Pages 138 - 139
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
UTIs can involve several structures, including the kidneys, but most
often refer to infections of the bladder. Several factors contribute
to bladder infections. These can include glucosuria (glucose in the
urine), depressed white blood cell function, immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency,
and the high levels of impurities (chemicals and poor quality protein)
present in commercial diets. The latter irritate and inflame the
bladder lining much as they inflame the intestinal lining. This inflamation
primes the bladder for infection.
Signs of UTIs can include frequent licking of the uretha, incontinence
or dribbling of urine, blood in the urine, straining, urgency (frequently
asking to go outside) without being able to produce much volume, increased
thirst, and lethargy.
To diagnose a bladder infection, your veterinarian may request that
you collect a urine sample and deliver it to the clinic. There are
several ways to collect a urine sample. The sample does not need
to be sterile for this examination, only clean. You can use a clean
ceramic mug, margarine container, or plastic zip-style bag.
Follow the dog into the yard. Walk along with him, but pretend
you are not very interested in his activities. Most dogs are accustomed
to relieving themselves, by themselves, and may be intimidated if their
owner follows them around. After the dog squats or lifts his leg,
quietly slip the cup or container under the urine stream, once he has started.
If he seems especially alarmed by what you are doing, offer him a food
treat afterward.
If your aim is poor, and the idea of urine on your hand bothers you,
purchase a pair or box of latex gloves. You may also use a clean
pooper-scooper or soup ladle to catch the urine, transferring it to a small
container afterward. This alleviates the need to bend down.
It is best to bring a fresh urine sample (within an hour of being collected)
to your veterinarian. If this is not possible, refrigerate the urine
sample until it is time to leave for the clinic. This will help prevent
excess bacteria, which might skew the findings, from growing in the sample.
In more difficult UTI cases, your veterinarian may obtain a sterile
sample by performing a bladder tap. In this case, urine is collected
through a sterile needle inserted through the skin, directly into the bladder.
This can provide a more accurate sample when there is difficulty identifying
or treating infectious agents.
Your veterinarian may encourage you add acidic fruit or supplements
to your dog's diet. This can include cranberries, blueberries, cranberry
supplement, or Azocran tablets. All of these acidify the urine, which
helps to discourage bacterial growth.
You can monitor urine acidity by measuring urine pH levels. This
is performed with pH urine test strips, much in the manner that home urine
testing is performed. Urine pH strips are available at your local
pharmacy.
Keep your dog well hydrated. The more frequently a dog empties
his bladder, the less chance bacterial infection has to get started.
Add some type of flavoring to the dog's drinking water, such as soy sauce
or soup bouillon. If your dog has sodium restrictions, purchase low-sodium
types. Discuss your plans with your veterinarian.
Remember that UTIs can cause a viscious cycle. The infection causes
higher blood sugar levels that, in turn, cause excess sugar to spill into
the bladder. This sets the stage for even more bacterial growth.
Discuss the need for better blood glucose control with your veterinarian.
Dietary Management of Infection
Canine nutritionists recommend treating chronic infections from the
iinside of the body, outward. In addition to whatever treatments
your veterinarian prescribes, nutritionists recommend acidifying the dog's
system through dietary means. If you are feeding a homemade food,
remove any grain and high-sugar fruits and vegetables from the diet.
This includes bananas, apples, sweet potatoes, yams, carrots, green peas,
corn, parsnips, winer squash, and tomatoes.
Commercial dog food, especially kibble, is very alkaline. If you
continue to feed commercial food, acidify the system by adding vitamin
C, raw apple cider vinegar (available at health food stores, not grocery
stores), and cranberry juice or cranberry extract, or frozen blueberries.
In addition, some research indicates that highly bio-available protein
(homemade diets with raw or cooked meat) discourages baceria from developing
in the urinary tract.
end of excerpt
If you don't have this book you really need to purchase it today.
Chapter 12 deals with other health concerns like the excerpt about
UTIs. Some other health concerns in this chapter are infections, skin infections,
ear infections, oral infections and complications, kidney infections and
degeneration, treating incontinence, hepatic (liver) disease, thyroid disease,
diabetic cataracts, etc.....
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