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Why is my senior lab still uncomfortable after UTI antibiotics?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | 65 lbs

We have a 9 year old female chocolate lab and she has a problem with urination. It seems that she is uncomfortable with urination. She has a somewhat swelled abdomen, but it resolves some after she urinates. She has had 2 doses of antibiotics back to back, and seems that she is a little better. But she still sits and rubs her bottom on the rug or floor like she is very uncomfortable. We cannot get to a normal. We have seen our veterinarian several times and was given more pills. Thanks.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jeffrey Milner

Veterinarian

Published on January 14th, 2018

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!

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