Diagnosed with Chronic UTIs

[mara'smomma]

My 21 month old female Mara was diagnosed with chronic bladder infections as of 2 weeks ago. She has been having ongoing bladder infections for the past year and has been on about a handful of different antibiotics. She has now been prescribed a prescription dry dog food only available through banfield (so far she hasn't had another infection). She was put on the food for life because she now has crystalization of the urine and starting developing stones.
After all of that said I was to wondering what natural ways I can help her through this. I heard yogurt was good, but the doctor said I shouldn't mix anything else into her diet. Regarding the cranberry pills, do I just get the stuff us humans take???
Mara is now so used to peeing all over the house b/c she couldn't help it with the infections, that now she is better it hasn't stopped..................Any suggestions with re-house training her would be great!
Hope to hear some help.
Tiffanie
"mara'smomma

 

[gmacleod]

As a general rule, cranberry extract is quite helpful with UTIs as it helps to keep urine acidic. Yoghurt helps through populating the digestive tract with good bacteria, which in turn helps to keep bad bacteria in check.

Diet is also a factor and you should avoid foods with things like corn, wheat, beet pulp, or molasses in them.

Another thing you can look at is lifestyle. I have no idea whether or not you crate your dog, or if you're home full time with her, etc. But just in case she is being crated for long periods, that is something you could look at. The problem with crating and UTIs is that if the dog has to hold her bladder and all the toxins in urine inside the body for extended periods (more than 2 or 3 hours at a time) that just helps bacteria to multiply. A dog with chronic UTIs should be allowed to relieve herself as often as needed. So if you happen to crate all day, it would be wiser to look into either coming home part way through the day, finding someone else to do it for you, or sending her to doggy daycare.

Btw: Please take the time now to introduce yourself to the community in the introductions forum. That just gives everyone the chance to say Hi (we're a community here, not just a message board). And per the site rules, that is supposed to be the first post you make on this site, before participating to the rest of the forums.

 

[mara'smomma]

reply

I do stay home with her all day, so she is able to go out whenever she wants to. She is a strictly indoor boxer, so the problem is that she often just goes on the floor sometimes right in front of me without giving me any warning that she needs to use the potty.
I run with her every morning just so she can relieve herself as often as she needs to and it tires her out for most of the day.
I will try the cranberry pills and talk to the doc again about introducing yogurt. Thanks so much for your help.
Tiffanie