The most common causes of urinary obstructions in male and female dogs are bladder stones, urethral stones and cancer. Additionally, disease of the prostate gland can cause urinary obstruction in males only, as females do not have a prostate gland. Also, spinal cord injuries can render a pet unable to urinate.
Some natural remedies that are used to help with dog incontinence are phytoestrogens, corn silk (for supportive treatment and remedy), saw palmetto (for anti-inflammation), implementing a grain-free diet, and even acupuncture.
Incontinence in dogs often begins when the pet enters middle age, but different breeds become middle-aged at different times. For example, very large dogs are considered middle-aged when they reach around five while small terriers are still considered young at this age.
Urinary incontinence in dogs can often be successfully treated or managed with surgery and medications. Specific treatment of an underlying disease or condition with surgery or medications may resolve incontinence.
Before giving your dog a natural remedy for UTIs, contact a veterinarian. UTIs often require medical care, especially if there's an established bacterial infection. In this case, natural remedies will cure the UTI, and only prescription antibiotics and veterinary treatment will remedy the infection.
Mix a one-to-one solution of white vinegar and water. Using a sponge, rub the solution onto the stain. Let it sit for 5-to-10 minutes, and then wipe it up with a clean, dry towel. Some experts advise using a more diluted formulation of 1/2-cup vinegar to one gallon of warm water.
The most common ailments are UTIs, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder wall) and urinary stones that form in the kidneys, bladder or urethra. Also, like humans, older male dogs can suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia, where an enlarged prostate blocks the flow of urine out of the bladder.
Amoxicillin, Clavamox®, trimethoprim sulfa, and enrofloxacin are the most common antibiotics used to treat UTIs in dogs.
If your dog is not peeing, he must be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. An examination may lead the vet to recommend a few diagnostic tests to help find the cause, such as a complete blood count, urinalysis, urine culture, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal x-rays and a CT scan.
Antibiotics are the number one treatment for bladder infections in dogs. In some cases, your veterinarian may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or pain killers depending on the severity and underlying cause of your pet's bladder infection.
Vinegar can help dogs and cats that suffer from urinary tract infections. However, before trying a vinegar remedy, you will first need to find out what the pH is in your pet's urine, Morgan says. “If the pH is above 7, then apple cider vinegar is your best friend,” Morgan says.
Yogurt for Dog UTI
Yogurt is a great source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that can help promote a healthy balance of bacteria in your dog's gut and urinary tract. This can help prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria that can lead to UTIs.
Apple cider vinegar.
Acetic acid will effectively neutralize the harmful bacteria causing the infection. One tablespoon to two tablespoons (depending on the size of dog) can be added to some plain yogurt or the apple cider vinegar may be added to food or water.
Medications that increase urethral sphincter tone such as phenylpropanolamine (PPA), or hormone replacements such as estrogen or diethylstilbestrol (DES), are commonly used alone and in combination. Many dogs that respond poorly to PPA alone will benefit from a combination of PPA and DES.
Your veterinarian can confirm the nature of your pet's food-related incontinence by running tests to check for the presence of allergy antibodies. An elimination diet, which switches out one suspected allergen at a time until the symptoms finally stop, can pinpoint a specific ingredient that your pet needs to avoid.
When asleep, all of your dog's muscles are totally relaxed, including the urethra – which is the muscle that keeps urine inside their bladder. Although there may not be a large amount of urine, female dogs often urinate just a few drops in their sleep, which is still enough to make your dog prone to urinary infections.
So if you're concerned that your ageing dog is developing an incontinence problem, talk to your vet. They'll perform a full health check, and they may collect and test a urine sample. This will help them to identify whether any underlying conditions are aggravating the problem, such as a urinary tract infection.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a nonsteroidal estrogen derivative that closely resembles the natural estrogen, estradiol. Because it is inexpensive and infrequently administered, it is the first choice to treat urinary incontinence in female dogs.
Small dogs are considered senior citizens of the canine community when they reach 11-12 years of age. Their medium-sized friends become seniors at 10 years of age. Their larger-sized colleagues are seniors at 8 years of age. And, finally, their giant-breed counterparts are seniors at 7 years old.