Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog has a UTI & leaks pee when lying down. Is this normal?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 13 years and 4 months old | 43 lbs

Our 13 year old lab mix was tested and diagnosed with a UTI yesterday. She's had 2 full days of antibiotics, and her appetite is now back, but she is still unable to urinate on her own, but large amounts of urine leaks out while she's laying down. Is this normal? It's difficult with our vet's office closed for the holiday weekend. Thank you for any advice.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 27th, 2018

This is actually normal with a painful UTI. She probably does not want to urinate voluntarily because it hurts, So she just holds the urine. The urinary bladder has a safety system with pressure receptors. Once the bladder gets too full, there is a pressure build up and that activates those receptors which then make the bladder sphincter muscles relax and urine can leave the bladder before it bursts. So as soon as Carmen lies down the pressure increases, the urine flows. This should stop when there will be less pain when the inflammation goes away. This may take a few days. In the meantime , I am afraid it means wiping pee.
Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Why is my 1-year-old dog peeing while lying down? Is it a UTI?

The most likely reason at her age is a urinary tract infection, i strongly recommend taking her to your vet ASAP in order to get it checked and treated, the vet will need to perform a urine analysis, if it is positive for an infection she will need to take a course of antibiotics.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my neutered dog leaking urine in his sleep after a UTI?

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. This sounds like urinary incontinence and that it is not secondary to a UTI. This could be caused by urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI), but is less likely to occur in males and more in females. JD could have a back problem or other neurological condition leading to decreased urethral closure pressure. I would recommend a trial of a medication called PPA or DES and see if the trial helps reduce the urinary incontinence. If there is no improvement after the trial, I would recommend more diagnostics such as abdominal ultrasound, x-rays or CT scan with contrast. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be happy to help you further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog peeing on the bed after surgery? Incontinence or UTI?

IF she is urinating and not knowing she is going, then she likely has incontinence. Pets will also often have pooling of urine if they are incontinent, which is typically on the bed or anywhere that they lay. Fortunately, there is medication that your vet can prescribe for Brandi to help with her incontinence once the trial of antibiotics are complete. Its best to place a doggy diaper on her until then. I hope that Brandi does well moving forward. Best wishes and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has UTI symptoms and is leaking urine. Is this an emergency?

As long as he can urinate and is acting otherwise normally, it is likely not an emergency situation. Consider allowing your veterinarian to collect a sterile urine sample to submit for a culture and sensitivity panel. This may identify the bacteria responsible for Red's infection as well as the most effective antibiotic to use in treatment. Stones in his bladder or kidneys and masses may be ruled out with the ultrasound. He may need to be on long term or pulsed (alternating weeks or month on/off meds) antibiotic therapy.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog leaking urine when he's lying down? What's wrong?

Your dog could be suffering from a weal bladder, a urinary infection or urinary stones. I would recommend taking him to the vet in order to get it checked, he will need to have a urine test done and then he will be treated according to the results.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my elderly dog still leaking urine after multiple antibiotics?

It sounds like Blacky had a urinary tract infection, which sometimes can become recurrent or resistant and difficult to treat. His urine may need to be cultured again to see if the infection has resolved. Sometimes bladder stones or polyps, or diseases like Cushing's or kidney disease could also cause urine leakage. Finally, he may have urinary incontinence due to a neurologic issue and require medication to help stop the leakage. I would recommend talking to your veterinarian to see if there are any additional tests they would recommend.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a UTI, on meds, barely peeing. Is it serious? What to do?

Is she trying to urinate but can’t? If so this could be an emergency and she should be seen immediately. It is also possible that she is dehydrated and doesn’t have much urine to produce. Either way I do think that this is concerning and she should be evaluated as soon as possible. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share