UTIs in dogs or cats are quite common.
There are some effective ways to treat it one way or another, perhaps also by applying natural remedies.
But to get there, you first need to know how to spot the signs and do prevention.
This is what we’ll cover below: How to recognize the signs and treat UTIs in cats or dogs?
Contents
What are Dog UTI symptoms?
There are some real signs that your pet is suffering from a urinary tract infection
– blood in the urine (hematuria) or cloudy and smelly urine
– if he has difficulty urinating (dysuria)
– if he moans while urinating (stranguria – pain when urinating)
– if he suddenly gets lost in the house
– if he asks to go out very frequently – increased the frequency of urination
– if he urinates very little
– if he licks the urinary tract
– if he has a fever
What causes UTIs in dogs?
UTIs are more common in females than in males due to a shorter urethra.
They are mainly caused by a bacterium called Escherichia coli or by staphylococci or proteus.
Among the leading causes of infectious cystitis, incontinence, urinary obstruction, anatomical abnormalities, and immunodeficiency contribute to recurrent cystitis.
The diagnosis of cystitis in dogs
The veterinarian performs a cytobacteriological examination of the urine (ECBU).
This test identifies germs, crystals, or bladder adenocarcinoma.
It then sets up processing depending on the configuration.
The cause is immediately evaluated, whether it is a stone, tumor, or deformity.
Then he prescribed antibiotics after performing an antibiogram to define the germ.
He then follows up with the patient by anticipating any complications such as possible incontinence that he can treat with substances that strengthen the tone of the bladder sphincter.
Home remedies for dog UTI
There are some simple ways to prevent UTIs:
– Diet has a major role in this prevention.
Be sure to give him high-quality kibble or canned food or if you have the chance, offer him a balanced barf diet.
– The cranberry is a small fruit that helps both animals and humans.
It helps to lower the pH of the urine thus preventing the development of bacteria in the kidneys.
However, you cannot give your dog cranberry juice which is way too sweet for him.
You will therefore have to consider the use of a suitable cranberry supplement (#ad).
– Probiotics also have an important role in the prevention of cystitis.
They help the development of beneficial bacteria.
You can try giving him goat’s milk.
He will surely agree to drink it straight away, otherwise, he just needs to add a little to his diet.
You can also add a probiotics supplement (#ad) suitable for dogs, this will allow you to protect them from infections, improve digestion and reduce possible allergies.
– Just like the cranberry, the apple cider vinegar helps lower the pH of urine and eliminates bacteria lodged in the kidneys.
Again, you can add a teaspoonful to his diet or even his water bowl for ten days.
– Vitamin C acidifies the urine which blocks the development of bacteria in the kidneys.
Add a vitamin C supplement (#ad) to his daily prevention regimen. Consider a dose of 250mg per day for optimal effect.
– Colloidal silver was not very well-known a few years ago. Yet its benefits are endless.
The particularity of this ionic solution is that it has antibiotic, antiviral, and fungicidal properties.
It is very versatile and can help treat many conditions in both dogs and humans.
Prefer a 10ppm silver solution (#ad) and make sure you have this product on hand at all times because it can help in the event of wounds, bites, allergy, infection …
In the case of cystitis, use colloidal silver as an antibiotic and give him 2 to 10ml (depending on the weight) 3 times a day for 10 days.
– Grooming is also important in preventing canine urinary problems.
Regular baths and careful maintenance of the urinary tract prevent many infections.
– Hydration is crucial to alleviate urinary problems.
Your dog must have water available at will and at all times. And even more when he suffers from an infection.
Remember that the more your dog drinks, the more bacteria his kidneys filter out when he urinates.
Canine urinary tract infection – homeopathic treatment
Most naturopathic veterinarians prescribe:
– Apis Mellifica which is indicated to relieve burning, difficulty urinating, and frequent urination
– Aconitum Napellus which is primarily indicated to soothe a dog distressed by burns from cystitis
– Nux Vomica is prescribed to relieve spasms, cramps, and burns.
For better efficiency, choose a 30CH dilution then let 3 granules melt in a little water, shake then administer the remedy with a syringe (without needle!) directly into the dog’s mouth 3 times a day.
As a loading dose, administer 3 granules of each product then repeat 2 times, spacing the intake by 15 minutes (total 3 doses).
The dosage is the same regardless of the dog’s weight.
Dog kidney stones and effective remedies
There are three different types of kidney stones in dogs.
- The most common, struvite, is composed of minerals (magnesium, ammonium, phosphate).
- Next comes calcium oxalate which is formed when urine is too acidic.
- The last one, ammonium urate has more to do with a genetic disorder.
Depending on the size of the stone, surgery may be scheduled to remove it.
But if small stones are in place, the procedure can be avoided except if the dog or cat is suffering from urinary difficulties or cystitis.
If your vet has detected the presence of crystals or small stones in your doggie’s kidneys, it may be wise to combine these three natural remedies :
For a 10 pounds dog:
– a teaspoon of honey
– a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
– two tablespoons of green tea
With luck, plenty of water to drink, and a more liquid diet, this simple remedy can help your dog clear small stones through the urinary tract.
Just give it a teaspoonful a day.
The taste is generally appreciated.
Note that this natural solution is just as effective for cat crystals.
If you have to deal with calcium oxalate stones, you will be amazed at how effective sodium bicarbonate is.
Its action is radical to make the urine more alkaline while raising the PH and thus reduce both stones and recurrence of infections urinary.
A study conducted on humans demonstrates its benefits with a dosage of 2000mg per day.
You can apply a dosage of 100mg per day for 10 pounds of weight for both dog and cat diluted in water or directly in his diet.
Dog urinary problems
Urinary tract infection in dogs or cats is a common health problem but it can present some complications such as frequent recurrences, stones and lead to incontinence.
After the diagnosis of this condition, it is important to ensure prevention to maintain an ideal urine pH and to counter any recurrence.
If the treatment started by your veterinarian at the first cystitis is crucial, you can then apply effective natural remedies to maintain the kidney health of your cat or your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs your dog has a UTI?
The major sign of acute urinary tract infection is difficulty urinating resulting in a few drops during urination.
It can also manifest through incontinence.
The urine is dark and sometimes contains blood.
Finally, intensive licking of the genitals is a sign of discomfort and pain.
How long does cystitis last in dogs?
UTI in dogs can last for about a week if treated in time.
The veterinarian provides an antibiotic prescription for a period of 10 days to 2 weeks.
To treat the acute phase, he adds anti-inflammatories to relieve the pain.
What are UTI meds for dog?
Amoxicillin is the antibiotic of choice for veterinarians to treat bacterial cystitis in dogs.
A new protocol encourages it to be prescribed for only 5 days if the dog is not prone to recurrent UTI.
It is sometimes necessary to combine several antibiotics to overcome urinary tract infection.
* Read more:
My dog has a fever what do I do?
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