Medicine for a Bladder Infection in a Dog

Bladder infections are relatively common in dogs. Your dog's symptoms could include pain while urinating, the need to urinate more often, and bloody, discolored or foul-smelling urine. At times, he may strain to urinate. Fortunately, there are multiple remedies to treat this problem and restore your dog's bladder health.

  1. Antibiotics

    • Administering oral antibiotics is one of the most common ways to treat canine bladder infections, according to an article entitled, "Dog Bladder Infections" on The Dog Health Guide website. Your vet may prescribe an antibiotic to be given over two weeks. Make sure your dog takes all of the antibiotics, even if her symptoms seem to disappear before the prescription is finished.

    Vitamin Supplements

    • Vitamin C, a natural inflammatory, promotes a healthy bladder lining, says an article entitled "Urinary Tract Infections," on the Precious Pets website. Ester C is particularly gentle on the digestive track. Consult your vet about the appropriate dosage for your dog, however, because vitamin C can cause diarrhea. Normal dosages are 250mg twice a day for dogs weighing less than 15 pounds, 500mg twice a day for dogs weighing between 15 to 50 pounds and 1,000mg twice a day for dogs weighing more than 50 pounds.

    Cranberry Juice

    • Cranberry juice boosts acidity in your dog's urine, which reduces its pH balance, and helps prevent or eliminate bladder infections, according to "Cranberry Juice, Dogs & Bladder Infections" on the Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue website. Consult your vet before administering cranberry juice, however, because too much acid in the bladder can cause bladder stones. If your vet approves, administer the cranberry juice straight or diluted with water. Always be sure to give your dog plenty of plain water, as well.

    Homeopathic Remedies

    • Over-the-counter natural medicines for treating bladder infections are available in pet catalogs or on pet health websites. If your dog is straining to urinate or has blood in his urine, for example, try cantharis, according to the Precious Pets site. Your dog can absorb this in his mouth without swallowing. Administer two or three 30C pellets when you first notice the infection, and repeat once every hour for three hours. If you don't notice any change within 12 hours, contact your vet.