What Are the Causes of Puppy Urinary Tract Infection?

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are one of the most common ailments to affect puppies. They cause extreme discomfort during urination, and can lead to more severe complications if left untreated. By knowing the causes of UTIs, you can help prevent your puppy from developing one.

  1. Urinary tract infections

    • UTIs are painful and uncomfortable infections that develop in a puppy's urinary system. They cause pain while urinating, and in rare cases they can affect other internal organs such as the kidneys.

    Cause

    • UTIs are caused by bacterial growth. There are a variety of bacteria that can cause the infection to form, including escherichia coli, esterococcus, proteus mirabilis, and klebsiella. The bacteria starts in the puppy's digestive tract, enters the urinary tract through the puppy's urethra and makes its way into the bladder.

    Source

    • The bacteria that cause urinary tract infections to develop are commonly the result of unsanitary water or contaminated food. Female puppies are more likely than males to develop the infection because they have shorter urethras, making it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Make sure you give your puppy adequate bathroom breaks, especially if you are housebreaking them. Feed her only high grade food from a trusted brand, and if you feed her canned food, be sure it is properly sealed and refrigerated to reduce the risk of bacterial growth. Change her water bowl often and only fill it with fresh, clean water.

    Treatment

    • If your puppy develops a UTI, a veterinarian will prescribe oral antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Your veterinarian may also choose to prescribe other antimicrobial drugs depending on the extent of the infection. Treatment usually lasts two to three weeks.