If you are a dog owner looking for answers about a recurring canine UTI you are not alone as it is one of the most common dog illnesses. It is also one of the most overlooked, as pet owners assume that once a bacterial infection of the urinary tract is treated it is cured.
Surprisingly, this is only the case about 40 percent of the time, though the cure rate does vary somewhat depending on age, environment, and physical condition.
The truth is in any dog there is a constant battle going on between immune system defenses and invading bacteria. When it comes to recurring canine urinary tract infections the initial invading bacterial likely gained access through the urethra and made it way up the urinary tract to the bladder where it imbedded itself in the tissue lining.
When treated with antibiotics the bacteria was decimated but not eliminated giving the unsuspecting dog owner cause to breathe a sigh of relief as symptoms disappeared and justifying the significant veterinarian bill he/she just had to pay.
Note: While the vast majority of pet infections of the urinary tract begin in the lower urinary tract they can be blood borne caused from bacteria consumed orally. Nevertheless, once the infection occurs the treatment and re-treatment (in cases of chronic UTI) are basically the same.
But after a number of months, or possibly even years, the unmistakable symptoms or irregular urination patterns, pain, licking the urethral area, an inordinate amount of water consumption, antisocial behavior, discomfort, lethargy, and a general sense being unhealthy were back leaving the dog owner wondering what they did wrong and what they should do next.
Why was the initial treatment unsuccessful?
It is likely your dogs bacterial infection was initially treated with amoxicillin, an amoxicillin hybrid, or some other type of antibiotic that is excreted in an active form in the urine and is known to be effective against the particular type of bacteria present.
I wish I could tell you that there was one singular reason why the initial treatment was unsuccessful but I cannot as there are a number of possibilities including obstructions, illnesses such as diabetes, bladder scarring, immune system weakness, an imbalance in urine pH, an infection that was allowed to cultivate too long, not urinating often enough, old age, or possibly even treatment with the wrong type of antibiotic.
I would also like to pass on a quote from the Merck Manual of Pet Health. "Many animals with recurrent urinary tract infections are treated with repeated courses of antibiotics. If the underlying cause of the infection is not found, the repeated courses of antibiotics can do more harm than good. Inappropriate treatment with the wrong antibiotic can cause bacteria to become resistant. Chronic urinary tract infections are very hard to treat."
Are there any tips and natural treatments for recurring canine UTI that might help?
Four simple tips are to make sure your dog is drinking enough water, getting plenty of exercise, consuming pet foods that balances urine pH age appropriately, and limited the amount of dry food in favor of wet food.
As far as natural remedies go oftentimes what works well for humans works well for dogs. For example garlic and echinacea are taken by millions to boost immune system function and stave off infection. Uva ursi and alfalfa normalize over acid urine and quell urinary tract inflammation. Cranberry, raspberry or blueberry juice contain chemical compounds which make it difficult for bacteria to cling to walls of the bladder and urinary tract.
But perhaps the most effective of all natural treatment for a recurring canine UTI are homeopathic remedies containing ingredients such as cantharis (urine flow/soothes bladder tissue), staphysagris (a bladder and urinary tract tonic), and berberis (an anti-inflammatory herb known for its ability to boost immune system function).
In conclusion, when it comes to recurring canine UTI there are no easy answers but armed with the facts and a natural remedy for two you just might be able to return your dog to the happy healthy pet they once were free from the bacterial infection that has been dragging them down for so long.
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