If you have a dog chances are well over 50 percent that they will fall victim to a canine UTI. UTI stands for urinary tract infection and the chances are pretty good that if you are reading this article you at least suspect your dog may have a canine UTI.
The most common type of canine UTI are those involving the bladder, nevertheless these sometimes stubborn bacterial infections can occur anywhere in the urinary tract. Typically the bacteria gains access to the urinary tract through the urethra and may be helped along by a weak immune system (common in older pets), stones or uroliths, genetic abnormalities, thickened bladder, diseases such as diabetes, along with lack of exercise, poor nutrition and/or dehydration. Most experts in the field of canine UTI believe that if your dog has a strong immune system and sanitary living conditions there is a very low probability of contracting a urinary tract infection. Nevertheless, a probability is only low if your dog doesn't fall victim. If they do then the probability in your case is 100 percent.
There are a myriad of different types of bacteria that can cause a canine UTI with the most common being E.coli. Some of the signs that an infection may be brewing are increased voiding, increased water intake, voiding in inappropriate places, lethargy, pain during urination, blood in urine, cloudy urine, smelly urine, and anti social behavior. An example of antisocial behavior might be your dog not greeting you at the door as they always do. Other dogs get angry and show signs of aggression especially when touched in the area just behind the ribs and under the spine. Sensitivity in this area could be a sign that the canine UTI has spread to the kidneys and is evolving into a serious and potentially life threatening condition.
If you start to notice these signs treatment should be sought immediately. Your vet will ask for a urine sample to confirm the presence of bacteria and isolate the type of bacteria causing the canine UTI. He will also check for other contributing factors such as stones. At this point antibiotics will be prescribed and if all goes well your dog will be on the road to recovery in a few days and completely healing in 7 to 10 days.
While a trip to vet is probably the best course of action, to nip a canine in the bud before it has a chance to gain a foothold, some will opt for home remedies first. If this the route you choose to take there are 6 simple steps that can prove helpful.
*Make sure they drink plenty of water in an attempt to flush the bacteria.
*Make time for five or more bathroom breaks a day.
*Add blueberry or cranberry juice to their water.
*Reduce stress by providing them with a quite stress free environment to heal.
*Consider a vitamin B supplement since they are water soluble and will be lost during urination.
*Implement a natural canine UTI remedy containing the herb uva ursi.
In closing it is important to watch for signs of the condition worsening. If no improvement is seen in a few days you should reconsider your decision not to take them to the vet. There could be forces at work which maybe hidden in the shadows or you may have recognized the canine UTI too late in the game for a home remedy to be successful.
R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural health products and supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about natural remedies for better health visit Purchase Remedies.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_D_Hawkins
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