Antibiotics for Dogs With Urinary Tract Infections

Canines who have been diagnosed with urinary tract infections (UTIs) are put on a course of antibiotics. These medications must be prescribed by a veterinarian and are generally administered for 2 to 3 weeks.

  1. Types

    • Cephalexin, amoxicillin, and enrofloxacin are the common types of antibiotics prescribed to treat dogs with UTIs. A veterinarian will also recommend an increase in fluids in combination with antibiotics.

    Significance

    • UTIs are caused when bacteria enters the urinary tract, causing inflammation. The inflammation causes the urethra to become more narrow, decreasing urine flow and causing mild to moderate pain.

    Canine UTI Symptoms

    • Canine UTI symptoms can differ depending on the severity of the UTI, but generally include urination difficulty, painful urination, increased urinary frequency, increased licking in genital area, blood or pus in the urine, weight loss, or urine odor.

    Canine UTI Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian will use various methods, including a urine test, X-rays, and ultrasound, to determine if a UTI is causing the dog discomfort.

    Warning

    • The antibiotics prescribed to treat canine UTIs are the same antibiotics used for human administration. It is important not to give medication prescribed for human use, however, because the dosing requirements are different and medication may have fillers not appropriate for canine absorption.