Editorial Note: We earn a fee from associate hyperlinks on Forbes Advisor. Commissions don’t have an effect on our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
If you’ve ever had a urinary tract an infection (UTI), you understand firsthand how painful and uncomfortable they are often. Unfortunately, UTIs aren’t restricted to people—our pets can get them, too.
In truth, in accordance with the Merck Veterinary Manual, a bacterial UTI is essentially the most generally seen infectious sickness in dogs. Fourteen % of dogs expertise a UTI at the least as soon as of their lifetime.
Here is what it’s worthwhile to find out about what causes UTIs in dogs, UTI signs to observe for, how canine UTIs are handled, and whether or not pet insurance coverage covers the cost of treating a UTI.
Is Your Dog Covered?
Get Peace of Mind With the Best Pet Insurance of 2023
What Are UTIs in Dogs?
A urinary tract an infection is an an infection affecting any a part of the urinary tract. This consists of the bladder, kidneys and urethra. In male dogs, it additionally consists of the prostate. UTIs in dogs are normally attributable to micro organism that comes into contact with the urethra and travels up into the bladder.
How Do Dogs Get UTIs?
Normally, the urinary tract is ready to defend itself in opposition to infections. Natural protection mechanisms embrace urine acidity, a powerful immune system and the bladder’s potential to slough its lining and take away bacterial cells. But a breakdown in any a part of this line of protection can enable micro organism to colonize and result in an infection.
UTIs in dogs usually happen when fecal matter or micro organism on the pores and skin comes into contact with the urethra. Although UTIs can happen in each female and male dogs, females are inclined to get them extra usually, probably as a result of the urethra on females is in nearer proximity to the anus than on male dogs.
“Dogs who have to hold their urine for a longer period of time than they are used to can develop a urinary tract infection as a result,” says Dr. Danielle Rutherford, V.M.D., affiliate veterinarian at Westside Veterinary Center in New York City. “Dogs who are not well groomed, who have dirt or matted fur around their genitals can also be prone to UTIs as bacteria from this debris can work its way up the urinary tract.”
Risk Factors of UTIs in Dogs
Other than being feminine, numerous elements can enhance a canine’s threat of creating a UTI, together with:
- Excessive pores and skin across the genitals
- Anatomical abnormalities
- Genetics
- Spinal twine accidents
- Stress
- Urinary incontinence
- Underlying well being circumstances
Frequent or power UTIs in dogs are probably attributable to an underlying sickness. Health circumstances that may trigger recurrent canine UTIs embrace:
- Bladder irritation
- Bladder or kidney stones or crystals
- Cancer
- Cushing’s illness
- Diabetes
- Enlarged prostate
Additionally, some breeds are extra susceptible to both creating UTIs, because of the extra pores and skin folds round their genitals, or urinary stones, which might in flip enhance the chance of UTIs. These embrace:
- Pugs
- English bulldogs
- French bulldogs
- Bichon frise
- Shih tzus
- Yorkshire terriers
Symptoms and Behaviors of Dogs With a UTI
When it involves a UTI in dogs, signs could or is probably not current. In the absence of typical UTI canine habits or indicators, UTIs are normally found within the means of inspecting the canine for different sicknesses. This could cause therapy to be delayed, which might result in extra critical well being problems.
Signs of UTI in a feminine canine, once they happen, are usually the identical as with a male canine. Signs and behaviors usually embrace:
- Cloudy urine
- Blood within the urine
- Straining to urinate
- Whimpering when urinating
- Indoor accidents
- Frequent urination
- Smaller quantities of urine
- Licking the genitals greater than typical
- Fishy or smelly urine
Less frequent signs that may point out a extra extreme UTI embrace:
- Fever
- Appetite loss
- Vomiting
These latter signs might point out that the an infection has reached the kidneys. In male dogs, it might point out a prostate an infection.
Conditions That Can Resemble a UTI
Dog UTI signs can be attributable to a number of extra critical well being circumstances, a few of which could possibly be life threatening. These embrace:
Complications of UTIs in Dogs
When you discover doable canine UTI signs, you must act rapidly to have your pet examined by a veterinarian and begin therapy. Without correct therapy, UTIs in dogs can result in critical well being problems that embrace:
- Kidney stones
- Bladder stones or crystals
- Lower urinary tract dysfunction
- Prostate irritation
- Infertility
- Blood poisoning
- Kidney an infection
- Kidney failure
Are UTIs Covered by Pet Insurance?
Some pet insurance coverage firms will reimburse bills related to diagnosing and treating UTIs in dogs. However, some pet insurance coverage suppliers classify UTIs as a pre-existing situation and received’t present protection in case your canine experiences a UTI inside a yr of getting been beforehand handled for one.
Whether or not your pet insurance coverage covers canine UTIs relies on your supplier and the particular particulars of your protection plan. If your canine is at excessive threat of creating a UTI, store round for a supplier that gives protection for this situation. And remember to evaluation the small print of your plan or speak to your supplier to find out whether or not you could have protection for canine UTIs.
What Are the Stages of a UTI in Dogs?
Urinary tract infections in dogs usually comply with this trajectory:
- Stage One: Bacteria—normally E. coli—comes into contact with the canine’s urethra and enters the urinary tract.
- Stage Two: The micro organism travels up the ureter to the bladder and different components of the urinary tract and colonizes.
- Stage Three: Dog UTI signs could or could not seem. Mild UTIs would possibly clear up on their very own, particularly in dogs with sturdy immune programs. Otherwise, if left untreated, the an infection can unfold and lead to well being problems.
How To Test for a UTI in Dogs
Because UTI signs in dogs might additionally point out a extra critical sickness, it’s necessary to have them examined by a veterinarian and never attempt to diagnose it by yourself. Your vet will do a radical examination to examine for any underlying circumstances that might have triggered the UTI, particularly in the event that they recur usually sufficient to warrant concern.
In addition to a bodily examination, diagnosing a canine UTI usually includes a urinalysis to examine the next:
- Urine focus ranges
- pH ranges
- Ketone ranges
- Glucose ranges
- Bilirubin ranges
- Protein ranges
- Whether blood or crystals are current
Depending on the findings, your vet might also carry out these checks:
- Urine tradition
- Blood checks
- Ultrasound
- X-ray
Treating a UTI in Dogs
Straightforward UTI circumstances in dogs are usually handled with antibiotics. Amoxicillin is the commonest type of therapy, and could be prescribed by the vet in both liquid or tablet type and given by the pet mum or dad at home. For dogs who don’t take oral medicine effectively, the vet can administer an antibiotic shot.
In addition to antibiotics, your canine will seemingly even be given ache medicine. Your vet may also suggest a probiotic complement to assist stop diarrhea and abdomen upset that is likely to be attributable to the antibiotic destroying wholesome micro organism within the intestine.
If your canine is discovered to have a extra difficult UTI or an underlying situation, therapy will deal with making an attempt to resolve the underlying concern in addition to treating the an infection. Depending on the complexity or underlying trigger, therapy may also embrace:
- Prescription pet food
- Repeat vet visits and labs
- Surgery
Treatment Costs for Dogs With a UTI
Costs of treating a canine urinary tract an infection will range primarily based on these elements:
- Location
- The vet or clinic offering the therapy
- Size and weight of the canine
- Severity or complexity of the UTI
- Whether there’s an underlying trigger
According to Great Pet Care, right here’s what you possibly can usually anticipate to pay for diagnosing and treating a canine UTI:
- Vet go to and examination: $45-$105
- Urinalysis: $75-$115
- Urine tradition: $170-$350
- Amoxicillin: $35-$75
- Pain medicine: $30-$75
- Probiotic dietary supplements: $15 and up
Additional types of therapy for extra complicated UTIs in dogs usually cost on common:
- Prescription pet food: $40-$100 per bag
- Corrective surgical procedure: $1,000-$3,000
- Veterinary follow-ups and rechecks: $50-$150 per go to
You may also incur further bills if an underlying situation is current. Additional therapy prices will rely upon the analysis and on what’s wanted to deal with the difficulty.
Preventing UTIs in Dogs
A lot of steps could be taken to assist stop UTIs in dogs.
“If your pet is not prone to these infections, keeping to a regular walking schedule and practicing good hygiene can help,” Rutherford says. “This can include things such as keeping hair trimmed to prevent urine and debris from accumulating in their fur, drying pets well after baths, and wiping females with baby wipes as needed to prevent debris from building up after urination.”
Additionally, you possibly can assist stop canine UTIs by doing the next:
- Provide access to recent, clear water
- Give your canine common potty breaks
- Avoid pet weight problems, which might deepen pores and skin folds across the genitals
- Don’t skip common veterinary checkups
- Treat well being circumstances that enhance the probability of UTIs
Are UTIs Common in Senior Dogs?
UTIs generally happen in dogs of any age, however they happen extra continuously in dogs who’re over the age of seven.
“Certain medical conditions which are more likely in senior dogs, including diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing’s disease as well as being on immunosuppressive medication can make older pets more prone to urinary tract infections,” Rutherford says. “These conditions can cause pets to have more watery urine which is not as good at killing bacteria.”
Senior dogs ought to get well being checkups twice a yr to examine for UTIs and different well being points that might trigger them to develop a UTI.
Featured Partner Offers
Maximum annual protection
$5,000, $10,000, Unlimited
Reimbursement decisions
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible decisions
$100, $250, $500
Maximum annual protection
$5,000, $10,000, Unlimited
Reimbursement decisions
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible decisions
$100, $250, $500
Maximum annual protection
$2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, Unlimited
Reimbursement decisions
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible decisions
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Bottom Line
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs are triggered when micro organism enters the urinary tract. Female dogs, senior dogs, and dogs with extra pores and skin are extra susceptible to UTIs, as are dogs with well being circumstances like diabetes or urinary stones. Symptoms embrace cloudy, bloody or smelly urine. Untreated UTIs could cause critical well being problems. If you watched a UTI in your canine, they need to go to the vet instantly for correct analysis and therapy.
Other Common Health Conditions in Dogs:
