This Golden Retriever Puppy Couldn’t Stop Peeing—The Hidden Danger of UTI in Dogs That Owners Often Miss
As dog owners, we can all agree that life would be easier if our canine friends could simply tell us in words when they aren’t feeling okay. But since this isn’t possible, it’s important to constantly pay close attention to any unusual changes in their behavior because, more often than not, these changes signal an underlying health issue, like a UTI in dogs, that needs urgent medical attention.
No one agrees with this more than one Golden Retriever puppy owner on TikTok, who, prior to finding out her pup had a urinary tract infection (UTI), noticed alarming behavioral changes. As posted on her TikTok account @ she.is.one.smart.cookie, the owner revealed her Golden puppy named Cookie often appeared tired and would urinate more frequently.
Watch the video below:
@she.is.one.smart.cookie Puppies, specially girls, can also have UTI’s / bladder infections! It’a really important to always be aware of the symptoms 🐶 #goldenretrieverlife #goldenretriever #goldenretrieversoftiktok #dogsoftiktok #puppylove #tiktokpuppies #goldenretrieverpuppy #goldenretrievers #cutemoments #goldenretrieverlove #golden #corememories #trainingpuppy ♬ WHY ARE PPL USING THIS SOUND – John Phillips
“My puppy was feeling more tired than usual, and I started to worry. Then realized that she couldn’t stop peeing & had UTI, just like us human girls,” reads the text layered over the clip.
Cookie’s owner urged other dog owners to be familiar with the warning signs of UTI in dogs so that their furry friends receive treatment sooner rather than later.
“Puppies, especially girls, can also have UTI/bladder infection! It’s really important to always beware of the symptoms,” she wrote in the caption.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) In Dogs: Everything You Need to Know
Urinary tract infections are pretty common in dogs, with research estimating that roughly 14% of dogs develop UTI at some point in their lifetime.
How do dogs get UTI? You may ask.
Well, similar to humans, a urinary tract infection in dogs is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. It occurs when harmful bacteria enter your pup’s bladder through the urethra and multiply while in there. This leads to ongoing discomfort and pain that will persist if your pup doesn’t receive veterinary care.
“A UTI in dogs can occur when bacteria travel up the urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body) and into the bladder. Urine in the bladder is sterile, but once bacteria find their way there, they can grow and reproduce, causing a UTI. Additionally, some dogs will develop bladder stones in conjunction with their UTI, which opens the door to additional health issues,” explain experts from The Vet Practice.
While there are different types of bacteria that can cause UTI in dogs, the most common is E. coli, which is often found in dog feces.
Both male and female dogs can contract UTI. However, female dogs are more prone to this bacterial infection due to their short urethras. How so? Well, their short urethras make it easier for the bacteria to reach the bladder and cause infection.
In addition, dogs with weakened immune systems — for instance, puppies and senior dogs — are at a higher risk of developing UTIs. Plus, there are certain conditions that make a dog susceptible to urinary tract problems. Conditions known to trigger dog UTIs include:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Cushing’s disease
- Diabetes
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Bladder stones
- Bladder cancer
Dog UTI Symptoms: 10 Common Signs of UTI in Dogs
As a dog owner, it’s essential to be familiar with the symptoms of UTI since the longer your pup goes without treatment, the higher the risks of severe pain and complications.
“Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs can cause discomfort and lead to complications if left untreated,” explain pet health experts at Bakson Veterinary in an Instagram post.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “How to tell if your dog has a UTI?” here are ten telltale signs to watch out for:
- Frequent urination of small amounts of pee
- Crying or straining while urinating
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive licking of their genital area
- Frequent potty accidents in the house (UTI affects your dog’s ability to hold urine as usual)
- Excessive thirst
- Strong-smelling urine
- Lethargy
- Fever
“So, I’ve already emailed my vet. It’s currently after midnight, and I will call first thing when they open to get her in. I’m about 99% sure our girl has a UTI. Lots of licking. Dribbling of pee. Constantly needing to go out and even having two accidents within 30 minutes of having just gone out, both of which had a little blood….Does anyone have any tips on things I can do to give her some comfort?” wrote user @tvanepps in a Reddit discussion on UTI in dogs.
Diagnosis of UTI in Dogs
Usually, a urinalysis is the first step in diagnosing UTIs in dogs. Your vet will perform a urinalysis to check for bacteria, crystals, excess protein, and excess white and red blood cells in your dog’s urine, all of which indicate a urinary tract infection.
However, for more accurate results — including determining the exact type of bacteria responsible for the UTI — a urine culture test is often conducted.
“If your dog presents to the clinic with urinary signs, your vet will recommend performing a urinalysis. This test reveals important information about the urine. This urine is assessed under a microscope to check for the presence of red and white blood cells, along with bacteria and possible crystals. Pending the results of this assessment, further testing may be recommended in the form of culture and sensitivity tests,” explain experts at The Vet Practice.
Treatment of UTI in Dogs
Generally, dogs with UTIs are treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotics prescribed by the vet will largely depend on the type of bacteria behind your dog’s UTI. Your vet may also prescribe pain medication to address the pain that comes with UTI.
For the infection to clear up completely, it’s crucial to adhere to your vet’s instructions regarding how much (and how often) you should give your pup the antibiotics. Moreover, you should never discontinue the prescribed medication without your vet’s guidance, even if your pup shows signs of improvement.
It’s also not advisable to treat your dog’s UTI with over-the-counter medication, particularly if your vet hasn’t advised you to do so.
The recovery period of UTI varies from dog to dog; it largely depends on the severity of the infection. If your dog’s infection recurs, your vet may conduct additional tests to rule out whether there’s an underlying health issue besides the UTI.
Natural Remedies for UTI in Dogs
There’s a lot of chatter online about different home remedies for dog UTI, the common being cranberry juice. While there’s scientific evidence showing that cranberries are effective in clearing UTIs in dogs, such home remedies shouldn’t be a substitute for veterinary treatment.
What we’re trying to say is, if you suspect your pup has UTI based on their symptoms, it’s important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment. Relying solely on home remedies without seeing the vet puts your dog at risk of severe symptoms or, worse, kidney infection due to delayed treatment.
Not to mention, some of these home remedies may not be fully effective for all dogs with UTI, hence the need for proper medical treatment.
Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs FAQs
Dog UTI treatment over the counter
If your dog is suffering from a UTI, it’s advisable not to treat them with over-the-counter medication before seeing the vet.
UTI meds for dogs
Vet-prescribed antibiotics are the most effective in treating UTIs in dogs.
How do you know if your dog has UTI?
Dogs with UTI exhibit symptoms such as urinating small amounts of pee frequently, bloody or cloudy urine, loss of appetite, lethargy, and whimpering while urinating.
Antibiotics for UTI in dogs
If your dog has a UTI, the antibiotics your vet will prescribe will largely depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
How do dogs get UTI?
As explained earlier, dogs get UTI when harmful bacteria, such as that found in dog poop, enter their bladder through the urethra.
UTI medicine for dogs
Usually, antibiotics are prescribed for dogs diagnosed with UTIs.
Signs of UTI in female dog
As noted earlier, these signs include urinating small amounts of pee frequently, excessive thirst, frequent potty accidents, bloody urine, and lethargy.
Dog UTI treatment
Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for UTI in dogs.
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