| Urinary Tract Infections
SIGNS
Your pet cries or strains when urinating. You see blood in the urine. Your pet is urinating more frequently and may be urinating throughout the house.
Your male dog has a visible discharge from his penis sheath. There may also be an inability to hold urine the normal amount of time/apparent incontinence.
Bladder infections are localized to the bladder; there are rarely signs of infection in other body systems: no fever, no appetite loss, and no change in the blood tests.
CAUSES
Many urinary tract infections(UTIs) are caused by bacteria that have spread from the urethra. Some are due to bladder stones secondary to diet. Others are a primary inflammation of the lining of the bladder wall.
Of special note are apparent bladder infections in un-neutered male dogs; these are often an infection of the prostate gland, requiring antibiotics and neutering by your veterinarian.
In cats, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) needs special attention. It has a strong association with environmental stressors, and you need to be aware that these cats are especially sensitive. Environmental stressors lead to bladder inflammation.
SOLUTIONS
SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN. If your cat is straining to urinate and not producing any urine, it is imperative to have him or her examined immediately. Your petmay be blocked with a bladder stone, in which case emergency care is required. It is a good idea to have urine checked for any urinary tract problems; you are then able to use the appropriate remedy knowing what the specific problem is.
DIET. Yes, there are the veterinary diets, but here are a few other things to consider. More moisture is needed. If you have a cat with repeated urinary tract infections, he or she should only be fed canned food. If you have a dog with repeated urinary tract infections, he or she should be fed a combination of dry food mixed with water, canned food, and some homemade diets.
One of the holistic beliefs is that allergies can cause inflammation, affecting your pet’s immune system, leading to bladder irritation and infection. My suggestions are to avoid giving carbohydrates completely to cats, and minimal carbohydrates to dogs. For most cats and dogs, the high-protein diets are ideal.
CRANBERRY. A traditional home remedy used for people with recurrent urinary tract infections. The beneficial effects are from the acidification of the urine and by making it more difficult for the bacteria to adhere to the bladder wall. The dose of the juice is oneml per pounddaily, and the dose of tablets, such as CranActin, is one-half capsule per ten pounds daily.
PROBIOTICS. Probiotics are increasingly being used for people with recurrent urinary tract infections, and have been found to be increasingly helpful in pets. They seem to have anti-inflammatory qualities as well as decreasing the likelihood of the bacteria recolonizing in the bladder. If your pet is on antibiotics for a urinary tract infection, it is a good idea to supplement with lactobacillus to restore the healthy bacteria that are lost. The dose is one-fourth capsule per ten pounds of body weight daily.
FLUID. In all cases of infections or stones, additional fluid intake is mandatory in treatment and preventing recurrence. For cats, I suggest feeding only canned food. For dogs, add water to their dried food.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
If your cat has been diagnosed with FLUTD, or has a bladder condition, he or she may benefit from some of the following remedies:
FLUID. In all cases of bladder inflammation, additional fluid intake is mandatory in treatment and preventing recurrence. For cats, I suggest feeding only canned food.
NATURAL HORMONE. If your cat feels happier, she can have a lower incidence of FLUTD. Pheromones in the facial glands convey messages of peace and contentment. Cats will not spray if they are feeling happy. A product called Feliway, available from your veterinarian, contains these facial pheromones. This can be sprayed on your cat and on the areas that have been sprayed twice daily for three to four weeks.
GLUCOSAMINE and CHONDROITIN: Two very common supplements used for arthritis, glucosamine and chondroitin, can also be helpful for cats with feline lower urinary tract disease. Glucosamine helps replenish a compound found in the lining of the bladder wall, called glycosaminoglycans (GAG), while chondroitin helps protect the GAG from being broken down. By supplementing with glucosamine and chondroitin, GAG is replenished, and the bladder inflammation, along with clinical signs of frequent urination, and blood in the urine can be resolved. The cat glucosamine dose is 100mg per ten pounds of body weight daily. The chondroitin dose is 50mg per ten poundsof body weight daily.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES: The goal here is to make your home happier for your cat: Minimize stress, and make play time with people/other animals a priority.Ensure that your cat is not confined, and that there are quiet areas, individual litter boxes, and individual food and water bowls. Ensure adequate scratching posts and toys.Lastly keep the food relatively constant, slowly making changes over the period of a month or so.
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