Urinary Track Issues
Dog Urine Assessment
cranberry extract
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence (See Resource Section) predominantly affects spayed female dogs and they may dribble urine or leave a small puddle behind after resting.[12] Fortunately this is a condition that can be treated by your veterinarian. Age related cognitive dysfunction is not an incontinence problem but rather dog dementia. (See Resource Section) Medical conditions that can cause elimination problems are often a urinary tract infection that your veterinarian can treat. More serious problems such as chronic kidney failure can result in increased water consumption and increased urination, which can also result in the bladder emptying involuntarily while the dog sleeps. Drugs prescribed by your veterinarian such as cortisone and phenobarbital can result in your dog eliminating in the house after having been housetrained.[13] If there is a sudden breakdown in housetraining or you are having trouble housetraining a puppy or dog you should always have your dog checked by your veterinarian to rule out any type of medical issue that could be causing the problem. For dogs with incontinence there are dog diapers specifically made for male and female dogs.
Urinary Tract Infection (CATS)
Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
Dispelling Myths About CaOx Uroliths
Urine Odor
“Urinary tract infection. Some say it smells sour, while others equate it with the odor of rotting fish. However you describe it, a dog with a urinary tract infection may pass urine that has a very foul smell. Or at least a very unusual one. “The urine will suddenly take on a much stronger odor, or a much different odor, than it has in the past,” says Your Dog editor-in-chief John Berg, DVM. “If it doesn’t go away, take your pet to the veterinarian for a workup.” Once a urinary tract infection is diagnosed, an antibiotic will be prescribed and will clear up the infection — and the malodorous scent in your dog’s urine.”
“Dr. Berg points out that the absence of an odor doesn’t mean there’s not a urinary tract infection. Other signs of one are more frequent urination and straining to urinate — with or without the attendant change in scent.”
“Note: Prior to coming into heat, a female dog’s urine may become especially pungent to alert male dogs that she is near ready to impregnate. Incontinence in, say, an older dog will lead to an unpleasant odor, too, but for an entirely different reason. If the dog dribbles into his fur or skin while resting or sleeping, the urine will dry there — and the scent will remain.”
Incontinence Post from Desperate Dogs facebook page.
(This is a post from a respected friend Penny Miller)
Swimming is a great way to encourage muscle build up in the back end, as it is a gentle, resistance form of exercise with the water taking the dog's weight.
Massage stimulates blood flow and invigorates the muscles in the back end if done correctly by a certified canine massage therapist.
Vetriscience 'Bladder strength' is an excellent product, available on Amazon, for dogs with lower level issues who are still at the 'occasional tinkle' stage.
Nutrivet 'Bladder Control' is hands down, after 15 years, STILL the best bladder supplement I have ever used. I started using it with Simba, my Rhodesian Ridgeback, who had been put on Diethylstilbestrol (DES) because of her chronic leaking which was ruining every rug, bed and carpet in the house. Sadly, it also changed her behavior somewhat and made her tired and so I was looking for a more natural solution.
I was stunned to find that this product CURED her condition completely; so much so that we were able to wean her down and eventually stop using it altogether for the last three years of her life. Miraculous!
Homeopet "No more leaks' is something that we have tried at Frankie and Andy's Place with fair success. It's cheap and easily available.
If you suspect that the urinary incontinence stems from kidney issues in your older dog, as is often the case, then ask your holistic veterinarian about whether Rehmannia 6 might help? Rehmannia 6 has been known for years to treat the symptoms of menopause in women (can I get a bucket of them over here, please?) but it is super helpful for dogs with kidney issues.
Remember, kidney issues often don't show up in bloodwork until the problem is well advanced so always look at your dog's actual symptoms like hind-end weakness and back leg mobility issues, arched 'hunchy' back, incontinence etc., before accepting that it isn't a kidney problem just because your veterinarian says "the bloodwork looks ok".
(https://www.frankieandandysplace.org/senior-solutions.html)
