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My female puppy's swollen genitals and frequent urination: UTI again?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Female | spayed | 2 months and 16 days old | 48 lbs

My female puppy’s genital area appears to be swollen. She is peeing in very tiny puddles a few times a day. She received clavamox for a uti weeks ago and was peeing just fine up until two days ago. She licks the area alot and is not spayed yet. She acts completely normal and playful otherwise. I’m taking her to the vet tomorrow but I just want to get an opinion now.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Maria DVM

Answered By Maria DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 21st, 2017

The most common thing is the antibiotics may not have been given long enough and she needed maybe another week, so when you stopped the antibiotic there was still bacteria left over in her urine.

Clavamox is a great antibiotic to start out with but she may need a different medication that is more broad spectrum.

The other thing that could be going on (especially since she is so young) she could have a congenital issue like an ectopic ureter. With this, she will continually dribble or drip urine. An ectopic ureter is when the ureter (brings urine from the kidneys to the bladder) is attached at the wrong location on the bladder.

I recommend a urinalysis (if one wasn't done last time). You can bring one when you go to the veterinarian tomorrow. You can also have a urine culture performed. This will state what bacteria is in the urine and what antibiotic is best used to treat it. If you do these tests and treat the urinary tract infection and she is still having issues the next diagnostic would be an ultrasound looking for anything congenital like ectopic ureters.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 24th, 2019

    It sounds like it could be getting worse. This could be due to an antibiotic resistance, bladder stones or bladder cancer. I recommend to have her examined again and have further diagnostics run.

    I hope it's nothing too serious and that she starts improving quickly.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Jennifer Ladd, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 3rd, 2017

    This is certainly not normal after antibiotic therapy. I would recommend a repeat urinalysis with culture and sensitivity. I am concerned there is another bacteria that is flourishing. An ultrasound would also be helpful to examine the bladder and ensure there are no congenital abnormalities or secondary problems. Poor puppy!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
Puppy dribbles pee, has accidents, UTI meds not working. What to do?
If the antibiotics didn't make much difference, I'd be suspicious of puppy vaginitis, which is a relatively common inflammatory condition that can lead to accidents and sometimes make them more susceptible to urinary infections. It generally resolves with age. I would also check for a stricture (this may require sedation as they don't love vaginal palpation...). For now, since your vet hasn't been able to check a urinalysis, that would be the first priority. See if you can get a sample- sneak a small container under her when she squats. If you have to hold onto the sample a few hours before dropping it at your vet, stick it in the fridge, but the fresher the better. If you're having no luck, your vet can collect a sterile sample via cystocentesis. Hope this helps.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog has a UTI. Why is she bleeding after starting antibiotics?
Frequent licking and blood in the urine are signs of an infection. However if it flared after the start of the antibiotics then I would pursue further testing. Did they do anytime sample tonxhexk for cells and crystals and see what bacteria what present? From there you need an X-ray or an ultrasound to make sure there are no bladder stones as this can require surgery or the problem will keep occurring without.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog's vulva is itchy, red, inflamed after UTI antibiotics.
From your picture, it looks like Val has what we commonly call a recessed vulva. That means that her vulva is tucked up and has a fold a skin around it. The problem with this is that the fold of skin can trap moisture and result in a yeast and/or bacterial overgrowth of that skin which is very itchy. So, I would recommend asking your vet about a topical treatment for the skin folds. We will often use medicated wipes that contain both an antibiotic and anti-fungal medication to help treat and prevent skin fold problems. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Dog's pink vagina tip after UTI meds. Should I worry or see a vet?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This does not necessarily warrant a veterinary evaluation if it goes away on its own. Since she has improved, I would continue to monitor her for now. If this does not improve, I recommend you have her reevaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They may decide at that point to try a different antibiotic if they think it is because of an infection. Best of luck!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why is my senior lab still uncomfortable after UTI antibiotics?
If a urinary tract infection is suspected and your vet has tried with two different antibiotics thus far without any luck, it is time for a more thorough diagnostic work up to try and rule out some other possibilities. Firstly, I would recommend a urine culture / susceptibility test that is sent out to the lab. This will tell us the specific microbe present in the urine sample and what antibiotics are best to use against it. You will need to have your vet obtain a sterile sample for this test as a free catch sample will obtain bacterial from the environment. Secondly, I would recommend obtaining a diagnostic ultrasound of the abdomen and bladder to make sure there are no obviously structural issues contributing to Maggie's current situation. Thirdly, I would get some baseline blood work to rule out any other common systemic conditions that could affect a dog that is getting a little bit older. Hope this makes sense. Good luck!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Why is my intact dog still having brown discharge after antibiotics?
It would be best to have your vet recheck this. Pyo can be a concern at any age. Even if the dog hasn't had a heat before. They can also have very severe UTIs which can be resistant to certain types of antibiotics. It would be best to do a culture of the discharge to make sure the medication you are giving is working and that you know exactly what type of infection you are dealing with. Good luck and I hope your girl feels better soon!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog has a hooded vulva and recurring UTIs. What can I do?
If a UTI is not resolving with typical antibiotic therapy, it's time to do a urine culture to determine a.) the specific bacteria that is causing the infection and b.) the exact antibiotic and dosage necessary to resolve it. If a urine culture has been performed and the infection is still not going away, I would suggest using baby wipes on Riley after she urinates, in order to remove as much urine and debris from the vulva as possible. It also may be necessary to put her in an e-collar (cone) until the infection resolves, as licking may be complicating recovery as well.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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