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Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) in Dogs
Written By Wag! Staff
Published: 02/25/2016Updated: 12/20/2023
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus)?
Streptococci are bacteria that can cause many different diseases in mammals, including humans and dogs. The most common streptococcal species found in dogs is Streptococcus canis, which is normally present in a healthy dog's throat, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract, and skin. Initially thought to be a canine and bovine pathogen, S. canis has also been isolated from other animals such as rats, rabbits, minks, badgers, and foxes.
Though harmless in most cases, streptococci bacteria can cause infection leading to a variety of ailments, from common conditions such as skin problems and urinary tract infections to potentially life-threatening ones such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
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Symptoms of Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) in Dogs
Since a streptococcal infection can manifest as a number of diseases, symptoms vary depending on which area of a dog's body is affected. Symptoms of streptococcus bacterial infection in dogs can include:
- Fever
- Skin lesions
- Abscesses
- Lethargy
- Coughing
- Decreased appetite
- Ear discharge
- Discomfort while urinating
- Pain in the affected area
- Infected wounds
Types
Some of the conditions associated with S. canis are:
Causes of Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) in Dogs
Streptococcus canis is present in the throat, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract, and skin of healthy dogs as a commensal. While it usually doesn't cause problems, it invades tissues when there is a breach in normal barriers. Dogs who are more susceptible to streptococcal infection include:
- Puppies with underdeveloped immune systems
- Senior dogs with weakened immune systems
- Dogs with underlying health conditions
- Dogs with allergic skin conditions whose skin barriers are compromised
- Dogs who are frequently handled, travel long distances, or are under stress
Additionally, dogs can contract an infection through:
- Close contact with infected dogs
- Shared bowls and bedding
Diagnosis of Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) in Dogs
While most cases of streptococcus bacterial infection are not considered an emergency, it's recommended to get your dog checked by a veterinarian as soon as you notice symptoms. To confirm if your dog has streptococcal infection, your vet will ask you to describe their symptoms and when they started. Be sure to let your vet know if your dog has any underlying health conditions too.
Your vet will perform a physical exam and blood tests, such as a complete blood count and biochemistry profile. Additional tests may be carried out depending on your dog's symptoms. For example, if your vet suspects a UTI, they'll recommend a urinalysis. If your dog has an ear infection, your vet may collect a sample of ear discharge to examine it under a microscope. S. canis often causes skin infections, so your vet may do a skin swab as well to confirm this and to rule out other skin conditions.
Treatment of Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) in Dogs
Treatment of streptococcus infection in dogs depends on its clinical manifestation and severity. Possible treatments include:
Antibiotics
Streptococcus infections are generally treated with beta-lactam antibiotics. Specifically, amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, and penicillin have been proven to successfully treat S. canis infections in animals.
Fluids
Fluids keep your dog well-hydrated and aid in important bodily functions, from moving nutrients into cells to regulating body temperature.
Pain medications
For conditions where your dog may be experiencing pain and inflammation such as UTIs, your vet may prescribe pain medications and anti-inflammatories.
Medicated shampoo
If your dog has a skin infection, your vet may send you home with a medicated shampoo and topical ointment.
Bandaging
If your dog has an infected wound, your vet may bandage the area to protect it and prevent your dog from licking it.
Ear medications
If your dog has an ear infection, your vet will likely recommend an ear cleanser and antibiotic ear drops.
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Recovery of Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) in Dogs
Unless your dog has a severe infection, they should recover in five to seven days after starting an antibiotic. However, infected wounds may take longer, i.e., weeks or months, to heal. Make sure your dog stays hydrated and gets plenty of rest during the recovery period.
It's important to show up to any follow-up appointments your vet schedules. Your vet will likely perform another round of tests to make sure the infection has completely resolved.
As long as there are no complications, your dog should be back on their feet and be able to resume their normal activities relatively quickly.
Streptococcus bacterial infection can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your dog is at risk of streptococcus bacterial infection, start searching for pet insurance today. Wag!’s pet insurance comparison tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $250 - $2,000
Average Cost
$1,500
Top
Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Pomeranian
Breezie
1 Year
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping
Lethargic
Abscess
Picky Eater
My 1 year 5 month old Pomeranian has been lethargic for over a week, she started limping on her front right leg 4 days ago, then limping on her hind left leg 2 days ago. She barely eats, but when she does eat she’s very picky (wet food only). She has several abscesses all over (4 on her back, 2 around her mouth) - 2 just “popped” last night (they were bleeding). The vet did a chem panel all normal (CBC showed elevated white cells & liver alp a little high). X-ray was fine (no pyometra found). Waiting on cultures - which takes a week. She’s been on antibiotics 4 days and no signs of improvement. She pees when I carry her outside and her poop is still solid...she’s never vomited.
June 11, 2018
7 Recommendations
It sounds like Breezie has a severe infection, four days is still early in treatment in cases this severe and may take much longer; it is useful that a sample has been sent for culture and sensitivity so that the most suitable antibiotic may be determined and used for treatment. Apart from continuing treatment as prescribed, I cannot recommend anything different at this time. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 12, 2018
I’m curious as to how the dog has turned out. I experienced something similar and vets have no idea what it was. I think it started with my dog being depressed a month prior. She also lost a little weight. But her being a husky we figured since we just brushed about a thousand pounds of hair off her that maybe that’s why she looked more skinny. She had her annual appointment on may 5th and seemed fine. She was good a week later. After that (about may 18th/19th) she started limping on her front left paw. And we saw a “scab” on her back left hock and her head. We figured she hurt herself going under our bed. She was limping about a week. The last few days she just stayed under the bed and wouldn’t come out. I had to hand her food and water. On may 26th we noticed she would shake when she laid down and just looked so miserable. On the 27th, she stayed in her cage all day and i noticed her pupils dilated, her blue eyes were yellow, and she was warm. I also noticed sores on her paws/between toes on the back legs and that one scab on her hock wasn’t a pea size anymore it was on her whole ankle bone. She would “clean” it. I made an appt to vet on Tuesday since it was memorial weekend (not open Monday). At her appointment (may 29th) her vet said her temp was 105.3 degrees, blind and dehydrated. I took her to the hospital that day. They did CBC which they told me had signs of inflammation, gave her iv fluids for half hour, and told me she had more sores than i saw. They were on her tongue, mouth, and more on her toes. They gave me an antibiotic, gabapentin, and eye drops. Did a valley fever test but didn’t come in until that Thursday (may 31). The next day i thought she was a bit better because she drank a lot more. Thursday the same. Valley fever was negative. And they gave another antibiotic, prednisone and antifungal. Couldn’t get antifungal til Saturday. Friday however, i noticed her breathing wasn’t the same, and heard fluid in her lungs. She had a red tinge color of drainage on her nostrils as well as her right nostril swollen closed. More sores popped up and got worse. Her tongue had red dots all over it and the sores were bleeding more. Her nails and gums were turning bluish purple/grey. And she was weaker and weaker. Saturday (June 2) it was so bad. She couldn’t stand to go to the bathroom, her sores were worse. There was one i noticed that Wednesday that was red and by Saturday it was purple/black. We made the hard decision to put her to sleep because we saw the decline was so quick and she was just so miserable. She was just 1 year and 5 months. She was lethargic, had pain and swelling in her limbs, the wounds kept “popping up”, fever was gone after the hospital visit, it affected all of her systems, nervous system (sudden blindness), heart, lungs, skin, she didnt even respond to her name on the last day. Multiple sores on her tongue as well as ulcers on her gums and mouth, no response to meds either. I got a copy of her records from hospital and the blood panel (to me) revealed she was also in liver failure. She had a lot of normal low/high levels that were borderline. Anyway, i know that’s long but i’m Just curious as to how Breezie ended up. This is the closest i could find to what happened with my husky.
June 25, 2018
Christy S.
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Collie husky
Hunter
18 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sores
Sores Rash Itchy Sleepy
Hi there my baby is 18 months old he is a rescue I believe he is collie husky , he just got bravacto for ticks he has had it last year though , but now he has open wounds and sores and rashes and a small growth that looks like a peanut it is in his private area and a little on his belly , I heard that there has been a few fatalities with bravacto , so I need an emercgemy vet visit ? Or if you could tell me a cream to buy I am a single mom and didnt budget for vet Bill's, of course if that's what has to be done I will find a way but if I could avoid a costly vet bill it would really help a lot, thanks in advance for any info u might have , I have pictures to if that helps
April 29, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
The signs that you are describing aren't likely caused by the Bravecto, but might be a bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection that needs to be treated. Since I can't examine Hunter, I can't diagnose what might be going on, and he should see your veterinarian. Hopefully it is a simple problem with a simple solution!
April 29, 2018
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Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $250 - $2,000
Average Cost
$1,500
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
