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No matter how meticulous and clean you are, if you’ve been breeding for a while, you’ve probably had a parent (or two or three) call to inquire about puppy urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Like children, puppies can develop a number of conditions that require attention but are not necessarily life-threatening. One of those is UTIs.
UTIs are common in puppies. They can affect either sex, but are about four to one more common in females.
Frequent urination and incomplete bladder voiding are signs. Puppy urination is frequent, so don’t let that alone cause you to worry. However, if your puppy is having trouble housebreaking and squatting three to four times for each potty break while only peeing a little bit each time, that would be a good reason to visit the veterinarian.
UTIs make housebreaking less successful and are very uncomfortable for puppies. Untreated, they can progress to bladder infections. Often, it takes several courses of antibiotics to get rid of them. If your dog develops a UTI and requires antibiotics, don’t wait to call the veterinarian again if you notice any signs of a return. Since UTIs can be resistant to some antibiotics, ask the veterinarian to perform a culture and sensitivity test. In order to prevent contaminating the urine sample with anything from your puppy’s external genitalia, make sure the urine sample is taken using a “clean catch.”
Puppies are frequently exposed to filthy conditions because they frequently live in groups, give birth in litters, and are not yet housebroken when they live as single dogs in homes. Due to their immature immune systems, puppies are less able to fight off infections than adults are. These are all factors that raise the prevalence of UTIs in puppies.
UTIs are bacterial infections. They are brought on by bacteria that, after being exposed to the genitalia, infect the urinary tract. UTIs are not directly caused by food. Although some types of bladder stones frequently come with infections, bladder stones can be caused by food and are not the same as UTIs.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections in Puppies
Each puppy may exhibit different signs of a UTI, if any. But just like a UTI in a person, the infection hurts your puppy, and you’ll probably notice it when he tries to go potty. Other symptoms can include:
Your puppy should be taken to the doctor for a proper diagnosis if any of these symptoms are present in him.
Although your puppy’s urinary tract infection hurts and is uncomfortable, it is typically not life-threatening. However, misdiagnosis can hinder housebreaking and cause uncontrollable accidents for the puppy.
Rarely, a UTI might also be a symptom of an underlying condition like canine Cushing’s disease, bladder stones, canine kidney failure, canine diabetes, or even bladder cancer. A UTI can also permanently harm your puppy’s kidneys if it is not treated. So it’s crucial to have your puppy examined and properly diagnosed by a veterinarian.
Your veterinarian will conduct a urinalysis to check for an infection and assess kidney function in order to identify a UTI. To identify the type of infection and rule out other health issues, additional diagnostic procedures like a culture or bloodwork may also be carried out. Additionally, your puppy’s x-rays may be ordered by your veterinarian to check for stones or other abnormalities in the bladder or urinary tract.
The precise course of treatment will depend on your puppy’s unique circumstances, but it almost certainly entails taking antibiotics to get rid of the body’s bacteria. Additionally, fluid therapy may be suggested by your veterinarian to aid in kidney and urinary tract cleansing. Additionally, if your puppy seems to be in a lot of pain, the veterinarian may suggest painkillers to help. There may be a need for surgery to remove bladder stones.
It’s crucial to precisely adhere to your veterinarian’s instructions when giving your puppy antibiotics. Even if your puppy seems to be feeling better, do not stop the antibiotics until instructed. The UTI may return if the round of antibiotics is not finished.
Prevention is always preferable to treatment, as is true for the majority of medical conditions. Although there is no surefire way to prevent puppy urinary tract infections, you can try some of the following things to lessen your risk:
Dog UTI Prevention: At-Home Options
Although there is no surefire way to prevent UTIs in dogs, there are some things you can do at home to lessen your risk. For instance:
Additionally crucial is a yearly examination to keep your dog healthy and prevent problems like UTIs
The information in this article is provided solely for educational and informational purposes and is not intended to replace or act as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
What Causes Urinary Tract Issues in Dogs?
Almost all dog urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, which are normally present on the skin or in a dogs poop. Typically, problems start when the bacteria move up through the genitals and spread into the bladder, kidneys, and prostate.
Bacteria irritate the urinary tract causing inflammation (swelling). Additionally, some bacteria can result in the formation of bladder stones.
Any dog can have a UTI, but Sharon Marx, DVM, medical director of VCA Animal Healing Center in Yardley, Penn., says some dogs are more likely to get them. Older female dogs and those who hold their urine for a long time are more susceptible. Your dog may also be at higher risk if he or she has:
FAQ
Are UTIs serious in puppies?
It’s best to visit the vet as soon as you can if you think your dog has an UTI. Because it can help prevent complications like kidney damage, early detection is essential. Additionally, UTIs can cause a lot of pain, and you don’t want your dog to endure unnecessary pain.
How common is it for puppies to get UTIs?
Your dog also endures excruciating pain from a dog urinary tract infection (UTI). Unfortunately, humans, cats, and dogs are all susceptible to these unpleasant bacterial infections; roughly one in three dogs will experience a UTI.
What causes a UTI in a puppy?
In most cases, E. coli is the bacterium that causes such infections. Cancer, bladder disease, kidney disease and stones, diabetes, bladder inflammation or infection, abnormalities of the spinal cord, and prostate disease are among the more severe but less frequent causes.
How do you treat UTIs in puppies?
In an effort to give the dog relief right away, a vet will frequently prescribe an antibiotic that is among the most widely used to treat UTIs. A change in diet may also be advised, and painkillers may also be prescribed (UTIs can be uncomfortable).