Urinary tract infections in dogs require urine culture for accurate diagnosis, as empirical antibiotic treatment without culture promotes resistance and may fail to address the true pathogen.
Dogs with UTI experience discomfort from frequent, urgent urination and painful bladder inflammation. Empirical antibiotic treatment without culture may fail if the organism is resistant, prolonging suffering. Inappropriate treatment of subclinical bacteriuria (bacteria without signs) creates antibiotic resistance without welfare benefit. The use of culture-based targeted therapy - while requiring more time and expense - provides better welfare outcomes by ensuring the correct antibiotic is chosen and treatment duration is appropriate.