UTIs in puppies: how to recognize signs and what to do next

Urinary tract infections in puppies occur most commonly when disease-causing bacteria enter the bladder and become established there. Common symptoms include frequent urination, blood in the urine, painful urination, and straining to urinate. In addition, a puppy with a UTI may have accidents in the home. The symptoms that occur with a UTI also occur with other conditions in puppies, so an accurate diagnosis is needed for treatment. If you have a puppy, read on to learn:

• Common puppy UTI symptoms to be aware of
• How vets diagnose and treat puppy UTIs
• When a UTI is an emergency in puppies

Veterinary care is needed to properly diagnose and treat a puppy’s UTI. Delaying proper treatment prolongs the puppy’s discomfort and can allow the infection to worsen, potentially leading to a life-threatening kidney infection.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a medical condition in which an infectious agent, usually bacteria, enters the urinary tract and becomes established there, causing inflammation and other symptoms. Bacterial infections can develop in any part of the urinary tract, but bladder infections, or bacterial cystitis, are the most common.

How common are UTIs in puppies?

Bladder infections are very common in dogs, including puppies. Infections affecting other parts of the urinary system, such as the kidneys, ureters, and urethra, are less common. UTIs are more common in female dogs than males because females have a shorter urethra, which allows harmful bacteria to reach the bladder more easily.

Urinary tract infections in dogs can be painful and cause various symptoms. Bladder infection symptoms in puppies include:

• Frequent urination, often in small amounts
• Accidents in the house
• Blood in urine
• Dribbling urine
• Straining to urinate
• Foul- or strong-smelling urine
• Dark urine
• Painful urination or crying while urinating
• Excessively licking the genitals
• Wet or matted fur around the groin

Not all puppies will have every symptom. Accidents in the house and urinary incontinence may occur when a puppy has a UTI because of a puppy’s limited bladder control, bladder inflammation, and an increased frequency of urination. Other urinary tract issues have similar symptoms, so it’s important to talk to a vet for an accurate diagnosis before attempting to treat a puppy’s symptoms.

After a physical exam and discussion of your puppy’s symptoms, a urinalysis is usually the first test. Any additional tests may include:

• Urine culture
• Blood work
• Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasounds

Urinalysis can show signs of bladder infections, such as bacteria and red or white blood cells. A urine culture may be recommended to determine what kind of bacteria is causing the infection. Other diagnostic tests may be recommended to rule out other urinary tract diseases that cause similar symptoms or that increase a puppy’s risk for developing UTIs. Different urinary conditions are treated differently, so an accurate diagnosis is necessary for determining an effective treatment plan.

Is a puppy UTI a medical emergency?

Puppies showing urinary symptoms need veterinary care as quickly as possible, but UTIs are generally not emergencies. Prompt treatment for bladder infections relieves a puppy’s unpleasant symptoms and prevents the infection from getting worse or spreading to the kidneys. Kidney infections in puppies are rare but can be deadly.

It is an emergency if a puppy cannot urinate or is straining unproductively due to an obstruction in the urinary tract. Since straining and producing small amounts of urine are common in puppies with UTIs, it can be difficult to know if a puppy is obstructed or not. It’s best to seek medical care right away if you are unsure your puppy is producing urine.

Most UTIs are bacterial infections in the bladder and are treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic may change mid-treatment if urine culture results show that a different medication can better target the bacteria causing the infection. Symptomatic treatments such as pain medication may also be recommended depending on the puppy’s symptoms. It’s important to finish the entire course of antibiotics, even if the puppy’s symptoms go away quickly. Not finishing a course of antibiotics can result in antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are more difficult to treat. A vet may recommend repeat urine tests to ensure the infection has been properly treated.

“It’s important to talk to a veterinarian if your puppy develops symptoms like frequent straining or passing only tiny amounts of urine,” states Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “Attempting to treat your puppy’s symptoms at home before visiting a vet delays appropriate care, which includes diagnostic testing. An accurate diagnosis is necessary in order to determine how to treat the puppy, and delaying care while trying home remedies increases the likelihood of complications.” While cranberry and other urinary health supplements are readily available over the counter, there is limited scientific data to support that they help treat UTIs. Never use human medications or “leftover” antibiotics from another pet in an attempt to treat your puppy. Antibiotic dosages can be very different for puppies compared to adult dogs, and may not target the right bacteria. Human medications can be dangerous for dogs.

UTIs occur when bacteria, usually E. coli from the digestive tract, enter the urinary tract and become established there. The urinary tract is constantly exposed to disease-causing bacteria, but when it’s healthy it prevents an infection from developing. Some congenital anatomic abnormalities interfere with the normal passage of urine in puppies and can increase the risk of UTIs, such as:

• Ectopic ureters
• Urachal remnants
• Hypospadias
• Fistulas around the genitals (urethrorectal or rectovaginal fistulas)

These abnormalities are uncommon to rare in puppies, depending on the condition. If a puppy gets recurring infections, a veterinarian may suggest diagnostic testing for an underlying condition contributing to the repeated bladder infections.

If a puppy is showing common symptoms of a bladder infection, it’s important to talk to a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis. Do not delay proper care by attempting to treat a puppy’s symptoms at home with supplements or other home remedies, and never use antibiotics that were not prescribed by a vet for your puppy.

UTIs in puppies can be painful and lead to accidents in the house. Proper treatment from a vet is needed to alleviate these symptoms and treat the bacterial infection. Untreated infections can worsen and spread to the kidneys, causing a potentially life-threatening kidney infection. If your puppy is showing signs of a urinary tract infection, you can schedule a virtual vet appointment at any time to talk to an expert for advice.

It is impossible to know whether a puppy’s urinary symptoms are caused by a UTI or a different urinary health condition without diagnostic testing, so a trip to the vet is necessary. Common symptoms of UTIs and other urinary issues include frequently needing to urinate, bloody urine, painful urination, and straining to urinate.

Is a UTI in a puppy an emergency?

A UTI is generally not an emergency in puppies. Similar symptoms can occur with other urinary diseases that may be emergencies, so don’t delay getting veterinary care if you think your puppy might have a UTI. It is an emergency if a puppy cannot urinate or is straining unproductively. UTIs should be treated promptly to accurately diagnose the UTI, relieve symptoms, and prevent the infection from getting worse.

How do you treat a UTI in a puppy?

Most UTIs in puppies are bacterial infections, so they are treated with antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian. Puppies with all types of urinary conditions show similar symptoms, so it’s important to see a vet to get an accurate diagnosis before treating your puppy. Never use human medications or “leftover” antibiotics in an attempt to treat your puppy. This can be very dangerous and may not target the bacteria causing the infection, allowing it to get worse. Supplements and natural treatments have little scientific evidence to support their ability to treat UTIs in puppies.