Herbal Treatment of Canine Urinary Infection
By Tess Thompson
Urinary tract infection in dogs or cats is mainly caused by a stone in the urinary bladder or kidney or an enlarged prostate in males. If not treated immediately, urinary tract infections can cause damage to the upper parts of the urinary tract and distant organs as well.
One of the main symptoms of urinary tract infection in dogs or cats is canine or feline urinary incontinence. Besides incontinence, other signs of canine urinary infection may include frequent urination, straining to urinate without actually passing any urine and increased thirst. These collective symptoms may be a result of another problem and only urinalysis and culture can confirmed the diagnosis.
UTI in puppies is more common than in adult dogs and female puppies are more susceptible to the problem. Veterinarians usually resort to antibiotics to treat the condition in most cases. Even though antibiotics work in most cases, it is not generally known that the antibiotics used for treating UTI require higher concentrations and need to be used for prolonged periods of time to be effective. This is especially because most of the drugs are metabolized by the body and a substantial quantity of antibiotic is eliminated through urine.
Natural and herbal treatments for canine UTI help in preventing and treating urinary infections. They also help in strengthening the immune system. Practically the same herbs that have been in use for treating UTI in humans are also used to address canine and feline urinary tract infections. Some of them are as follows:
Garlic is used as a natural antibiotic. It also provides support to the immune system.
Echinacea, a perennial North American herb, helps in removing residual infection.
Rosehips, fruit of a rose plant, are a natural source of Vitamin C and iron. It is an effective tonic for kidney health.
Buchu, two small flowering shrubs native to South Africa are rich in essential oils. Their leaves have been used traditionally as an herbal remedy for ailments of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.
Alfalfa balances the pH level of urine and reduces irritation in the linings of mucous membranes.
Uva Ursi has traditionally been used for its constituent glycoside arbutin. This ingredient has medicinal properties that act as a mild diuretic. The herb is also known for its antimicrobial effect. For use, the leaves can be soaked in ethanol and diluted with water to treat urinary tract complaints like cystitis and urolithiasis. It has been used for urinary tract complaints, including cystitis and urolithiasis also.
Yarrow tincture can be used for urinary disorders and its aerial parts as a diuretic.
While using herbal therapy for treating canine and feline urinary infection, it is necessary to monitor the procedure of the disease and use herbs for all the symptoms. In this manner herbal remedies can support the body's natural systems to self heal in a more effective manner.
