Recurring UTIs
The vet mentioned that it could be an anatomical issue-- as in, her organs don't sit right and leave her prone to developing UTIs which can potentially be corrected with surgery. I don't like having my pup on antibiotics so often (I've read that it could even further aggravate the issue), but surgery is pricey and daunting without solid evidence. X-rays alone would set me back too far to afford any serious procedure. I've also tried adding apple cider vinegar to her water as prevention, but I've noticed no difference. Has anyone else experienced this? |
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| We fed Glacier cranberry powder to help with UTI. Finally her thyroid numbers got low enough to start pills and no more UTIs. The following is an article about abnormal girl parts, UTI and our vet, about fell over when I saw the photos of clinic and vet.....clinic replaced by fancy digs and the vet is now pushing 70, but still one of the best surgeons in our area. Could be why I always see greyhounds at the clinic after all these years..........http://www.gcnm.org/incontinencemystery.html |
| YES! My female Bella was getting UTI's all the time. At one time they talked to us about surgery to repair the anatomical defect. But I went to a specialist and he said the same thing. It is anatomical and something about the sphicter ( spelling?) not being tight and bacteria coming up into it after she urinates and/or defecates. he put us on a very low does hormone DES- real name Diethylstilbestrol. The first four weeks we were on one dose and now she is on a small dose - one pill twice a week. You don't want to stay on hormones at high doses for extended time. But she has been on the one pill, twice a week for about three years now. No UTI's and no other health problems. Also, I do wipe her at night before bed with a baby antiseptic wipe and keep her hair short by her vagina and around her butt. And you need to wipe from front to back and not the other way around. Ask about this DES. PM me with any other questions. |
| I forgot about DES, Splash, one of the 90's bitches was always wet. She went on one drug, then another. Not until we combined them (vet's suggestion) did she dry up. So many reasons for leaky sheepies. |
| We have had great results with the small dose of DES. And my dog was also recommended for surgery. Try it before opting for surgery.... |
| What ashley said as well as regardless, Cranberry to support the Urinary Tract, cant hurt her and is an easy supplement to give her. I would also look at as well as cranberry, Yoghurt!!! as well. If cant take dairy products then a probiotic powder which is a bit more expensive and a bit harder to find then plain yoghurt. Try these supplements as well, good anyway and Cranberry is soooooo beneficial for not only doggies but humans too when it comes to Urinary Tract Support and problems there.  |
| First, I'd monitor urinary ph at home to see if she's too alkaline (high ph). If Bones has had continued problems, ask your vet what ph level would be best and about tracking urinary ph at home using test strips. I keep Siemens Multistix 10 SG strips on hand... they test ph, specific gravity, blood, protein, etc. I've found 100 test strips for under $40... not a bad thing for all dog owners to keep on hand to catch something early. Not a vet but we've tried balancing out dog urinary ph over the years. Panda's always been too alkaline, likely one reason she was surrendered a couple of times. We exhausted all testing and were told over-drinking and peeing in the house was likely behavioral... I looked for a fix. Another dog tends to be more acidic (oxalate crystals). Another had struvite crystals and tended to drift back to too alkaline... if she gets a Nature Made Cranberry fruit capsule with her evening meal, she's perfect. If it's truly anatomical, none of this will help. Panda had a persistent or patent urachus... it was finally diagnosed after a year of recurring UTIs. The only hope to end the recurring UTIs was surgery because it was a bladder defect, a partial tube that should have closed at the bladder at birth... still, she was left with a continued high urinary ph (though no more UTIs). If you find Bones' urinary ph tends to revert to a high ph after infection has been treated, I'd ask your vet about a cranberry pill and also attempting to adjust her ph through diet before opting for any surgery. "...Potatoes... Natural apple cider vinegar, unsweetened cranberry juice and vegetable juices can also increase dietary alkaline levels..." Read more: Alkaline Diet for Dogs - VetInfo http://www.vetinfo.com/alkaline-diet-for-dogs.html. This is for humans... ask if it may also apply for dogs- "...A diet high in citrus fruits, vegetables, or dairy products can increase your urine pH. A diet high in meat products or cranberries can decrease your urine pH..." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 003583.htm You're wanting to achieve slight changes, not go overboard and create other problems. From past experience with Panda, fruit/vegetables, dairy and Tums/acid reducers have always caused her ph to go too high. She seldom gets these. Meat seems to lower her ph, making her urinary ph more acidic. I recently took her off her acidifier (betain hydrochloride for low stomach acid) and switched her on Precise Lamb and Turkey (potato/rice free- garbanzo beans and pea flour)... trying to see if potato is a problem for her too after reading the above. Note that well water and filtered water may also affect ph. Urine that's too acidic or too alkaline can encourage the development of stones. Some types don't dissolve and require surgery (the sire of the 3 sisters here almost died from oxalate stones) so if there are problems with ph, I think it's best to monitor it. Some bitches are really tucked and can have more problems. I wipe Panda down with 50/50 Bragg apple cider vinegar and water if necessary. Percentage may need to be adjusted based on the dog's sensitivity. Her spine has fused so she can't tend to herself... I also keep her clipped short to keep her clean. If any of this sounds right for Bones, please run it past your vet first... I always do. Good luck to you and Bones. Hoping you'll be able to correct this with food or a supplement and avoid surgery all together.  |
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