Kidney Infection in Dogs

Left untreated, a canine kidney infection can cause kidney failure and be fatal to the dog. Not all dogs show symptoms of kidney infections, so regular veterinary checkups are important. Upon diagnosis, the kidney infection is treatable, but it can still be dangerous. Early detection is the key to successful treatment.

  1. Causes

    • The cause of kidney infections in dogs is bacteria in the kidneys. Bacteria may get into the dog's system if the dog drinks contaminated water or eats contaminated food. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria settle in the dog's bladder, causing a urinary tract infection. If the infection goes untreated, it can spread to the kidneys, causing a more serious infection, according to veterinarians at Mar Vista Animal Medical Center in Los Angeles.

    Identification

    • A dog with a kidney infection shows a variety of symptoms. These include squatting without urinating, pain in the kidney area, listlessness, depression, loss of interest in food, weight loss and blood in the urine, according to ThePetCheckup.com. The dog might not show these symptoms until the kidney infection is advanced.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnosis of a canine bladder or urinary tract infection consists of a urinalysis. If the infection does not clear up after a course of antibiotics, the veterinarian might choose to take a urine culture to check for secondary infections, according to veterinarians at Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. These tests may not confirm the presence of a kidney infection but with the help of clues such as a fever combined with a urinary tract infection, an elevated white blood count and pain in the kidney area, the veterinarian can make the diagnosis.

    Treatment

    • Treatment involves a course of antibiotics. Ten to 14 days of antibiotics is the normal time period needed for a dog with a classic urinary tract infection. With a kidney infection, this time period increases to four to six weeks. Once the dog completes the course of antibiotics, the veterinarian might take a new urine sample for culturing to ensure the infection has cleared up.

    Prevention/Solution

    • A canine urinary tract infection is preventable by ensuring the dog has access to clean water and keeping the dog's living area clean. A canine UTI often develops into a kidney infection if the dog's immune system is compromised, according to veterinarians at Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. Keeping the dog up to date with his vaccinations and feeding him a healthy diet may help the dog maintain a strong immune system and be less susceptible to a kidney infection.