Today’s topic is a bit delicate but it’s something we need to dogscuss. I’m barking about urinary tract infections in good dogs. Most dogs will never experience the displeasure of a UTI, but recent studies suggest about 27% of us will at least once in our life & they occur more often in us females.  Pawsonally, I am a lady who, how do i say this, likes to lean low when I leave pee-mail & this can cause some issues for me.

Infact, today as soon as I woke I had to pee & dog gone it, huMom was there with in a little tan bottle she quickly held under me to collect a sample.  It was then put in a ziploc bag & placed in the refrigerator.  As soon as my breakfast was over we then drove the sample to my Vet clinic so they could analyaze it.  We are waiting to hear back from them but huMom said she pawsitive I am experiencing an UTI issue & will likely need to take medication to clear it up.

Below is an example of urinary elimination pawsitions with my pawsonal favs marked, no pun intended, bol.

Most UTIs dogvelop in the bladder, but can also begin in the kidneys, ureters, or urethra. The culprit almost half the time is E. coli bacteria, which can migrate from a dog’s genitals, perineum, or rectum, upwards into the bladder. But UTIs can also be caused by a poor diet, or medications that throw off the body’s pH. Drugs that might contribute to bladder problems include high blood pressure drugs, heart medications, diuretics, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, sedatives & antidepressants.

In good dogs with an inadequate immune systems or an unbalanced pH level, E. coli bacteria can rapidly spread from the urinary tract & then colonize the lining of the bladder, causing an infection.

When we are feed a cereal-based diet (kibble), our urine becomes alkaline.  Alkalizing starch-based diets are frequently the cause of chronic UTIs, because a lack of acidity removes the antimicrobial activity in urine.

Always having fresh water & fresh food in clean bowls is key in helping to prevent an UTI.

Symptoms of a UTI may include any of the following:

• Urinating in the house.
• Dark or cloudy urine
• Very little or no urine output.
• leaking or dribbling
• vomiting
• excessive thirst

If your good dog is pawsenting any of these symptoms, you need to, if possible get a urine sample to your vet as quick as you can. If that’s not pawssible, get your good dog to the vet & they can do it. Any internal infection can be serious but more so if it turns out to be a kidney infection. An aggressive attack is needed right away so the quicker the problem is identified the better for your good dog.

Bacterial infections require antibiotics which need to be taken even after the symptoms are gone. Antibiotics are not kind to the gut so pre & probiotics should be added to meals to re-seed the beneficial gut bacteria wiped out by any antibiotic. I always use Omega Alpha’s Probiotic 8 Plus.

There is also a natural method of treating UTIs. In a 2016 study, results showed that cranberry extract appears to be as or more effective in preventing E. coli related urinary tract infections in good dogs as short-term antimicrobial treatment, without the side effects. In addition, cranberry extract can help fight multi-drug resistant bacteria in dogs with recurrent E. coli UTIs.

Herbs including olive leaf, horsetail grass & buchu can help in the prevention of urinary tract infections. I myself have had a delicious horsetail grass tea served to me on occasion. Just remember, always consult with your vet before using any herbs, just to be safe.

This was a lot of impawtant information to chew all at once so I recommend you save or bookmark it to your device. Or you can sniff it out the KTFGD’s resource page.

Have a pawsome week, CEO Olivia, Dot & Jerry Underfoot 💜

 

PS 🐾 Looking for wagnifient healthy & furbulously fun toys or pawsibly a supplement for the well being of your pawtacular good dog or cat? Shop Naturally

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