| Does your dog have a UTI? Signs, Symptoms and Top Natural Remedies.
UTI stands for urinary tract infection. Itâs what happens when bacteria such as E coli (which accounts for 40-50% of bladder infections in dogs), Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, or Streptococcus infecting your dogâs bladder or kidneys. More common in female dogs.
A bladder infection is called cystitis and a kidney infection is called pyelonephritis. But often they get lumped together under the term âUTI.â
Signs and Symptoms:
⢠Frequent urination
⢠Your dog may suddenly want to go outside all the time and squat
⢠Passing small amounts of urine at a time
⢠Bloody or cloudy urine
⢠Accidents in the house
⢠Strong smelling urine (sometimes)
⢠Excessive drinking
⢠Urinary incontinence, they may dribble urine
⢠Lethargy (tiredness) in some cases
⢠Straining to urinate or having difficulty urinating
Your dog may be posturing to urinate and not getting much urine out. As a word of caution, if your dog is straining frequently and unable to urinate, contact your vet immediately.
Diagnosis
A veterinary exam with a urinalysis is a great way to start. Ensure this is a simple UTI, and that your dog is passing urine ( ie not obstructed with a stone). If all appears OK (ie uncomplicated UTI), then consider some of the Home Remedies
FLUID: Provide your dog with an abundance of fresh water.
Switch your dog to canned food, which has a higher water content than dry food. Or, you can add water to your dogâs dry food.
For some dogs subcutaneous fluids are used.
GOOD BACTERIA: probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that help your dog on antibiotics, and help boost immune response.
In particular, probiotics in the Lactobacillus group may help treat and prevent UTIs, according to some older 2017 research. They may do this by preventing harmful bacteria from attaching to urinary tract cells and producing hydrogen peroxide, a strong antibacterial agent, in urine.
HONEY: honey in particular is very effective again many of the common bacteria to stop bacteria such as e.coli that can be causing these recurrent urinary tract infections. Doses of 1/2 teaspoon/10lbs twice daily.
GREEN TEA and HONEY. Green Tea also has many antibacterial properties, working especially well combined with the honey. 1 tablespoon of green tea, mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey. Give 1/2 that amount twice a day to a 10lb dog. Start by making 1 cup of concentrated Green Tea.
ACV for UTI. Making the urine more acidic can help kill the bacteria, and Apple Cider Vinegar can do just that. It though can be difficult to give to your dog. 1 tablespoon of ACV mixed with 1 teaspoon of Honey. Give ½ twice a day to a 10lb dog.
CRANBERRY and D-MANNOSE. Ingredients in Cranberries, as well as the simple sugar Mannose have been studied for UTIâs as they can prevent the adhesion of the common bacteria (E.coli), to the bladder cell wall. Many dog parents find these work especially well in combination. Cranberry concentrate at 1 tablespoon/20lbs twice day (mixed with water). D-mannose dose of 100mg/10lbs daily.
Whatâs in Our New URINARY SUPPORT Formula
- Cranberry Extract: Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, which have antioxidant-like effects, and nutrients which can prevent bacterial adhesion to the bladder wall.
- D-Mannose: D-mannose is a naturally occurring simple sugar that the body uses to help maintain a healthy bladder lining and help eliminate bacteria.
- Astragalus: Astragalus is a herb that can enhance the immune system and is traditionally used for Kidney disease.
- Marshmallow Root:Marshmallow Root is commonly used for Urinary Tract disease as it soothes the mucous membranes of the bladder wall lining.
- Licorice Root: Licorice Root is a natural anti-inflammatory that can naturally decrease urinary tract inflammation.
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