Urinary Tract Infection & Irritation in a Puppy

Urinary tract infections in puppies are not uncommon, and they tend to occur more in female dogs than in males. Early detection can be difficult in puppies, especially those that have not yet been housebroken. Illness can be mistaken for the typical accidents that go along with having a puppy, making diagnosis difficult. Catching the infection quickly will not only make it easier to cure, but will avoid long days of discomfort for your puppy.

  1. Symptoms

    • Because puppies still have small bladders with little control, it can be difficult to tell the difference between typical puppy accidents and a urinary tract infection. A puppy with a urinary tract infection will eliminate more often and in smaller amounts, and in some cases will not show signs that it is aware that it is urinating. The urine may have a funny appearance, and can be cloudy or tinged with blood. Often, the smell is much stronger than normal, and may even contain small crystals. When there is such crystals in the urine -- and in cases where the urine is simply discolored -- the puppy may also show signs of discomfort and pain when urinating and afterward.

    Causes

    • A urinary tract infection is caused when bacteria gets into the urinary tract of the puppy. There is always bacteria on the outside of the puppy's body, but when that bacteria gets into the inner workings of the system -- the urethra and into the bladder -- a urinary tract infection develops. Because the tract from the outside of the body to the bladder is shorter in female puppies than it is in males, the infection is much more common in females. It is not unheard of in males, however, and the symptoms are the same. In some puppies the symptoms are mild incontinence, and the urinary tract infection will only be diagnosed by a veterinarian that is running a urine culture.

    Treatments

    • Make sure the puppy is drinking plenty of water, as this will dilute the urine and make it easier to flush bacteria out of the body. When the condition is diagnosed by a veterinarian, the treatment will generally include a course of antibiotics. This medication will be prescribed to be given for at least several days after symptoms disappear to ensure that all the bacteria is dead and out of the body to prevent reinfection. In some cases, it may also be suggested to give the puppy citric or cranberry juices to aid in killing the bacteria.

    Housebreaking Issues

    • Some puppies can take longer than others to housebreak, and when the puppy has a urinary tract infection this process can take even longer. Incontinence can lead to continued accidents in the house, which the puppy should not be punished for, as this is due to an illness that they can't help. Taking the puppy outside more often to urinate can help, but puppies with little control over their bladders when they are healthy will become more difficult to house train when they are sick. However, urinary tract infections can usually be cleared up in a matter of days with medication prescribed by a veterinarian.