in the urine and which antibiotics the organism is susceptible to, the vet can select the antibiotic that is most effective for that particular infection.
Antibiotic resistance continues to become more and more prevalent. A recent study indicated that almost 66% of bacteria isolated from dogs with bladder infections were resistant to multiple drugs. This is a big problem.
You can do your part to slow down the development of antibiotic resistance by only using antibiotics as directed by your vet. This means you should finish the entire course of antibiotics even if your dog seems to be feeling better. And you should never use leftover antibiotics from yourself or your dogs to try to treat your dog’s suspected UTI at home.
NSAIDs for pain relief
Since urinary tract infections can be quite uncomfortable, your vet may also prescribe a NSAID (i.e. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) to help reduce pain and inflammation.
It’s important to note that not only are UTI’s distressing for your dog, but they can also be quite dangerous. That’s why it is important to seek treatment from a vet right away rather than trying to treat your dog at home.
Are there home remedies for urinary tract infection?
You may be wondering what can you give a dog for a urinary tract infection or whether there are home remedies that cure a UTI in dogs. Unfortunately, the answer here is essentially “no.”
While cranberry extract may be useful in some situations (more on that soon), it is NOT a stand-alone cure for UTIs and should NOT be used that way. The best thing you can do for your dog is to get him or her to the vet if you think a UTI is brewing. And if it is a holiday or weekend when your regular vet isn’t open, consider an emergency vet visit.
Does cranberry help a UTI in dogs?
The question of cranberry supplements for UTIs in dogs comes up frequently. In fact, you may have heard about using cranberry for your dog’s urinary tract health. There’s a half-truth here.
Cranberry only works against one bacteria—E. coli. You see, cranberries contain substances called proanthocyanidins, which can make it harder for E. coli specifically to adhere to the bladder wall.
In other words, it’s not going to work for every single type of UTI in dogs. Don’t think of it as a panacea. But if you know that your dog is specifically prone to E. coli UTIs, a cranberry supplement such as CranMate® is a great option.
Interestingly, cranberry juice doesn’t seem to be as effective as a cranberry extract. So stick to proven supplements rather than pouring your dog a glass of cranberry juice.
What happens if your dog’s urinary tract infection goes untreated?
In addition to pyelonephritis as mentioned earlier, if a bladder infection goes undiagnosed and untreated, a dog can develop struvite bladder stones. Not all bladder stones are related to infection. However, this specific type—which are quite common in dogs—are directly correlated to an infection in the bladder.
Bladder stones can then predispose your dog to more UTIs, and the cycle continues. In addition, they are quite uncomfortable for your dog.
Imagine having a handful of rocks bouncing around in your bladder. It probably wouldn’t feel so good! Finally, a small bladder stone can also get stuck in the urethra. When this happens, your dog may be unable to urinate, which is a medical emergency.
How can you help prevent urinary tract infections in dogs?
As a proactive dog parent, you’ll be relieved to know that there are practical steps you can take to ensure your dog’s urinary health.
General care strategies for urinary health in dogs
- Provide your dog with an abundance of fresh water.
- Switch your dog to canned food, which has a higher water content than dry food. Or, you can add water to your dog’s dry food.
- Offer your dog plenty of potty breaks so he or she doesn’t have to “hold it.” If you work long hours and can’t get home on your lunch break, consider asking a friend or neighbor to let your dog out at midday. Or, send your dog to doggie daycare.
- Talk to your vet about whether a cranberry extract supplement like CranMate® is right for your dog.
Suggestions for female dogs
- If your dog isn’t tidy going potty, use an unscented, sensitive-skin baby wipe to help keep your dog wiped clean. This will help prevent fecal contamination, which as mentioned above, can cause a UTI. Just like we tell our kids to wipe front to back, in this case you want to wipe from bottom (vulva) to top (anus) and not the other way.
- Keep the area around the vulva clean and groomed. This will help reduce the chances of bacteria moving up into the urethra.
- If your dog has a recessed or hooded vulva, ask your vet if your dog is a candidate for an episioplasty (i.e. surgery to remove excess skin from around the vulva to correct anatomical abnormalities).
Be observant and proactive to help recognize early signs of a UTI in dogs
- Keep a “mental journal” (or even an actual journal) of your dog’s bathroom habits. By watching for changes, you’re more likely to recognize early signs of a UTI.
- If you think your dog may have a urinary tract infection, please don’t wait or wonder. Make an appointment with your veterinarian. Catching UTIs early can help prevent it from getting worse and turning into a more serious condition.
- On a related note, take your dog to your veterinarian for yearly physical exams. And if your dog is a senior (seven OR MORE years of age), your dog may benefit from more frequent visits—at least biannually. Sometimes a UTI is found through a routine screening test. Other times your vet may find a UTI based upon little clues in the history or physical exam.
- If your dog has predisposing factors such as a neurologic condition or one of the diseases on the list I shared earlier, be extra vigilant. The same goes for dogs taking a medication that may make a UTI more likely.
As an example of the importance of the part you can play as your dog’s biggest advocate, let’s meet Bailey. This sweet senior dog had both predisposing factors AND was taking medications that increased the likelihood of a UTI. Her story paints a clear picture of the importance of observation and how subtle a UTI can be.
Bailey’s story: Predisposing factors play a role in UTIs in dogs
Bailey, a massive black Newfy, was scheduled with me for acupuncture. She had recently become acutely paralyzed, most likely due to a fibrocartilaginous embolism (i.e. spinal stroke). I will never forget meeting her because Bailey’s owner pushed her into the office on a luggage cart like they have in the Marriott lobby. Unusual but brilliant.
Fortunately, with time and treatment, Bailey regained mobility. But her problems were not limited to her limbs.
She also had bladder involvement. The nerves that innervate the hind legs come from the same general area in the spine as the nerves that run to the colon and the bladder. This is why it’s not uncommon to see bladder involvement with hind limb nerve damage.
Caution flag #1: Bailey was not emptying her bladder normally
In Bailey’s case, she had an issue urinating normally. When her bladder was full, her owner had to express it. He did this by putting some pressure on the bladder to initiate the flow of urine. Bailey definitely wasn’t emptying fully nor emptying normally. Since as we established earlier, urinating helps “flush” the system, Bailey had an automatic caution flag for developing a UTI.
Caution flag #2: Bailey was taking prednisone
Second, Bailey had been prescribed prednisone, which decreased her ability to fight infection. Taking prednisone was another caution flag in her predisposition to develop a urinary tract infection.
Why? One of the side effects of prednisone is that it decreases the body’s immune system. So while the prednisone and acupuncture significantly improved Bailey’s mobility, her chances of developing an infection were higher than that of the average dog.
Why UTI screening may be necessary before a dog shows symptoms
While Bailey wasn’t yet showing any symptoms of a urinary tract infection, she did have two “caution flags” that were not in her favor. I suggested to my client that he take a urine sample to his regular vet just as a preemptive measure—to make sure that a UTI wasn’t brewing.
Two weeks passed and Bailey’s dad hadn’t noticed any obvious UTI symptoms. Without physical changes, it was hard for the client to have the motivation or a sense of urgency to have Bailey checked. He didn’t.
Urinating in the house: A classic sign of a UTI
However, several weeks later, Bailey started urinating in the house. She was both leaking urine and having accidents. The client saw the physical evidence and took it seriously.
He drove Bailey to his regular vet for testing. She was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. With antibiotics for her UTI, Bailey was feeling better quickly.
In sharing Bailey’s story, my hope is that if your dog has predisposing factors that increase the likelihood of a UTI, you will speak with your vet and consider periodic urinalysis checks for good measure.
Your veterinarian is an excellent resource and will appreciate that you’re looking out for your dog’s best interests by making early detection a priority.
Early detection + proactive pet parent + vet = The best care
By now, you’ve probably found a recurring theme running through this article. Through early detection, partnering with your veterinarian, and being a proactive pet parent, your dog has the best chance for the happiest outcome possible.
My last example of how a UTI manifests in dogs focuses on a sweet senior male dog named Chance, a proactive pet parent, and quick veterinary care.
Chance’s UTI story: The Vigilant Owner = The Happy Ending
While boarding at a dog kennel, Chance got very sick near the end of his stay. His mom rushed home to pick him up, and poor Chance had a fever of 104 degrees.
His mom rushed him to the emergency vet hospital where he was diagnosed with pyelonephritis. (The same condition as Penny in the previous story.)
Fortunately, Chance recovered fully, but only after an expensive and extensive stay at the veterinary referral center.
In cases like Chance’s, the early signs of urinary tract infection can go undetected. But a UTI was sneaking up on him none the less. By the time the more obvious signs cropped up, it was critical that he receive veterinary care. Quick thinking from proactive pet parents like Chance’s can make the difference.
Sneaky UTIs are no match for informed pet parents
In conclusion, I believe in you. You know your dog better than anyone else. And with this information on the sneaky ways of UTIs, you’re prepped to help your dog live the happiest, healthiest life possible.
If you sense any abnormality in your dog, and certainly anything related to the urinary tract, please call your veterinarian. Like all medical issues, the sooner it is diagnosed, the easier, cheaper, safer, and faster it can be resolved. And ultimately, that is the very best thing for our dogs.
What questions do you have about UTIs in dogs?
Please comment below. We can all learn from each other.
Our 14 yr. old Bella has a UTI. We began meds. yesterday. I was wondering could the infection be what has been making her sleep more & not wanting to eat.
Hi Linda,
I understand your concern for Bella and these worrisome symptoms you have noticed. Without examining your dog myself, there is no way for me to make specific conclusions. The symptoms you describe are common to MANY conditions. How is Bella feeling today since starting her medications? If you aren’t seeing the improvement you expected, please reach out to your vet and let them know. They may need to do some more testing to rule out other issues. Hoping for a positive outcome for your senior girl!
Hi there, I have a 5 year old male standard Dachshund, called Lennie. He is know for drinking lots of water and taking a long time emptying his bladder – but it’s always just seemed in relation to the amount of water. However, recently he sat beside me and was whining and then just peed beside me. He has had other ‘accidents’ and then one morning, when I went to get him up, he had peed in his crate! We took him to the vet, they tested his urine and there was no infection. They suggested he might have had an infection and is now over it. Unfortunately, he is still occasionally leaving small puddles – this is unusual behaviour and I’m worried. Otherwise, he’s eating well … any ideas?
Many thanks,
Audrey
Hi Audrey,
I understand your concern for Lennie and these urinary issues he is dealing with. Unfortunately, without examining him myself, there are just too many possibilities to give you specific recommendations. I am glad there was no sign of an infection on his urinalysis. Has he had any lab work to check for possible endocrine disorders like Cushing’s disease? He may need some x-rays to rule out the possibility of bladder stones. You can always ask for a referral to a specialist if you need an expert or second opinion. In situations like this, I always think there needs to be some more investigation. I hope you can find some answers and figure out the best way to resolve these problems for Lennie. Wishing you both the best!
Hi,
I have a female Goldendoodle that had a UTI the first time I took her to the vet. She noticed that she had extra skin over her vulva but wanted to wait to see if she grew out of it as she grew. She unfortunately didn’t and had 3 UTI’s in that time so she had a Episioplasty at the same time she was spayed. That was last March. She started not eating normally two days ago and I can now smell she’s been having accidents on the carpet rug in the living room.
Ever since her surgery I’ve noticed she has to pee more often than any other dog I’ve had and it’s rare when she pees for a normal amount of time. It’s usually pretty quick like she doesn’t have much in there. Is it normal for her to get another UTI after that surgery? I’m going to call her vet in the morning but is there anything I can do for her tonight to help feel a little more comfortable? I feel horrible because I have no idea how long this one has been going on. She hasn’t been licking down there, she’s been drinking water, but everything just now clicked when she wouldn’t even eat a treat and I walked by the living room and smelled something that’s stronger than urine. I don’t know how to describe it. I just want to make her as comfortable as I can tonight until I can get her into her vet.
Hi Carrie,
You are right to be concerned about these UTI-like symptoms in your Goldendoodle. The Episioplasty is not a 100% guarantee that your dog will never have a UTI again, but it should reduce the risk and frequency of future issues. I am also concerned about her decrease in appetite and the frequent urination you have noticed ever since the surgery. I do think you should contact your vet right away. Were you able to take her in for an exam? It might be a good idea to have her evaluated by a specialist if urinary issues are still causing problems. I hope you have been able to get some answers and find a treatment to resolve these worrisome symptoms. Wishing you both the best and feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
My 19mth old English Cream Golden Retriever was diagnosed with anUTI and she is on antibiotics, also her PH levels are high. I have read that Apple cider vinegar cans help, what is your opinion.
Hi Anne,
There are many people that swear by Apple Cider vinegar and say that it has been extremely helpful for their dogs. Unfortunately, this has not been proven with scientific studies and experiments. So, the bottom line is we really don’t know for sure. It is non-toxic, so it shouldn’t cause a problem it just also might not have an added benefit. As long as the infection is uncomplicated, the antibiotic should clear it relatively quickly. Once the infection has been resolved, the pH should also return to normal. I hope your girl will have a speedy recovery and this does not become a chronic issue. Best wishes to you both!
My dog seemed fine when I walked her this morning, if I work for too long she vomits on occasions, I walked again around 2pm she seemed fine til her legged was wobbly? I thought maybe the weather is too hot so we came back home, she started acting a bit odd when we came back home but then she fell asleep, I walked again around 6pm and I noticed she peeid blood? Her energy was normal she was walking and running normally but i noticed the blood, I took her home gave her a shower and something came of her vagina? I think it was poop stuck in her parts… Now she seems normal, but I think this must be a UTI due to her poop stuck in her parts for idk how long 😭 I took her to the groomer recently but her hair seems to get longer in her butt area… One time I noticed before she had poop stuck in her vagina but caught it on time… This time I’m late 😭 I’m gonna take her to the vet to see what they say
Hi J M,
You are right to be concerned about the blood you noticed in your dog’s urine. I am glad you are planning a visit to your vet. I hope you were able to get some answers and find a treatment that resolved the issue. Try not to let guilt be a burden. You are making the best decisions you can for your sweet girl. Is everything ok now?
My puppy was diagnosed with a UTI should I take her on a 2hr drive to a place she’s only been to once? UTI and some stress probably. I probably know already but need reinforcement
Thanks in advance
Hi Vera,
I am not sure I completely understand your question. Are you worried about the stress of being in an unfamiliar place causing the UTI to become more severe? While extreme stress can lower the response of the immune system, I would not think that a car ride to a new place would be in that category. That is to say, unless your puppy has a severe phobia of being in the car. Also, if the UTI is being treated with an antibiotic, the infection should respond appropriately and resolve. If you have any lingering doubts about the safety of your puppy on this trip, I highly recommend you consult your vet. They can let you know if the trip should be avoided.
My 13 1/2 year old chocolate lab has common UTI’s. He just got treatment for a UTI 3 weeks ago. This morning, Nash woke me up by his shaking. When I turned on the light in the bedroom, Nash was in a state of delirium. He acted as if he had no idea where he was. When I tried to get Nash off the bed, I realized he cannot walk. Is this a sign of a severe UTI? I am waiting for the Dr to call me, but this is my emotional state of impatience kicking in.
Hi Mary,
I hope you were able to talk to your vet and get medical care for your pup. The symptoms you are describing definitely do not sound like what would be expected with a UTI. If you haven’t had your dog examined, I recommend you get him to your vet as soon as possible! Praying he is ok, and you have found some answers.
Thank you for this great information. I am in the midst of attempting to figure out what exactly the issue is for my 5 yo female English Lab Grace. Since the age of 2 she has intermittent incontinent episodes. She is always treated empirically for UTI and it is effective. Concerned for the number of times this keeps happening I took her to a Vet school Internal medicine program for assessment. They put her on hormones in case that was the issue but also found that her vulva was not properly formed. The hormones did not work but I have been unable to connect with them the past two weeks due to the school’s vacation over the holiday. Today I took a urine sample in to her regular vet but when I asked them to run a C&S they said it won’t work with a clean catch. If the problem is bacteria in the urethra, continued needle catches will continue to show nothing with the condition left untreated. How do we know if bacteria in the urethra is the issue? I am fine having her have surgery but am concerned about continually; 3-4 times per year, on antibiotics. Hope this makes sense and thank you.
Hi Vicki,
I am sorry Grace is having so much trouble with these recurrent incontinent episodes. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to feel like you are running in circles and getting nowhere with a treatment. I feel like you are on the right track with wanting to have a C&S performed. Bacteria are normally present in the vulva and urethra. The problem occurs when the bacteria ascend up the urethra and into the bladder. This is why your vet recommended getting a urine sample via cystocentesis to use for the C&S. You want to know what bacteria is actually living in the bladder causing the symptoms instead of possibly culturing a bacterium that is only a contaminate from the skin or vulva. So, we aren’t worried about bacteria in the urethra, only bacteria in the bladder or further up the urinary tract. Hopefully you and your vet can get the ball rolling on a C&S while you wait for the veterinary school internal medicine program to open back up from the holidays. Maybe Grace, would benefit from surgery to correct her underdeveloped vulva. Some dogs have the surgical procedure performed and then never suffer with UTI’s or incontinence again. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for and can help Grace live her life to the fullest. Best wishes to you both. Keep us updated!
My cute little toy poodle Ginger Rogers is licking her private and seems distressed as she will quickly go after it! She seems uncomfortable laying down changing positions frequently and when I hold her she wiggles to get confortable. She has been fixed at about 1 year old she will be 3. She cannot eat people food gets bloody stool as she’s on Royal Canin Gastrointestinal she got a hold of some people food . I had a sonogram recently and she the diagnosis was pancreatitis and interitis . She is very uncomfortable and I’m very worried maybe UTI or worse! She tries hard and acts well at times! I’m so scared!
Tonight she woke me up at 2:30 I took her out tried to get pee sample and she threw up a little. I waited a while and she seemed better gave a little tip of tsp of yogurt plain no fat she loved it! Then perked up and was very hungry so gave her four tiny tip if teaspoon gastro wet dog food and added a little water to bowl. She’s not drinking much.
She’s sleeping now in a weird position right next to me! Sometimes lately outside she’ll walk a few steps and quickly just sit in front of me and look at me! I’m heartbroken. She is also doing some humping on my arm at times. I was also wondering if the vet who neutered her may have missed something?
Thank you for any advice! Planning to go to vet when it opens.
Hi Diane,
I’m glad to hear that you are making a vet appointment to get to the bottom of Ginger Rogers’ symptoms. It definitely sounds like there is something bothering her, but without examining her it is hard to say what it is exactly. I hope that you were able to find some answers and get some relief for your sweet girl!
I enjoy your articles so much! I have a senior girl who had a blockage from bladder stones a couple of years ago. Thankfully, we were referred to an excellent specialist who was able to remove all stones and she recovered really well. She is on Prednisone for a couple of immune mediated diseases, so I am very diligent about watching for any suspicious behavior. I am so glad you mentioned the baby wipes. I started that right after her surgery. I wasn’t told to do so by the vet, but I thought, “What can it hurt?” Due to her arthritis, she has a hard time cleaning herself, so now I do it for her! She also takes CranMate daily. So far, fingers crossed, she is doing great! Thanks again for all the interesting and informing articles. I can relate to many of them!
Hi Jenny,
Thank you for your kind words! I am so glad that the articles have been helpful to you and that your sweet senior girl is doing so well after her bladder stone surgery! It sounds like you are doing a great job taking excellent care of her. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for such a well written and clear article. My question is about my 3 year old female poodle mix. She has always (from an 8 week old puppy) cleaned’ herself after urinating (unless we’re on a walk, then she just carries on until we get home), and she has a light coat which has slight staining from her saliva (it’s at the corners of her mouth and her vulva). I see these are the first 2 symptoms in your list. But she shows none of the other symptoms and has fresh filtered drinking water constantly available. She gets a CBC and wellness exam every 6 months, which hasn’t shown anything abnormal, but not had a urinalysis. Should I be concerned? Thank you again for all your great articles.
Hi Deborah,
This is an excellent question! If your poodle mix has always cleaned herself after urinating then I would probably not be as concerned as if she had just recently started to do that. However, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to ask for a urinalysis at her next wellness appointment (or sooner if you notice any other changes) just to be on the safe side. Hopefully this is just her being fastidious about her hygiene but it would be good to know for sure that she doesn’t have a hidden UTI or some very mild incontinence issues that cause her want to clean up the few extra drips of urine that leak out after she is done urinating. Great job being so observant and proactive about her health!
Hi!
My dog has started to urinating inside at NIGHT time only and I couldn’t understand why. Then I noticed his urine is very smelly, more than usual.. So I looked online and saw a few articles regarding bladder infection. I took my dog to the vet with a urine sample and they look with the microscope but couldn’t see anything. I am going back on Monday for my dog to get a sample with the needle in the bladder. I am not a vet but I do think that he’s got something as he has been potty trained for month now and everything was going well he could hold at night for 10h. Now he can’t even hold at night for 2-3h. I hope they’ll find something 🙁
Hi Margaux,
It can definitely be worrisome when a previously house trained dog can’t hold his urine for more than a few hours. It sounds like your vet is doing a good job with the workup, and I would agree that getting a fresh, sterile sample straight from the bladder with a needle (i.e. cystocentesis) makes sense as the next step. I hope that they are able to find some answers for your pup!
Hello,my dog Yogi had blood in his urine and we took him to the vet to run tests. The UA came back negative for bacteria and the ultrasound showed some small calculi, but no stones or tumors. We put him on antibiotics still and it cleared up within a day. I’m wondering if perhaps the infection was in the urethra since the urine sample was taken from his bladder, not free catch. Is that possible? Im trying to figure out what it may be because in the ultrasound they noticed thickening of the bladder wall so we did a BRAF test as well to check for cancer which came back negative. Are there other tests that I should look into or if it’s most likely to have been an infection in the urethra and that’s why the UA didn’t show infection?
Thanks!
Margaret
Hi Margaret,
I am glad your dog’s urinary issues resolved quickly once an antibiotic was started. What a blessing the screening tests were negative for cancer and stones. Obtaining a urine sample via cystocentesis (needle aspirate into the bladder) is the gold standard when looking for bacteria. If there are bacteria in the urethra, then there are also bacteria in the bladder. The thickened bladder walls on ultrasound confirm the bladder is where the blood is coming from and where the most active inflammation is located. Bacteria doesn’t have to be present to cause infection like symptoms. Inflammation by itself can cause these exact issues (this is called a sterile cystitis). Crystals or calculi can also cause issues since they are very irritating to the bladder lining. My guess is the antibiotic probably also had anti-inflammatory properties which helped to quickly resolve your dog’s symptoms. If you are worried about this happening again in the future or want more details, it may be a good idea to schedule a consult with a specialist. There are also many options for prescription urinary diets to help prevent calculi from forming and make sure the urine pH is optimal to prevent infections. I hope Yogi is doing well and living his best life. Wishing you both the best of luck!
I have a female Catahoula leopard whose 8/9 year old. she started squatting more outside when she pees and this started around 4 or 5 months ago. our vet said she has uti so he put her on antibiotics for a week. she still squats but playing and act normal as usual. about a month ago I noticed spots of pinkish when I wipe her after her bathroom and made an appt with the vet. he said she has uti again and put her on antibiotics for 2 weeks. she finished her round came back and he said there was still high wbc so he changed her antibiotics. she refuse to eat her dinner knowing there’s meds. and I noticed she’s not eating her usual hard snacks anymore. so I decided to take her to a different vet for a 2nd opinion. they did an x ray and did her urine analysis again. nothing on her xray beside osteoarthritis in one hip. and her urine came back clean with slightly elevated protein but no high wbc. he said he noticed some slug in her urine. he recommended ultrasound which is schedule and change her antibiotics. occasionally she would be panting and has been attached to me. a tad aggressive and tired out faster I have an unneuter dog that keeps sniffing her and near her vagina part. she is already spayed years ago. what do you think is happening?
Hi DA,
I understand your concern over these recurring urinary issues in your Catahoula girl. I think the recommendation to do ultrasound sounds like a great idea. Without examining your pup, myself, I can’t make specific conclusions, but is sounds like your vet is on the right track and doing everything they can to get some answers. Your male dog may be picking up on the scent of trace amounts of blood in the urine from your female. His interest in sniffing her vulva may have nothing to do with her reproductive status. If there is any concern she is actually showing signs of “heat”, there is a blood test your vet can send out to check for the presence of estrogen. Although rare, it is possible for a tiny remnant/piece of an ovary to be left behind after a dog is spayed. When this happens, it is possible for the ovarian remnant to regain blood flow and start producing hormones which can make the dog have “heat cycles”. Since the uterus was removed, there is no chance for a pregnancy to occur, but the behavioral aspect and hormone related changes will still happen as if she was never spayed. I doubt this is the case with your dog, but it is definitely something to discuss with your vet. Has the ultrasound been performed? I am curious to know if you have found any answers. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Best wishes and good luck!
How long does it take to get the urine test results back usually? I noticed blood in my dogs urine this morning and dropped off a sample at the vet 2 hours later. Can dogs wait days for results? She is eating and drinking and seems normal expect for the blood. Shes 12.
Dear Bridgette,
Sorry to hear your dog is having some blood in her urine. The turnaround time for urine tests can vary depending on the type of test and whether it can be run at the clinic or needs to be sent to a reference lab. Some times you will have results the same day, other times it may be a few days or even a week or so (in the case of a urine culture). The best way for you to find out when to expect results would be to call your vet clinic since they know what test(s) they are doing and where they are run. An uncomplicated urinary tract infection may be uncomfortable for your dog but typically not life-threatening, so in answer to your question, yes dogs can generally wait a few days for results if necessary. However, I can’t examine your dog so I can’t really say for sure if she falls into that category. If you have concerns, definitely talk to your vet sooner rather than later. I hope you get to the bottom of her bloody urine easily and she is on the mend soon!❤
I have a senior toy poodles, Toodles, and she is experiencing UTI issues, in conjunction with arthritis in her back. I took her to her regular vet and after a round of antibiotics and a Urinary Culture that came back negative, the vet told me she was senile….BUT meanwhile, she is going in and out the dog door almost continually to go pee without any results. I decided it was time for a second opinion! I took her to my aunt vet and I’m glad I did! The vet and I are trying a different antibiotic for the UTI and Gabapentin for her back pain. The UTI doesn’t seem to be any better so I am discussing this with the Vet again today. My question is this: Since the 1st culture came back negative, could what we ‘think’ is a UTI actually be pain from the arthritis instead??? If so, what would be your recommendation on how to start treating for QUICK help for my Toodles?
Hi Vickie,
So sorry to hear about the difficulty Toodles is having with her arthritis and possible UTI. I am glad that you had a recheck for her today and hope you were able to work together with the vet to find a concrete plan for Toodles moving forward. Without being able to examine her and look at the results of her diagnostic tests, I can’t really give you any concrete answers about why she is having such a frequent urge to urinate. Arthritis can sometimes make it difficult for pets to posture to urinate or defecate or cause anxiety due the pain component, but I don’t know that that fully explains what you are seeing. It is possible you might have to keep seeking an answer with follow up diagnostics if suggested by your vet (such as blood work or x-rays) or seek a third opinion from a vet who can examine her and look at what has already been tried with fresh eyes. In terms of the arthritis component, there are so many options for medications, supplements and environmental modifications that may help, but there often isn’t one quick fix. If you haven’t already, I would recommend asking your vet if he or she thinks Toodles needs additional pain medication that can be used in conjunction with the gabapentin and thinking about starting her on a joint supplement such as Encore Mobility. Here are a few articles that might also help:
How to Relieve Arthritis Pain in Dogs: The Ultimate Guide
8 Ways to Help a Senior Dog with Arthritis at Home,
Do Joint Supplements for Dogs Work? A Vet Oughta Know….
I hope you are able to find some solutions for your Toodles! ❤
Hi, I have a 13 yr old female black lab (Belle). This past year she suffered through passing a kidney stone that went undetected despite the X-rays, ultrasound, blood work and other tests etc. Thankfully it passed and she seemed to get better. Unfortunately during all of the testing it was discovered that she has metastatic carcinoma and is now on prednisone for comfort. My reason for reaching out is she now seems to have bacteria, rods, blood and in the latest UA kidney cells. We’ve had her on 4 different antibiotics and nothing seems to help. The vet will be sending for a c&s this week and feeling hopeful they find an antibiotic that works. In the meantime I’m at a loss at what to do for her. She seems to me that she’d be great if she could just get rid of this discomfort. Is there a test that we’re missing or something that stands out to you that you’d recommend testing? Thanks in advance, I enjoyed reading everyone’s stories followed up with your medical knowledge.
Warm regards
Julie
Hi Julie,
I am so sorry Belle has received a cancer diagnosis and is also battling urinary issues. The culture and sensitivity testing is definitely the best way to go. The lab will identify the specific strains of bacteria that are present in your dog’s urine and test them against every class of antibiotic. The results will let you know which antibiotics are effective against these bacteria and which they are resistant to. Without this information you would have to keep trying different medications and wait to see if they work or not. I am confident these results will be a game changer and help guide the treatment process for your girl. If at any point you want more information or an expert opinion, don’t hesitate to request a consult with an internal medicine specialist. Wishing you both the best of luck!