What to do if your pet dog has urinary tract infection (UTI)

A UTI can manifest as difficulties in urination, pain during urination, and columnar urine output. If your dog shows such symptoms, it's best to take them to a pet hospital for examination and treat them with antibacterial, fungicidal, and anti-inflammatory drugs under the guidance of a pet veterinarian. In addition, the affected dog should be isolated from other dogs to prevent the spread of the infection.

Signs of UTI

UTIs are generally caused by infections due to damaged urethral mucosa or spreading of inflammation from adjacent organs. The main clinical symptoms include swollen penis, sensitivity, and red and swollen urethral opening. Dogs with UTI often experience difficulty and pain during urination, urine turbidity, accompanied by pus or blood; sometimes, necrotic or shed urethral mucosa can be passed. It's essential to seek medical attention promptly to control the inflammation.

Treatment for UTI

The treatment for dog UTI involves the following steps: first, alleviate inflammation by choosing either long-acting antibiotic injections or oral antibiotics. If the dog cannot urinate, insert a urinary catheter, and use ultrasound to check for stones or blood clots inside. Finally, fit the dog with an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from licking their genitals. After recovery, consider neutering the dog.

Points to Note When Using Medications for UTI

Most dog urinary tract infections are bacterial and sensitive to antibiotics. You can use amoxicillin-clavulanate combined with mucosal protectant sulfasalazine. Note that the usage period and bacterial resistance may occur; it's recommended to check the causative agent of the urinary tract infection at the hospital, then choose specific antibiotics. If the dog shows no response to antibiotics, it's advised to conduct a drug sensitivity test.