Introduction
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a fairly common and painful condition in dogs (especially females) which, if left untreated, can lead to severe damage to the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract, and even to systemic illness. The goals of therapy are to eliminate infection and address identifiable underlying conditions or diseases. Uncomplicated UTIs are normally treated with antibiotics empirically. If the infection does not resolve, or if it resolves but recurs, a urine culture and sensitivity should be performed to identify the particular causative organism.
Treating Canine Urinary Tract Infections
Dogs diagnosed with what is thought to be an uncomplicated bacterial UTI normally are treated empirically with antibiotics, initially without culturing the urine. Your veterinarian will select one or a combination of several antibiotics depending upon the results of initial urine tests, including whether the infection is gram-positive or gram-negative. Obviously, these will be antibiotics with good penetration and distribution into the urine. It is extremely important that the owner give the antibiotics exactly as instructed by the veterinarian, and for the complete treatment course.
If the infection persists, or if it resolves but later returns after a complete course of antibiotic therapy, the urine should be cultured to identify the exact cause of infection so that the best medication can be given, for the proper length of time. The underlying condition, such as uroliths or immunosuppression, must be identified and addressed to prevent repeat UTIs. The results of initial blood and urine tests, combined with urine culture, appropriate antibiotic selection and administration, abdominal radiographs and ultrasound, will help the veterinarian identify and hopefully resolve the reasons for recurrent or persistent urinary tract infections in companion dogs.
The prognosis for uncomplicated canine urinary tract bacterial infections is excellent. Primary fungal infections, on the other hand, are extremely difficult to treat. The prognosis for complicated canine UTIs is variable, depending upon correct identification of the causative infectious organism and identification and resolution of the predisposing disorder or disease.