Toy Poodle with Ongoing Urination Problems but Clear Urine Tests

We’re sorry he’s been going through this for so long. When signs improve on antibiotics but return each time, while urine tests show no infection, it’s worth asking whether infection is really the cause. Dogs can feel better on antibiotics for other reasons, and inflammation from a polyp, a tumour or bladder irritation can look just like an infection.

Before surgery, ask your vet whether a urine culture was done (not just a dipstick or microscope check), ideally before antibiotics were started. Because a growth is suspected, ask whether a catheter or free-catch sample is safer than a needle sample, since needle sampling is avoided when bladder cancer is possible, and ask about the BRAF urine test for bladder cancer. Ask too whether his prostate has been checked, especially if he isn’t neutered. Some stones don’t show on X-rays, so an ultrasound helps. If cost is the barrier, ask whether a referral ultrasound, cystoscopy or a catheter biopsy could answer the question with less expense.

If he strains or squats constantly and passes little or no urine, that is an emergency, so go straight to a vet.

Our page on urinary tract infection symptoms in dogs covers the conditions that can mimic a bladder infection.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.