Signs of UTI in Puppies

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by a bacterial infestation of the urethra, and can spread to other vital organs, becoming life threatening. If you observe your puppy exhibiting the symptoms of a UTI, it needs veterinary treatment as soon as possible. If your vet diagnoses a UTI, the doctor is likely to prescribe antibiotics and a special diet for your puppy.

  1. Excessive Thirst

    • If your puppy is passing more urine than normal as a result of the UTI, it's going to become dehydrated. Constant drinking is a possible sign that it's trying to replenish the fluids it's lost from a UTI. Other symptoms of dehydration include vomiting, copious drooling, appetite loss, and lethargy.

    Incontinence

    • The UTI can cause bladder inflammation that leads to increased urination, though your puppy will typically only be able to void small amounts of urine at a time. The constant drinking that accompanies dehydration will also result in increased urination. As the inflammation progresses, your puppy can completely lose bladder control and be unable to refrain from urinating in your house. Your puppy may also dribble urine if you place even light pressure on its bladder.

    Infrequent Urination

    • A UTI can also trigger blockages in your puppy's bladder and urethra that lead to reduced urination. The infection can cause crystals to form in the urethra, which will join with each other to form stones and create increasingly large blockages. Your puppy may strain to release even a small amount of urine. Stone formation in the urethra is most common in male puppies, but can occur in females. Complete blockage of the bladder or urethra is a life-threatening condition that can lead to total kidney failure.

    Pain and Lethargy

    • Your puppy may demonstrate physical distress by whimpering or whining while he's trying to pass urine. Puppies frequently demonstrate signs of lower back pain when afflicted with a UTI, and may develop a fever, indicating that its system is trying to fight off the infection. Puppies often develop lethargy in conjunction with fevers, and if other symptoms of a UTI are present, that's an indication that the UTI is in an advanced stage and must be treated immediately.

    Urine Characteristics

    • An advanced UTI can result in your puppy passing blood in its urine. This condition is most common in female puppies, though not unheard of in males. Your puppy's urine may also be cloudy, contain pus, and is likely to have an uncharacteristically foul odor.