UTI and Bladder Stones in Dogs Explained with Dr. Ayeley Okine

Dr. Ayeley Okine is a board-certified veterinary internist and founder of a mobile veterinary practice that provides ultrasound services for animal hospitals in the Bay Area. She recently shared her expertise with CareCredit about the common causes, symptoms and treatments for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bladder stones.

Common Causes of a Urinary Tract Infection in Dogs

A urinary tract infection can happen to a dog of any age, and sometimes the cause of a UTI is simply a dog's anatomy. “Overweight dogs or dogs that have folds kind of covering their urogenital tract can trap in moisture, trap in bacteria that can migrate up from the outside and go inside into the urinary bladder and urethra," explains Dr. Okine.

Another cause may be grooming habits — if a dog can't groom and clean themselves properly, it can lead to a UTI.

Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection in Dogs

The symptoms of a urinary tract infection in dogs are very similar to the symptoms that humans experience: difficulty and/or pain when urinating. Your dog may ask to go out frequently, strain, not produce much urine, look generally uncomfortable and sometimes even cry while peeing. If you see any blood in the urine, Dr. Okine says, that can be a sign of a UTI.

Treatment for a Urinary Tract Infection in Dogs

If untreated, a UTI can lead to other health issues or the bacteria can potentially migrate up into the kidneys or into the bloodstream, so it's important to go the veterinarian to have your dog checked if you think they have a UTI.

Your vet will either ask for you to bring or collect a sterile urine sample themselves, then test it and culture it to look for bacteria. Sometimes dog scan have stones or crystals in their urine, which can mimic a UTI, but is a different problem. Treatment varies depending on the urine sample.

Common Causes of Bladder Stones in Dogs

A bladder stone is often a bacterial infection or minerals that are being excreted from the kidneys. It can happen in dogs of any age, and as the minerals mix with the bladder, Dr. Okine explains, a little crystal can turn into several crystals that can turn into an actual stone.

Symptoms and Causes of Bladder Stones in Dogs

The symptoms of a bladder stone can mimic a urinary tract infection. If the bladder stone is caused by a certain type of mineral, you can change your dog's diet to decrease the amount of minerals being excreted through the kidneys, which can help decrease or even prevent the bladder stones from coming back.

Treatment of Bladder Stones in Dogs

Depending on the type of stone, it can be treated as a UTI, dissolved via diet changes or sometimes will require surgery.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing For Dogs

The CareCredit credit card provides a convenient way to pay for your dog's vaccinations and other health and wellness expenses, including exams, medications, and products at providers in the CareCredit network.** Apply today and continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos. Use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian that accepts CareCredit to help keep your pet healthy and happy for a lifetime of love.

Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and she has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women's Health Online, Headspace, and more.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Ayeley Okine is a board certified veterinary internal medicine specialist that has been practicing in the Bay area for over 5 years. She started her own mobile veterinary ultrasound business in 2021 to help provide this imaging modality to more pets in need. She has been able to combine her love of and expertise in Internal Medicine with her ultrasound skillset to not only help make ultrasonographic diagnoses, but also to provide guidance along with treatment and follow-up recommendations to her colleagues.

Dr. Okine hopes to continue growing her own business and eventually incorporate other needed modalities to help pets with a variety of diseases and disorders. She values the human-animal bond and strives to preserve and strengthen that bond through collaborative medical intervention and strong communication.