Cranberry tablets for UTI's?

[bianca]

Hi all,

I think Molly may have another urinary tract infection again ( vet first thing in the morning) but has anyone ever tried giving cranberry tablets to their dog to prevent this? My partner is a paraplegic and gets constant UTI's and cranberry does nothing for him and we have a million bottles of the stuff here so it got me thinking...scary I know I just googled it and saw that the recommended dose is 400 Mg per 20 pounds daily, would this be right? If so would it be OK to give with fish oil and Vit C? I am not planning on trying until she is better and I will ask the vet tomorrow but thought I would seek advice from here

Thanks in advance!

[Gib Laut]

I know humans who have tried cranberry tablets, with no results. I believe it needs to be pure juice in order to be effective; though I have never had one so haven't tried it!lol It is important to determine why she is getting the recurring UTI's, treating the symptom isn't treating the source.

In the interim, you can try 2 tbsps of organic apple cider vinegar added to the water dish daily (there are more benefits to ACV than helping UTI's also).

Cantharis is a homeopathic remedy indicated for UTI's, you can find the pellets at some grocery stores and health food stores.

PS you can add the vitamin C and fish oil with this....

[onyx'girl]

I think vitamin C is just as effective as cranberry. I personally had a UTI and started with EsterC, it cleared up before my dr appt.

[LisaT]

cranberry in particular inhibits the bacteria adhering to the bladder wall. vitamin c alters the ph to make it less hospitable to bacteria. I have never seen any reference that vit C can alter the adherence the way that cranberry can, but maybe it's out there. I do think that they do different things.

[bianca]

Thanks for all the replies My vet is researching this for me too. But it turns out that she doesn't have a UTI. Still not sure what is wrong with her yet though...waiting, waiting, waiting for test results

Jane thank you, I may get some for Brad to try. It certainly is worth a shot!

Gib laut, thank you that is something I will keep a note of and try if there is a next time! Do you happen to know if that has the same benefit in humans too?

[Gib Laut]

Originally Posted by bianca

Gib laut, thank you that is something I will keep a note of and try if there is a next time! Do you happen to know if that has the same benefit in humans too?

Yes, it does....a remedy is selected by the specific symptoms present, regardless of the species used on. They are very safe and although rarely, but when my dog needs any remedy and he hears the container rattle, he runs right over....he thinks it's a treat!

What are her symptoms?

[bianca]

Thank you for taking the time to write Well she has has poop issues since the 22 July, I did start a thread Molly has an upset tummy, any suggestions please and since then she has been back to the vets for blood and fecal tests.Blood work fine and still waiting for the fecal results. She had returned to her normal hyper self so that was great but grrrrr this morning Miss Molly renewed her subscription to the club Yellow, mushy and mucous (that part was orange). Rang the vet and he still does not have the fecal results back. So she started a 10 day course of Metrogyl tonight. She seems totally fine, full of energy and her usual hyper self, in fact I had both her sisters here for a while today and she was the one raring to go. I have fingers crossed that the test shows something.. Back on scourban and still just chicken and rice and some gatorade.

[Gib Laut]

thx....ya, doesn't sound like a UTI....the stool color indicates an imbalance in the GI system somewhere....can be something like Giardia (btw the tests have a very high level of inaccuracy) or even colitis. Slippery elm is highly effective with loose mucous like stools, so is adding psyllium husks to each meal (bulks the stool). That and a diet change worked wonders with our female with colitis. I would add probiotics when giving antibiotics to help restore the good flora. If it is something like colitis, it is very susceptible to stress in the beginning of treatment.....and can come and go with no apparent cause.

[bianca]

Sorry I forgot to mention that her urine was tested so no UTI. And I have been giving her a probiotic. This dog is getting better nutrician than me at the moment! She was treated for Giardia so I really don't know what to think of now. Hopefully the antibiotics will do something and then see what the tests do or don't show. The vet has suspected enteritis from the beginning???psyllium husks is that similar to metamusil? And would that be Ok to give her with the meds? Thank you so much for your help

[Gib Laut]

Originally Posted by bianca

psyllium husks is that similar to metamusil? And would that be Ok to give her with the meds? Thank you so much for your help

very similar....available in bulk usually at health food store.....it's a high fiber product so don't give them at the same time, at least 2 hours apart, ours gets one teaspoon per meal....but, yes it should be fine. And, no prob. just hoping she feels better soon!