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.
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Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $250 - $2,000
Average Cost
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Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
pit bull terrier
Chubby Martinez
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Face And Neck
On March 2 my pit bull chubby came in with a small lump on his neck. On april 3 we took him to the vet because the whole left side of his face had become severely swollen. The vet treated him for a bee sting. She gave him benadryl and an antoibotic as well as something for his appetite. However hours after leaving the vet we noticed the swelling had gotten worse and continies to travel up his face. He has no wounds on his neck or face. He has an appetite, and has been taking antibiotics once a day. fyi i am being treated for strep throat as of today. What do you think could be wrong with my dog.
April 3, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Without seeing Chubby, I have a hard time commenting on what might be going on, but if he isn't responding as expected to the medications that your veterinarian gave him, it would be a good idea to follow up with them and see what is happening with him. I hope that he is okay.
April 3, 2018
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Chihuahua
Beans
13 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Runny Nose
Runny Nose Sneezing
My chihuahua has had a runny nose for about a week with yellow mucus and he is sneezing a lot. I took him to the vet he did not have a fever and she said his lungs sounded clear. She prescribed clavamox twice a day for seven days and gave him the flu vaccine. My dog does not go outside except for my back yard so I told her I was very sure it isnt the flu but we gave him the vaccine just for precaution. He does not seem to be doing any better he still has a runny nose and is still sneezing. He isn't really coughing but sometimes he kind of hacks a little to clear the mucus I think but I dont really know.
March 23, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Beans may need a recheck with your veterinarian, and possible x-rays, if he isn't responding to the antibiotics. As dogs age, there is an increased chance of growths, and disease occurring, and he may have a problem with his nasal passages or lungs. I hope that he is okay.
March 23, 2018
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Golden Retreiver
walleee
2 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My dog had a object remove from his incision, the surgery went well and he was discharge after 2 days. When he was home, he was very lethargic, didn’t want to eat but would drink. Vet told me that it was normal and just to wait, after 5 days, he was still very lethargic and leaking from his incision. i took him back to the vet and they told me they had to open the incision and clean it up because he had an infection. I let them do that and they told me now that his recovery will take longer. Is my dog in danger from further risk?
Dec. 23, 2017
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Without more details, I can't comment on whether your dog will continue to have problems with the incision, as I don't know where the incision was or why it was there in the first place, what surgery he had done to give him an incision. If he is on antibiotics, typically they don't develop infections at the incisions, but healing can be complicated if they have other underlying diseases, or the surgery was one at risk of contamination. If he continues to have problems, your veterinarian may want to culture the incision.
Dec. 23, 2017
it was a surgery to remove an object from his intestine. when he was discharge the first time they gave him antibiotics but later change to a stronger antibiotics when they notice a small infection on the outside but it didn’t help because my dog would not get better. it wasn’t until i had to rush him back to the vet that they said they had to open the incision and clean inside and order a culture for the incision. He is a healthy two year old dog with no disease, or pre conditon. Once the culture comes back and his given the right antibiotics, what are the chances of him getting better. I don’t want my dog to die over any mistakes done either by me or the vet. I’m just afraid his not going to get better and get worse
Dec. 23, 2017
walleee's Owner
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Mini Schnauzer Chin
Schatzie Grace
8 years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
Here is an update on my mini schnauzer. After Schatzie took all the meds, two days later she threw up and was laying around not feeling good. The vet went ahead and put her on two more weeks of enrafloxacin 68.0 mg. He recommends an xray for $ 275. I don't have it to do the xray. I am unemployed. She has another week left on the antibiotic, but I am concerned. I have her on dry Royal Canin Urinary So dog food. Today her belly looks full, this is the first day it looked that way and I have not given her as much food today. So I am getting concerned again. I don't know what to do, I can't afford anymore treatment. With the food, meds, tests and dr charges this has cost over $600 and 2 months of worry. Thanks for your help.
Dec. 4, 2017
1 Recommendations
Further to your previous question two and a half weeks ago: There are a few reasons why the stomach looks larger which may be due to gas, fluid or enlargement of abdominal organs; without an examination I cannot say for sure. If there is a long term infection, culture and sensitivity testing should be done to identify a suitable antibiotic rather than relying on the same old antibiotic as before; culture and sensitivity testing is relatively inexpensive at $50 (approximately). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 5, 2017
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mini schnauzer
Schatzie
8 Years
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My 8yr old female schnauzer had an ear infection and uti at the same time, was given amoxl/clavulanate antibiotic for ten days and an allergy medicine, hydroxyzine pamoate 25mg. A few days later she began to lick and show signs of it still there. The vet put her on antibiotics for 14 more days, day 12, she threw up and got lethargic, and very sick with a swollen belly. At the vet he drew blood, no pancretitus, nothing irregular but her white count was a bit higher than it should be. He said it indicates a bacterial infection. Gave her a steriod shot for the vomiting, was not dehdyrated yet, and a new antibiotic for the bacterial infection, enrafloxacin 68.0 mg. This is day two, she is showing a tiny improvement, not as swollen, moving around and drinking and eating ok. I have her on Royal Canin low fat canned for her tummy. I have spent over $500 on her and a month of worry... she is still sick. How long should it take for her to recover? Thank you.
Nov. 19, 2017
0 Recommendations
Recovery would be dependent on the underlying cause and whether if it is infectious, the antibiotic is suitable for that bacteria; if you are seeing improvement, I would just keep monitoring her for the time being and ensure that she is eating and drinking. I don’t like swapping from antibiotic to antibiotic blindly in these cases and would suggest a culture and sensitivity test if the the problem continues. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 19, 2017
After Schatzie took all the meds, two days later she threw up and was laying around not feeling good. The vet went ahead and put her on two more weeks of enrafloxacin 68.0 mg. He recommends an xray for $ 275. I don't have it to do the xray. I am unemployed. She has another week left on the antibiotic, but I am concerned. I have her on dry Royal Canin Urinary So dog food. Today her belly looks full, this is the first day it looked that way and I have not given her as much food today. So I am getting concerned again. I don't know what to do, I can't afford anymore treatment. With the food, meds, tests and dr charges this has cost over $600 and 2 months of worry. Thanks for your help.
Dec. 4, 2017
Schatzie's Owner
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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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