Help! My Dog Keeps Getting UTI’s! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“My mastiff-lab, Honey, keeps getting UTIs. We took him to a vet, and they gave us a canine antibiotic to take every 12 hours (Amoxicillin 500mg) that he took for 30 days. Less than a week after he finished the 30 days, his symptoms came back. Perplexed! $179 vet bill that basically did nothing.“ – Shirley
Quick Info about Honey
Hey Shirley.
Recurrent urinary tract infections in a dog like Honey are frustrating, and when signs return quickly after a full course of antibiotics, it usually means the underlying cause has not yet been identified, rather than the treatment being useless. In large breed dogs, especially males, repeated infections are uncommon and often linked to something that allows bacteria to persist, such as bladder stones, prostate disease, anatomical abnormalities, endocrine conditions, or infection with bacteria that are resistant to the chosen antibiotic. Treating without a urine culture is a bit like choosing a key without knowing which lock you are opening; sometimes it fits, sometimes the bacteria survive, and the infection returns.
The next step that truly changes the outcome is a sterile urine sample collected by cystocentesis, a simple and well-tolerated procedure in which a sterile needle is used to obtain urine directly from the bladder through the abdominal wall, for urinalysis and culture with sensitivity testing. This approach prevents contamination and allows the laboratory to identify the exact bacteria, select the antibiotic that will eliminate it, and determine the appropriate treatment length. Many recurrent cases also benefit from imaging, such as radiographs or ultrasound, to look for stones or prostate enlargement. If Honey is showing frequent urination, straining, blood in the urine, discomfort, fever, or reduced appetite, prompt reevaluation is important, since urinary infections in males should always be taken seriously
Good luck!
Dr. Paola