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
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Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Brussels griffon
Lydia
13 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
13 year old female Brussels Griffon
Black leathery stinky skin on paws, nose/eye area and private parts.
Just finished a round of antifungal meds but has been throwing up every meal, lethargic, scratching at her eyes and nose, licking paws and stomach area. She has an appetite and wants to eat, but the only food she can keep down is boiled chicken and rice. This girl has terrible allergies and has been on numerous rounds of steroids, antibiotics, allergy meds and antifungals. The last CBC, urinalysis, etc. did not show systemic disease but she has gone blind now and does feel feverish. Any thoughts?
Nov. 3, 2017
0 Recommendations
Lichenification (dark tough skin) is a common finding with chronic fungal infections or continuous scratching from allergies; it is important to determine an underlying cause but if the cause is an allergy, then finding the specific allergen can be difficult and unrewarding. Management options with various medications including antihistamines and corticosteroids may be useful but do not get to the underlying cause; culture of a swab of the skin may result in a useful sample for culture and sensitivity but I would start thinking about visiting a Dermatologist at this point. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 3, 2017
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American Staffordshire Terrier
Mia
8 Months
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I have a 8month old American Staffy, she's been de-sexed and unfortunately two lots of stitches on her paw! Since than it's been 6 weeks she's now fully recovered! I'm just worried because after play she's panting and extremely tired., even when I arrived home from work she's not as excited or jumping around like she use to, is this due to her time of not playing or is there something I should be worried about? She was on antibiotics for most of the 6 weeks!
Sept. 12, 2017
0 Recommendations
By now I wouldn’t expect to see any effects from the surgery, suturing of the paw or side effects of any medications; it is normal for a dog to get tired from exercise, but a dog Mia’s age should have good stamina and should be able to play for hours. Apart from possible infections, pulmonary disorders and other usual suspects; Staffordshire Bull Terriers may be affected by an elongated soft palate, narrowing of the nasal passage and everted laryngeal saccules (combined referred to as Brachycephalic Syndrome) may also cause breathing difficulties. If would be best to have your Veterinarian give Mia a check up to make sure nothing serious is going on. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 12, 2017
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Cocker Spaniel
Blue
12 Years
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1 found this helpful
My boy is very poorly. I have been telling my old vet for sometime he was not well. He was having intermittent problems with his backend giving way and a cough. I was told he was fine just old. He then went on to develop an eye infection. After several antibiotic drops and my dog not getting worse I changed vet. They run blood urine tests he also started getting discharge from his boys bits so they took a swab from this. While waiting for tests to come back he has taken a turn for the worst. He could not walk his eyes went back into his head and his breathing was very shallow. I rushed him to vet they say his bloods show infection. They gave him a shot of antibiotics and painkillers. Also gave my special food. I have him home now with clavasptin every 12 hrs and metacam. He is still very poorly he will get on his feet now and then and I have got him outside to wee but his legs give way. He will eat the food but you can see that it's a strain for him he will take water now and then too. before yesterday he was drinking a lot. Vets say they hope to see improvement in him today and to ring later with his progress. I'm so worried about him is there anything else I can to to make things easier for him.
Sept. 12, 2017
1 Recommendations
I know it is difficult to see your loved one like this, especially if you believe treatment was delayed before you changed Veterinarian; at this time the best course of action is to give the prescribed medication, follow your new Veterinarian’s instructions and offer to Blue excellent Nursing care by ensuring that he remains hydrated and is able to do his business etc… Depending on the specific infection, recovery could take a week or longer; each day with improvement is a positive sign. I wouldn’t recommend doing anything else other than you are doing already. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 12, 2017
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Weimaraner
Mac
4 Months
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Frequent Urination
Genital Discharge
My 4 month old male weimaraner puppy has had a strep uti for 7 weeks now. He pees very frequently. First he was on antibiotics for two weeks, and it wasn't gone, so he was put on a different antibiotic, which he wound up being resistant two. Then he was switched to amoxicillin. After two weeks now on amoxicillin, he was getting better, until he got sick from eating mulch. We had to stop the antibiotic for one day and he quickly went back to peeing every ten minutes. Is there anything you can recommend doing. We are very frustrated!
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
If there are signs of resistance to an antibiotic, it is best to have a culture and sensitivity test done to determine the exact type of bacteria and to determine the most suitable antibiotic to treat it as just rotating through different antibiotics may cause more harm than good. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Yea, we already had the culture done. That's how I knew it was a strep infection, and also what brought us to the Amoxicillin. I am just concerned why after 3 weeks on it, it's not going away!
July 26, 2017
Mac'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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