My dog has a UTI. Should I give him human Bactrim or see a vet?

Unfortunately, we are legally prohibited from providing a dose in the absence of a physical exam and VPCR (Veterinarian-Patient-Client Relationship). It is important to have a UTI diagnosed by your veterinarian. A sterile urine sample can be collected and submitted for culture and sensitivity. This may identify the organism responsible as well as the best antibiotic to use in treatment. The SMZ-TMP tabs you have may not be effective against the bacteria. Additionally, inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to resistant bacteria and may complicate any underlying condition which could delay diagnosis.

Hello. It is unfortunately impossible for us to recommend using human medication without knowing there is a real problem with your pet. At best, you may be giving an unnecessary medication & at worse, you may be treating inappropriately & causing a simple infection to become much worse. It is best to consult with your vet who knows your pet better & see if this antibiotic is appropriate based on her symptoms. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

The usual dose used is 15mg/kg but you could go as high as 30mg/kg; so a 26# dog would need between 177mg to 354mg twice a day. I do think the dose is high so please call your vet and ask. Personally I would use 1/2 of a 480mg tablet twice a day. The person who filled the prescription may have made an error. The drug is very safe so I would not be worried about it's safety. Remember, any drug can cause side effects but I use this drug A LOT and very rarely see any side effects and if I do, they are usually mild. ( https://www.petplace.com/article/drug-library/drug-library/library/trimethoprimsulfadiazine-tribrissen-for-dogs-and-cats/ )

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This depends solely on her weight. If she truly is 105 pounds like it says on her profile, then this should be fine as that would be actually a low dose. The use of antibiotics without a proper veterinary evaluation is not recommended as it can result in antibiotic resistance, especially if the patient is underdosed chronically. If Bella has not been evaluated by a veterinarian, I would recommend she is before continuing any antibiotics. Good luck and have a good night!

What a cutie! I cannot see the ingredients label on your product so I cannot say for certain, but there are no toxic concerns with cranberry or parsley. I would, however, recommend talking to your vet about his urine stream. I would be concerned about the possibility of an issue with the prostate or something like a bladder stone and your vet may want to do an X-ray to check for these problems if your pup isn’t improving on the antibiotics.

I am sorry to hear your pup Zarina may have a urinary tract infection (commonly known as UTIs). Before I explain why, it is not a good idea to start antibiotics. UTIs are frequently caused by bacteria in the urinary bladder or the urethra. Female dogs are more prone to developing UTIs but any dog can be pre-disposed to UTIs if they have any urinary stone formation. Given that we are unsure if Zarina has a UTI, I would recommend a veterinary visit to confirm that she does in fact have one. They typically take a urine sample and look for bacteria and cells. If they see crystals or evidence of possible stone formation, they may recommend a radiograph of her bladder as well. If she does have UTI, it is important to choose the right antibiotic with the right dose and frequency. Typically, dogs are treated for UTIs with a 10-14 day course of antibiotics. Since UTI's can be painful and irritating, I recommend finding a veterinarian sooner rather than later to confirm and get the proper treatment. I hope this is helpful and feel free to start a consultation if you need more information! Good luck and I hope Zarina feels better!

Many different antibiotics are used for both humans and dogs, the only difference is the dose given. Antibiotics should not be given without the advice of your veterinarian. Inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to resistant bacteria and may complicate any underlying condition which could delay diagnosis.