dog has suddenly started peeing indoors

Question
I have a year and a half old cocker spaniel who is housebroken, but in the past week she has started peeing in the house. I take her out on a very regular basis so it's not like she is here and doesn't have someone to take her out. Up until a week ago she had never pottied in the house since she was a baby. Why has she suddenly started doing this... could she have a bladder or kidney infection? Thank you for your help.

Answer
I'd say you have about a 95% chance this is a simple Urinary Tract infection.  If you can collect a urine sample (first morning is best) in a sterile container just take it directly into your vet's office.  No need to take the dog.

If you haven't done this before, go out with her..watch carefully and be near...when she goes just stick the small container under her from behind.  You don't need much.

If you can't take it directly in - refrigerate it.  Take it in with some ice around it...not "in" it..:)

A round of antibiotics will fix things up pretty quickly.  This is fairly common and if it becomes chronic a little Cranberry Extract (not juice..extract) daily will prevent it.
Any health food store will have it.  It doesn't "cure" anything but there's something in the extract that prevents bacteria from adhering to the tract walls and thereby preventing infection.

The old wive's tale that cranberry will cure a UTI isn't true - but the extract will help prevent it IF it becomes a chronic problem.  This is probably a one-off...but keep that in mind should it happen again.  It comes in capsules and you'd only use 1/4 of a capsule daily.
You'd still need some antibiotics if she gets a 2nd infection..but after that, I'd use it
for prevention.
Delores