Urinary tract infections are a common source of discomfort in dogs, particularly females, and require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent chronic welfare compromise.
UTIs cause genuine discomfort and pain: the burning sensation during urination, urinary urgency, and pelvic pain that characterise cystitis in humans are experienced by dogs in equivalent ways. Dogs with UTIs may show urgency, squat repeatedly without producing urine, and show pain responses during palpation of the bladder. Chronic or recurrent UTIs cause prolonged welfare compromise that requires investigation of predisposing factors. Inappropriate antibiotic selection can lead to treatment failure and worsening infection. The welfare priority is prompt accurate diagnosis through urinalysis and culture, followed by appropriate treatment and follow-up to confirm resolution.