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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:
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
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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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Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Rudy
9 Months

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Anemia
Fever
Lethargy
Frequent Urination
Our 9 month old wire haired pointing griffons (littermates) have gotten sick a few times since we got them in August. Mostly together (a day or so a part), but sometimes only the little boy. Our vet has has no luck in diagnosing them, but says it's probably a bacterial infection. They keep testing them for various diseases coming up with no positive results other that he is anemic and has had a few UTI's. She now wants to test him for "rabbit fever" and limes disease. Something is either causing him to get sick (we live on a cattle ranch with cows, chickens, barn cats, elk, deer, etc so they're exposed to poop, mud, etc). We are looking to get a second opinion, but are drained financially and emotionally as it's hard to watch him in pain. When he's at his worst, he will get high fevers up to 105, super lethargic - won't get up off bed or couch, even peed in his dog bed the other night and just laid in it all night, won't drink or eat, is clammy/sweaty with his fevers with shivering (just like a human, didn't realize dogs would have those same symptoms with a fever) so needless to say, it's hard to see him in pain like that. He even moans and groans when he's at his worse as if he's having body pains or aches. It's awful. Any input would be super helpful? Anyone seen these symptoms before? No vomitting and some runny stool, not always full on diareha, but definitely soft usually. He pees alot, not frequently, but for 3-4 times longer than his sister. He has always had more runny stool, we've changed his food twice as our vet said he has a sensitive GI system and always poops/squats 3-4 times rather than just getting it done in one squat like his sister. He used to also have a problem holding his urine - he'd tinkled all around the house even if he was potty trained and would go by the door. It would just all the sudden hit him or he wouldn't have control it seemed like.
April 23, 2018
0 Recommendations
Some dogs get sick more than others and on a cattle ranch there is a never ending supply of material which may cause a dog to be sick, especially if they are immunosuppressed. Infections, parasites, toxins, foreign objects among other causes can lead to similar symptoms; a test of the faeces to look for particular pathogen would be useful along with sensitivity testing. I cannot point out a particular cause due to the vague nature of the symptoms and their correlation to infections. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 24, 2018
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stradfordshire
Spencer
8 Years

1 found this helpful

1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Constant Need Of Peeing. Dhiarhea
So our Stradforshire terrier who has IBD Had a Cyst that was removed. He was placed on antibiotics while his sticthes which were located very close to his butt healed. After about a week and a half of healing we noticed the stitch area was red and swollen. We then took him in to get the stitches removed and placed him on the recommended antibiotics which were from a pouch and cant remember the name. So now he is having problems peeing none if any comes out, and his poo is soupy with dhiarrhea. he does not appear to be in any pain and plays, but the vet said the test shows he has urine in his blood, and she felt en enlarged enflamed prostate....Could it be some sort of infection from the antibiotics,,,He was fine and doing great as always before the surgery and Antibiotics. Any suggestion might help. I hear streptocaucus infections can cause this...She is administering antibiotics for the inflamed prostate.
April 6, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
If Spencer is not neutered, prostate disease can be an underlying problem. Antibiotics would not cause an infection, but there may be complications related to the location of the surgery. WIthout knowing more details about his situation, it is hard for me to comment, but if he isn't improving, it would be best to follow up with his veterinarian, as they can see him and know more about his specific situation.
April 6, 2018
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Maltipoo
Annie
8 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Refusal To Eat, Lethargic, Restless
My 8 yr old Maltipoo has an itchy skin bacterial infection on different areas of her body. She had her annual vaccinations yesterday and I was given Rilexine antibiotics to be given 2x per day. THE Vet called this morning with her blood test results and left a message that she wanted to talk to me about the blood test, but she had to leave a message. I'm still waiting for her to call me back. I gave Annie her first dose last night. She refused to eat anything today and appears very restless, laying down but fidgety as though she can't get comfortable. I haven't given her anymore pills as I'm concerned she's having an allergic reaction to the meds. I'm really worried about my little girl.
April 4, 2018
0 Recommendations
Without knowing more about why your Veterinarian wanted to speak with you about the blood results, I cannot really comment; Rilexine (cephalexin) may cause a stomach upset which may lead to a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and other side effects of administration. Wait to speak with your Veterinarian before doing anything else. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM https://us.virbac.com/files/live/sites/usa-public/files/pdf/PI/Rilexine%20PI.pdf
April 4, 2018
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Labrador Retriever
Remy Martin
7 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

my baby Remy is a 7 year old lab mix he's shaking, depress, drooling, lying around, and want to stay outside in the cold. it is cold out there> my son's girlfriend was sick, she had strept throat just last week. My mom has it and the dog live in her room, she's coughing spiting in her napkins and he is right in her face being loyal he is naturally concern for her did she make him sick.
Beagle
Freckles
13 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Eating
Freckles is a Beagle mixed with something else. He was 13 years old. He's been pretty healthy except for a lump of fatty material that his vet said it was common in older dogs. It didn't seem to hurt him or bother him in any way. Three weeks ago we traveled out of town. Made a stop at a dog park mid point of the trip. The first full day of being out of town, I got back from work and noticed him limping. He'd hurt himself before jumping from the couch to the floor. Where we were staying had stairs, so I thought he had tumbled down the stairs. His leg wasn't broken though. Then he stopped eating and started becoming lethargic. The vet treated him for bacterial infection. I'm curious to find out what would cause a bacterial infection in him?
Labrador Retriever
Milla
3 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Skin Infection
First of all, thank you very much for having such a great program. Our dog is a three and half year, black lab, 82 lbs active(runs loose twice a day in the woods and on the golf course in the late evening when golfers are finishing up. She and her older Pit/lab 7 1/2 yr old do this activity together. The pit/lab never gets sick and the both share the same swampy/clean streams of water holes. The lab keeps getting sores, scabs and smelly discharge half way down her frontal neck. Sometimes it goes away and then it returns. I try to use the collar as little as possible. What can I put on her sore to clear up the infection, what are the possible diagnosis from the vet?. Any information would be greatly appreciated in preparation for the trip to the Vets office, thanks again
German Shepherd
Odin
7 Months

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Wound Infection, Delayed Healing.
German shepherd pup, 7 months old, had torn scrotum from dog park dog fight. Vet stitched him up same afternoon with dissolvable stitches and put him on Enrofloxacin 68mg BID. Head cone applied, but pup was able to get it off. Licked wound, no chewing/ripping. Little swelling. Secured cone with shoelaces and has been secure since. Wound partially opened with some purulent drainage about 3-5 days post op. Continued with med, but was not healing. Returned to Vet and med switched to Ciprofloxacin 500mg. BID 8 days after surgery as well as sent out a culture/sensitivity. During this time, I read that these meds should not be used on puppies under 1 year and can cause joint damage. Med given for 5 days until CS results returned. CS returned with alpha hemolytic strep and leclercia adecarboxylata 13 days post op. Vet switched to Amoxcillin trihydrate and clavulanate potassium 500mg per 12 hours starting today. Wound appears clean and trying to heal these last few days, altho a surface scab comes off repeatedly and wound reopens. About 1/2" long x 3/8" wide now. Was double the size. Dog remains inside and activity severely limited until wound heals completely. Appetite good, excreting good, behavior good. Most concerned about possible joint damage or tendon rupture. What's your take?
German Shepard Great Pyrenees mix
Max
3 Years

0 found this helpful

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Coughing
Breathing Difficulty
Nasal Discharge
Loss Of Appetite
We just adopted him from a animal shelter near by and he hasnt really been wanting to eat, though he has been drinking a lot of water today he just started to have yellow nasal discharge. He has been coughing but i thought nothing of it till now i dont have the money to take him to the vet or anything and i dont know what to do. according to the animal shelter he is all up to date on his shots except his rabies so i dont understand what exactly is going on.
Bacterial Infection (Streptococcus) Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $250 - $2,000
Average Cost
$1,500

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