What is E. Coli Infection?
E. Coli infection is more commonly found in newborn puppies in the first few weeks of life; however, it can be found in dogs of any age. The onset is often very sudden, and can lead to serious complications, so it must be treated immediately. E. coli infection can lead to blood poisoning, or septicemia, and has been found to compound with parvovirus in dogs and puppies, leading to an increased risk of death by parvovirus.
The bacterium Escherichia coli, more commonly referred to as E. coli, resides in the lower intestines of dogs and is typically benign. However, when highly concentrated, it causes an acute reaction known as colibacillosis or E. coli infection.E. Coli Infection Average Cost
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Symptoms of E. Coli Infection in Dogs
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Dehydration
- Rapid heart rate
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Malaise/weakness
- Diarrhea
- Low body temperature
- Bluish gums, nostrils, ears, lips, and anus
Causes of E. Coli Infection in Dogs
E. Coli infection is typically caused by puppies being born to an unhealthy mother. Puppies' immune systems are typically supplemented by their mother's colostrum, the antibody-rich milk produced soon after birth. When puppies do not receive colostrum for any reason, they suffer increased vulnerability to various infections. Risk factors are poor nutrition of birthing mother, unsanitary or crowded birthing environment, mammary gland infection of a nursing mother who has E. coli infection herself and prolonged birth. Causes also include contact with an infected animal or objects, such as bedding, that has been contaminated by an infected animal. It is because of these causes that E. coli infection is often contracted in conjunction with other infections, commonly parvovirus.
The best way to prevent E. coli infection in dogs is to maintain sanitary conditions in a birthing environment and maintain proper nutrition in a pregnant dog. Less commonly, dogs can get E. coli infection from contaminated food or water. In common kennel areas, regular cleaning of facilities is a source of prevention, as is proper nutrition. Feeding a raw diet may increase a dog’s risk, as can exposure to an infected dog, cat, or person. Be sure to maintain proper hygiene for your dog and yourself. Wash your dog’s food bowl after each meal, if you have multiple pets and you suspect one is infected, keep them separate. Additionally, wash your hands after handling food and dogs.
Diagnosis of E. Coli Infection in Dogs
A speedy diagnosis will depend upon seeking prompt veterinary care and describing your dog's risk factors for E. Coli infection. A sample of your dog's feces will be taken and examined underneath a microscope, and the veterinarian will conduct a physical rectal examination to check for abnormalities. A complete blood count will be taken to measure red and white blood cells, as a decrease in white blood cells is one of the first signs of parvovirus. Your dog's blood will also be analyzed for a biochemistry profile, which will determine if E. coli is present in your dog's blood and at what levels, as well as indicate if your dog has blood poisoning. A urinalysis will also indicate if there are any further abnormalities, which may indicate other concurrent issues.
Treatment of E. Coli Infection in Dogs
If your dog tests positive for E. coli infection, he will very likely need to be hospitalized in order to achieve stabilization and begin treatment. This will include an IV in order to restore and maintain fluid and electrolyte levels. In the case of severe dehydration accompanied by diarrhea, your dog will be given a solution of glucose. Typically antibiotics will be prescribed to treat the E. coli infection itself. Because of the rapid onset of the infection, timing of treatment correlates to a dog’s chance of success. There is very high morbidity, over 95%, in young puppies that are left untreated, and a chance that death can occur even with treatment.
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Recovery of E. Coli Infection in Dogs
Provide your dog with a warm and very comfortable space to rest, possibly in a cage, during recovery period. Restrict activity and monitor vitals and behavior carefully. The veterinarian may have specific nutritional instructions for your dog, such as bottle-feeding, during this period. If your puppy is under six weeks old, and the mother is unavailable or infected, your puppy may continue to require intravenous nutrients and hospital monitoring.
You will bring your dog back into the veterinarian for regular blood tests in order to monitor the levels of E. coli infection in your dog’s blood. Be sure to contact the veterinarian immediately should you notice a change in your dog’s body temperature and health.
Cost of E. Coli Infection in Dogs
An E. Coli infection is dangerous for anyone to suffer from, even your furry family members. For puppies, the timing of the treatment is just as important as the treatment itself. A trip to the veterinarian’s office is always necessary! The veterinarian will need to hospitalize your dog and start him on intravenous fluids to help regulate his electrolytes and prevent severe dehydration. This can cost between $67 and $95. If severe dehydration has already occurred then, your dog may need an oral solution of glucose which can cost around $40 on average. Your dog will also need antibiotics to fight off the infection. Normally, antibiotics can run between $10 and $100.
E. Coli Infection Average Cost
From 36 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$1,200
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E. Coli Infection Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Great Dane
Henry
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Licking At Genitals
Lethargy
Lameness
No Appetite
High Heart Beat
High Temperature
Licking And Biting Legs
My dog has e coli in his bladder which is being treated by a second dose of Calvasepin but is also now showing signs of his personality changing and is losing his balance and intermittent lameness. A friend has mentioned that a dogs brain can be affected by E Coli, can you confirm if this is true and if so is this likely to be permanent .
5 weeks ago he was operated on for bloat and has had his stomach now secured to his side to prevent this is future, I don't know if any of this is relevant
Thank you in advance for your help.
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Infection of the central nervous system in dogs is rare, normally occurrences are with neonatal pups; septicemia is a more common problem. Adverse reactions to Clavaseptin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) are usually signs of vomiting and diarrhoea; although skin sensitivity is another reaction which may be causing the licking and biting of the legs and genitals, this should be discussed with your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVMwww.vetary.com/dog/condition/septicemia-bacteremia
July 26, 2017
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Beagle mix
Colt
2-3 months old
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Stiffness
Watery Stools
Throwing Up
In Pain
My puppy has been really sick and pooping muddy water basically. We just found out the water at our house is infected with e.coli and a boil advisory in tact and it's been 2 days since they put it but we are just now finding out and he has been drinking the water. Should we take him to the vet?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
It would be best to take Colt to your Veterinarian as E. coli may cause severe gastroenteritis in some dogs, especially puppies with undeveloped immune systems. Also, if you haven’t already, discuss vaccination of Colt with them if you haven’t started; he may need to be treated for E. coli first. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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dachshund chihuahua mix
anonymous
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling
Hi, my dog got E. Coli and Staph while he was at the animal hospital. He has been there for the past two weeks because he got hit by a car and had to get an FHO and a leg amputation.
The hospital told me he got an abcess last week after his surgeries, they sent cultures a few days later to see what kind of bacteria it could be, and then just told us today (about a week later) that they found out he got E. Coli and Staph. What would have caused him to get these bacterias? Isn't it their fault since he got it while under their care? Do you think it can be due to their poor hygiene and surgical procedures? one of the posts above mentioned e. coli associated with urinary tract infections...they put a urinary catheter in him, could the infection have occurred because they didn't clean his genitals and/or the catether properly? Also, he hasn't been able to walk, so he probably has been pooping while lying down/in his living area, could it have come from them not cleaning his feces from his body or not cleaning his living area properly?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Repeated catheterization may cause urinary infections even with the best hygiene. Post surgery infections may be caused by a variety of causes including poor surgical hygiene and technique; I cannot legally comment on whether the cause is the Veterinarian’s fault or not. In cases of road traffic accidents, wounds from the trauma may be infected and cause infections and abscesses which wouldn’t be the fault of the practice; some road traffic accident cases can be quite difficult to correct. Both bacteria isolated are in a dog’s environment and their faeces in normal everyday life; immunosuppressed animals are more prone to these ‘garden variety’ infections than healthy dogs. If you have concerns regarding the practice that your dog is in you can request to move to a different practice. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Miniature Schnauzer
Charli
30 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Discharge Licking Genitals
after swab was cultured. I opted for treatment of an anti biotic before getting her sedated to check for urinary stones etc . She was on another anti biotic for a week prior to the current but this type caused her to get breathless. She is now in 240mg twice daily .....half tablet ......of trisul. (Nz) she has been on for two weeks thus far and I'm still using a numbing anti biotic cream too as there is still obvious signs of discharge. Had been yellow ish and thick previously. No signs of this abating and wondered what your recommendations are please
July 26, 2017
1 Recommendations
If there is still discharge present, I would recommend swabbing again to see if there are any pathogens still present and to determine the type of discharge (from infection or contact dermatitis). Ensuring the genitals are clean is important, however sometime discharge may occur which is just due to skin inflammation and not infectious in origin; again visit your Veterinarian for another swab. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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E. Coli Infection Average Cost
From 36 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$1,200
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
