Tips On How To Treat Dog Bladder Infection Successfully

So your dog has another bladder infection. How frustrating that this continues to be a nagging and expensive problem but you simply don’t know what else you can do to keep it from happening. Does this sound familiar? In this article titled “Tips On How To Treat Dog Bladder Infection Successfully” we will briefly give a general description of bladder infection and then provide a few suggestions as how to treat do bladder infection successfully. 

If your dog has a bladder infection (bacterial cystitis) you are not alone. It is one of the most common types of infections found in canines as well as one of the most chronic. The primary offending bacteria is generally E. coli which enters through the urethra and quickly binds to the lining of the urinary tract eventually making its way to the bladder and worst case scenario the kidneys. 

Once the bacterial infection sets in your dog will likely have a change in urination habits along with pain while urinating and possibly blood in the urine. The urine may also appear cloudy and smell horrendous. 

While cystitis can magically appear from nowhere there likely is an underlying cause that opens the door to the infectious bacteria. Examples would be urethral infection, diabetes, increasing age, or problems with fully emptying or flushing the bladder during urination. 

Now that we know a little more about what we are dealing with it is time to move on our main topic of how to treat dog bladder infection successfully. 

The conventional treatment, once a diagnosis has been confirmed through urinalysis, is a round of oral antibiotics which normally takes about 2 weeks. While this treatment approach is generally effective we all know that antibiotics can lose their effectiveness if given too often. 

The natural approach generally taken to treat dog bladder infection successfully consists of enhancing immune system function, increasing fluid intake, promoting a pH that will reduce the chances of infection, cleanliness, and prevent bacteria from attaching to the bladder lining. 

Water intake: By continually flushing the urinary tract you will make it very difficult for bacteria to gain access to the bladder. Keep in mind that additional water consumption means additional urination breaks. These two steps must be combined otherwise increased fluid intake could have a negative effect allowing bacteria to flourish. 

Raise urine pH levels: Bacteria hates acidic urine and many natural health experts suggest apple cider vinegar or cranberry juice. Keep in mind that because you are constantly flushing the bladder it may be difficult to keep urine pH levels high enough to make a difference but it is certainly worth a try. 

Cleanliness: E. coli generally enters through the urethra so keeping that area clean and well groomed may be the missing link in preventing recurrent cystitis. 

Put up a roadblock: Both cranberry and blueberry juice reduce the ability of bacteria to attach to the lining of the bladder and urethra. While your pet may not be thrilled with the taste your wallet will love it when bacterial infections become a thing of the past. 

What else? Herbs can help and have been used for centuries as a way to treat bladder and urinary tract infections. When asked how to treat dog bladder infection successfully most natural health professionals have one answer “Uva Ursi”. Herbal remedies containing uva ursi should be a cornerstone of any natural health approach to treating bacterial infection and promoting urinary tract health.