[jille]

How do I know if my mini daschund has a bladder infection? She is holding in her urine and peeing uncontrollably through the house.

[labman]

It sounds like it, but even what seems like a behavior problem, should start with a visit to the vet. You can't train away a physical problem. Most of them need treatment by a vet.

[RubyPitbull]

jille, since you didn't mention the age of your dog, it is hard to tell if she has a UTI or if it is a training issue.

If your dog is "holding" in her urine when you are walking her outside, and then urinates everywhere in the house, it is not a UTI but a training issue. I would suggest reading labman's sticky at the top of the dog forum for training help. If you can't find the information easily, please let us know.

If she is drinking an excessive amount of water and urinating both inside and outside the house more than usual, squatting frequently to the point that nothing is coming out but she appears to be straining or uncomfortable, then it is more than likely a UTI.

If you have never experienced a dog having a bladder infection, and you still aren't sure what you are dealing with, the best way to find out if it is a Urinary Tract Infection, is to have the vet examine her as labman suggests. You will need to bring a sample into the vet's office so that he/she can tell you if there is definitely a UTI. If you have never collect a urine specimen from your dog before, take a very small clean aluminum pie tin or a small plastic container, and place it under her as soon as she squats to pee. Catch whatever urine you can. Transfer it into a small clean container that you can seal up tightly with a lid and bring to the vets office for testing asap. If you can't get to the vets office immediately, you can place it in the refrigerator and bring it in to the vets office in the morning.

Please let us know how she is doing.