Veterinary Guide to Canine Kidney Infections (Pyelonephritis) 2025 🐶🩺

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

🧬 What Are Kidney Infections?

Kidney infections, medically called pyelonephritis, occur when bacteria ascend from the lower urinary tract and infect one or both kidneys. This can lead to inflammation, tissue damage, and even kidney failure.

👥 Who's at Risk?

• Middle-aged to older dogs, especially females, due to shorter urethras.
• Dogs with bladder infections (UTIs), urinary stones, diabetes, Cushing’s disease, or urinary tract abnormalities like ectopic ureters or kidney dysplasia.
• Dogs on immunosuppressive drugs or with chronic kidney disease are more prone.
• Occasionally caused by systemic diseases like leptospirosis or rare kidney worms.

⚠️ Recognizing the Signs

• Often non-specific at first—lethargy, poor appetite, mild fever, occasional vomiting.
• More obvious signs include abdominal pain, blood in urine, increased thirst and urination, straining, accidents, weight loss.
• Severe infections can cause high fever, marked pain, and palpable kidney enlargement.

🔍 Diagnostic Steps

1. History & physical exam: Pay attention to urinary signs and abdominal pain on palpation.
2. Urinalysis & culture: Key diagnostics—identifies bacteria, white blood cells, blood/protein. Culture directs antibiotic choice.
3. Bloodwork: CBC, chemistry panel to assess kidney function and detect infection markers.
4. Imaging: Abdominal ultrasound to spot stones, obstructions, or changes. X-rays helpful for structural evaluation.
5. Advanced tests: In rare cases, ultrasound-guided aspiration or biopsies; tests for leptospirosis if suspected.

🛠️ Treatment Protocols

• Antibiotics

• Long-term therapy—4 to 8 weeks minimum—based on urine culture results. Common choices: amoxicillin-clavulanate, enrofloxacin, cefpodoxime, marbofloxacin.
• Severe cases may warrant hospitalization and IV antibiotics initially.

• Supportive Care

• IV or subcutaneous fluids to flush the kidneys and maintain hydration.
• Pain management with NSAIDs or adjunctive analgesics.
• Nutritional support: palatable, balanced diets; consider renal support if function is compromised.

• Surgical Intervention (Rare)

• Needed in cases of obstruction, stones, abscesses, or pathology like large kidney worms—may require nephrectomy.

• Monitoring & Follow-up

• Re-culture urine 1–2 weeks post-treatment to confirm clearance.
• Ongoing blood and urine evaluations for kidney function and to detect recurrence.
• Imaging repeated if structural issues are suspected.

📈 Prognosis

• General prognosis is good—most dogs recover with prompt antibiotic therapy and supportive care.
• Recurrent or chronic infections may cause lasting kidney damage or progress to kidney failure.
• Underlying risk factors increase the chances of relapse—these need to be treated to improve outcomes.

🏡 Prevention Tips

• Treat bladder infections early and completely to prevent upward spread.
• Manage anatomical issues and underlying diseases (e.g., stones, diabetes, endocrine disorders).
• Ensure fresh water and bathroom breaks to flush the urinary tract.
• Maintain hygiene—cleaning fur around the urinary opening, especially in long-haired females.
• Regular monitoring if your dog has chronic kidney disease or immunosuppression.

📱 Ask A Vet Telehealth Support

• 📸 Upload urine samples, coloration, and frequency logs for remote evaluation.
• 🔔 Receive reminders for medications, fluid intake, and follow-up urine culturing.
• 🩺 Video consults to assess hydration, pain, appetite, and toileting behavior.

🎓 Case Spotlight: “Sadie” the Spaniel

Sadie, an 8‑year‑old Cocker Spaniel, presented with lethargy and blood-tinged urine. Urinalysis confirmed pyelonephritis; culture showed E. coli. She received 6 weeks of marbofloxacin, daily subcutaneous fluids, NSAIDs, and a urinary-health diet. Ask A Vet coordinated home-based fluid packs, scheduled follow-ups, and reminders for re-culture. Sadie recovered completely, with normal kidney function documented at 3 months post-treatment. 🐕🩺

🔚 Key Takeaways

1. Kidney infections are serious but treatable, arise from upward spread of lower urinary bacteria.
2. Signs range from mild illness to fever, painful urination, and blood in the urine.
3. Definitive diagnosis requires urinalysis, culture, blood tests, and imaging.
4. Prolonged antibiotic therapy and supportive care are essential.
5. Prevention focuses on resolving lower UTIs, hygiene, and managing predisposing conditions.
6. Ask A Vet telehealth supports infection monitoring, medication adherence, remote consults, and home care coordination 📲🐾

Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, founder of Ask A Vet. Download the Ask A Vet app to support your dog through kidney infections—remote triage, antibiotic tracking, fluid delivery, follow‑up testing, and ongoing kidney care 🐶📲