Bladder/Urinary Supplements

[q.maley]

Well, I'm wondering if there is anything that I can add to my ACD's diet that will help him maintain a better urinary and bladder health. Yet again, he has a UTI, (sad!) and I'm feeling horrible because I don't know what he is not getting, he has multiple water dishes in the house, all are cleaned and freshly watered, and I'm simply curious if there is a daily supplement that I can give him to help his issues decrease.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[Fundog]

Cranberry tablets may or may not help to resolve his problems, but they certainly won't hurt him one bit. You can purchase cranberry tablets in the people vitamin section of your local supermarket.

What kind of tests has your vet done to find the root cause of these recurring infections?

[q.maley]

Nothing yet, or at least for this last time. One UTI before this, we did a scan of his kidneys to see if he had a a kidney stone or something.

This may be random, but I've grown up with horses and I know that male horses can get a build up at the exit of their urinary tract, smagma (I think I spelled that wrong but..)and I was wondering if male dogs get that too? Could that be causing these? I've noticed if Preacher flips over for a belly rub, that there is some sort of light colored build up at the opening of his urinary tract. It's kind of a large collection at times and so it's noticeable, where at other times its not there.

What are some other tests I could look into having done to see whats going on? I'm on a budget so I need to figure out what is going to be most cost effective.

[q.maley]

I need to say too, while I'm thinking of this, that yesterday afternoon, he was laying on the floor and had an accident, right then and there - as if it just leaked right out of him, and it smelled terrible!

[Nettle]

I suspect that the original UTI has never properly cleared up. It is sometimes very hard to clear these infections. You would be best to go back to your vet and ask to be referred to a specialist.