CAUSES
Many urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria that have spread from the urethra. Some are due to bladder stones secondary to diet. Others are a primary inflammation of the lining of the bladder wall.
Of special note are apparent bladder infections in un-neutered male dogs; these are often an infection of the prostate gland, requiring antibiotics and neutering by your veterinarian.
In cats, feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) needs special attention. It has a strong association with environmental stressors, and you need to be aware that these cats are especially sensitive. Environmental stressors lead to bladder inflammation.
SOLUTIONS
SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN
If your cat is straining to urinate and not producing any urine, it is imperative to have him or her examined immediately.
Your pet may be blocked with a bladder stone, in which, case emergency care is required. It is a good idea to have urine checked for any urinary tract problems; you are then able to use the appropriate remedy knowing what the specific problem is.
DIET
Yes, there are the veterinary diets, but here are a few other things to consider. More moisture is needed. If you have a cat with repeated urinary tract infections, he or she should only be fed canned food. If you have a dog with repeated urinary tract infections, he or she should be fed a combination of dry food mixed with water, canned food, and some homemade diets.
One of the holistic beliefs is that allergies can cause inflammation, affecting your pet’s immune system, leading to bladder irritation and infection. My suggestions are to avoid giving carbohydrates completely to cats, and minimal carbohydrates to dogs. For most cats and dogs, the high-protein diets are ideal.
VITAMIN C
This acidifies the urine and may prevent the recurrence of bladder stones and bladder infections. Start with a low dose of 100 mg per ten pounds daily.
CRANBERRY
A traditional home remedy used for people with recurrent urinary tract infections. The beneficial effects are from the acidification of the urine and by making it more difficult for the bacteria to adhere to the bladder wall. The dose of the juice is one ml per pound daily, and the dose of tablets, such as CranActin, is one-half capsule per ten pounds daily.
HOWEVER… NONE OF MY CATS ATE FOOD WITH CRANACTIN AS IT IS SOUR TASTING, SO INSTEAD…
D-MANNOSE – CRANBERRY EXTRACT !
While cranactin can be sour and not easily administered to cats, D-mannose tastes & feels like powdered sugar. This prevents & helps UTI by having slippery walls of bladder and thus preventing bacteria from sticking to bladder & urinary tract.
THE ABOVE IS A BULK PRODUCT & NOT SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR PETS ! THERE IS NO SUCH A THING JUST FOR PETS, EXCEPT SOMEONE CLEVER MADE IT FOR PETS AND SELLS IT FOR 4 X THE PRICE AS IN THE BELOW PRODUCT! THE ONLY REASON I AM SHOWING YOU THAT PRODUCT IS SO YOU CAN READ INFORMATION ON DOSING & ADMINISTERING !
DOSING:
PETS OVER 30 lbs – 1/2 scoop
PETS UNDER 30 lbs – 1/4 scoop
PETS UNDER 15 lbs – 1/8 scoop
DAY 1 – dose every 2 hrs (7 doses max)
DAY 2 – dose every 3 hrs (5 doses max)
DAY 3 – dose every 4 hrs (3 doses max)
PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are increasingly being used for people with recurrent urinary tract infections, and have been found to be increasingly helpful in pets. They seem to have anti-inflammatory qualities as well as decreasing the likelihood of the bacteria recolonizing in the bladder. If your pet is on antibiotics for a urinary tract infection, it is a good idea to supplement with lactobacillus to restore the healthy bacteria that are lost. The dose is one-fourth capsule per ten pounds of body weight daily.
CLEAN WATER
You want your pet to drink as much as possible, but chlorine will often deter adequate water consumption. Give your dog or cat filtered water to encourage drinking and avoid the chlorine.
KEEP CLEAN
Some dogs will pool small amounts of urine around the folds of their vulva. Keep this area clean by clipping the hair and wiping with an antiseptic solution as needed. This will limit the bacteria that may ascend the urethra.
STRUVITE STONES
In most cases of bladder stones and bladder infections, the goal is to acidify the urine; this prevents the recurrence of the most common bladder stone, struvite. Diets higher in protein are more acidifying; specific veterinary diets are designed for acidification. A higher protein homemade diet is also suitable.
CRYSTAL FORMATION IN URINE – CATS
pH level of urine affects struvite formation.
Crystals form in urine with pH level of 7.0 or greater and are soluble in pH of 6.6 or less.
Dietary factor associated with decreased rick of struvite uroliths is food formulated to include higher fat, lower protein, lower potassium and increased urine-acidifying potential, could potentially minimize formation of struvite uroliths in cats. Urine needs to be acidic.
Supplementing with ammonium chloride will prevent formation of struvite crystals or in the alternative increase meat protein source instead of supplementing.
DL-methionine decreases urine pH levels
Use all the prior remedies to accomplish acidification.
L-METHIONINE. A urinary acidifier. The dose is 25 mg per cat.
OXALATE STONES
In a small percentage of animals, the type of bladder stone is called calcium oxalate, which forms in acidic urine. If this is your pet’s problem, the goal is to make the urine more alkaline. This is performed by lowering protein levels, and by adding a supplement, potassium citrate.
FLUID
In all cases of infections or stones, additional fluid intake is mandatory
in treatment and preventing recurrence. For cats, I suggest feeding only canned food. For dogs, add water to their dried food.
HERBS
OREGON GRAPE (antimicrobial)
These herbs will eliminate many bacterial UTIs. In all cases your pet will benefit by drinking (syringe feeding) an herbal tea combination of these herbs.
UVA URSI (astringent anti-inflammatory)
MARSHMALLOW (soothing)
This herb has many qualities that make it a first choice for treating stones.
SLIPPERY ELM
As the name suggests slippery elm makes the walls of bladder slippery thus preventing bacteria from sticking
DANDELION A key diuretic that will draw additional water into the urinary tract—the simple act of flushing the bladder will help in many cases of simple infections.
DOSE FOR ALL HERBS: also see HERB DOSING
LOSE HERB – 1 tsp/10 lbs body weight 2 x day
HERBAL TINCTURE (ALCOHOL FREE) 1 drop/1 lb body weight 2 x day
CASE STUDY
Jackie-Lina the little cat who adorns the main page of Pet Info Alley next to my dog Fendi…
I was leaving town and it was 3 am when I stumbled onto the stairs leading to electronic litter box… I did not know which of the cats was in trouble ! Last time I took one other cat for this cost me $ 450.00+ and she was only good for a few days before she was in trouble again despite all the Western meds I gave her !
There was no repeat of the symptoms until August 18, 2018 ! And then I spend half a day observing and caught Jackie-Lina straining. I immediately administered the blend of 4 herbs which I always have on hand… Oregon Grape, Slippery Elm, Marshmallow and Uva Ursi. Within 12 hrs she was unblocked, sprinkling and her flow returned to normal.
HOMEOPATHY
When the flow returned to normal, I put Jackie-Lina on UTI Free. It has been over a year and she has remained symptom free.
UTI-Free
This homeopathy formula is a safe, effective, non-addictive natural remedy made of 100% homeopathic ingredients. Formulated by our team of experts in natural medicine, UTI-Free helps to temporarily relieve symptoms commonly associated with urinary tract infections and incontinence in cats and dogs.
UTI-Free is made from a potent combination of three homeopathic ingredients specially formulated for pets with common symptoms of urinary tract infections like frequent urination and accidents. UTI-Free can provide support for pet bladder health and reduce straining, leaking, and dribbling in urination.
NOTE: ALL HOMEOPATHY PILLS REQUIRE SPECIAL HANDLING. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PLEASE READ… HOMEOPATHY DOSING
DO NOT TOUCH PILL WITH BARE HANDS AS OILS IN OUR FINGERS DEACTIVATE THE EFFECT OF MEDS. Instead use disposable gloves that you can wash with water, dry and re use.
ADMINISTERED TINY PILLS UNDER TONGUE OR IN MOUTH
30 MIN BEFORE OR AFTER FOOD OR WATER
Some of these tiny pills are easiest to administer if crushed and I found only one pill crusher on the market that will work well on all sizes of these tiny homeopathic pills called pallets.
This pill crusher is available at Walmart.
HYDRANGEA, STONE ROOT, GRAVEL ROOT & CORN SILK
Specific herbs helpful in dissolving bladder stones and acidifying the urine.
CHINESE HELP
Ba Zheng San is the most effective Chinese herb for dogs with recurrent urinary tract infections. This is a mix of herbs that are both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
See HERB DOSING
MORE HOMEOPATHY
Use homeopathic treatments when specifically dealing with inflammation – not for any type of obstruction.
NUX VOMICA 30C
Useful with excessive straining and frequent attempts to urinate. You must have a veterinary exam to ensure that your dog or cat is not completely obstructed.
Dose is one 30C tablet every 4 hours.
CANTHARIS 30C
To overcome urinary blockage from struvite crystals
Dose: 1 pill per 20 lbs of body weight every 15 min for an hour (total 4 doses)
Then take a break and administer again for several doses
PULSATILLA 12C
This will help some of the more recurrent cases of cystitis.
When the other remedies fail to work, this one is often tried.
Dose: 12C 2x day
SARSAPARILLA 30C
This remedy is for an acute crisis and should be given while on your way to the vet, or in an emergency situation. Your cat can likely not urinate at all, or has great difficulty.
Dose: 30C every fifteen minutes.
DO NOT TOUCH PILLS – Bare fingers deactivate meds
You can wear disposable glove & drop 1 tiny pill in cats mouth. Pill is sweet.
give 30 min before/after food/water
If animal is spitting it up the other method is:
put the pill in 1/2 t-spoon of water
let it dissolve & administer with baby medicine dropper or syringe
The dose is 1 pill per 20 lbs body weight
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
If your cat has been diagnosed with FLUTD, or has a bladder condition, he or
she may benefit from some of the following remedies:
FLUID. In all cases of bladder inflammation, additional fluid intake is
mandatory in treatment and preventing recurrence. For cats, I suggest feeding
only canned food.
SUB-Q FLUIDS
In practice I often sent clients home with subcutaneous
fluid, especially following FLUTD. In this way the fluids stretch the bladder,
resulting in lower pain, along with flushing out any irritants in the bladder,
such as crystals. If you have a cat with recurrent episodes of FLUTD, you should discuss this as an option with your veterinarian.
NATURAL HORMONE
If your cat feels happier, she can have a lower incidence
of FLUTD. Pheromones in the facial glands convey messages of peace
and contentment. Cats will not spray if they are feeling happy. A product called Feliway, available from your veterinarian, contains these facial pheromones.
This can be sprayed on your cat and on the areas that have been sprayed twice daily for three to four weeks.
GLUCOSAMINE & CHONDROITIN
Two very common supplements used for arthritis, glucosamine and chondroitin, can also be helpful for cats with feline lower urinary tract disease. Glucosamine helps replenish a compound found in the lining of the bladder wall, called glycosaminoglycans (GAG), while chondroitin helps protect the GAG from being broken down. By supplementing with glucosamine and chondroitin, GAG is replenished, and the bladder inflammation, along with clinical signs of frequent urination, and blood in the urine can be resolved. The cat glucosamine dose is 100 mg per ten pounds of body weight daily. The chondroitin dose is 50 mg per ten pounds of body weight daily.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES
The goal here is to make your home happier for your cat: Minimize stress, and make play time with people/other animals a priority. Ensure that your cat is not confined, and that there are quiet areas, individual litter boxes, and individual food and water bowls. Ensure adequate scratching posts and toys. Lastly keep the food relatively constant, slowly making changes over the period of a month or so.
GREEN TEA AMINO ACID
L-theanine is an amino acid found in green
tea. Studies show that L-Theanine produces tranquilizing effects in the brain without drowsiness. The dose is 50mg per 20lbs daily.
TREATMENT PROTOCOL
ANTIBIOTIC COCTAIL 2 X daily
2 scoops of colostrum
2 probiotics capsules (open & empty contents in colosturm)
Dmannose (add proper dose to colosturm (pets over 30 lbs 1/2 scoop, pets under 30 lbs 1/4 scoop) )
MIX REALLY WELL
ADD:
2 t spoons of coconut water & MIX REALLY WELL
ADD:
1 drop of gse per each 5 lb of body weight (if a cat is 10 lbs then 2 drops of GSE)
ADD 1/4 of small flat plastic baby tsp of manuka honey or organic raw honey
MIX REALLY WELL & administer with syringe or baby medicine dropper
HERBAL tea 2 X DAILY
BREW 1/8 of cup of water & remove from stove
ADD 1/8 tsp of each 4 herbs: Oregon Grape, Marshmallow, Uva Ursi, Slippery Elm
Cover it and let it sit for 3 minutes. Strain and let it cool.
Administer with medicine dropper or syringe
MORE RESOURCES
