urinary tract infections

Question
QUESTION: My 10 year old doxie rescue has recurring urinary tract infections. She is on antibiotics again after a urine culture. X-ray showed no stones. Your thoughts on adding a cranberry supplement or yogurt to her diet as a possible preventative?

ANSWER: Good morning, Mary.

I'm sorry your girl is having recurring urinary tract infections.

Adding cranberry is a great thing.  This will help prevent infection cells from adhering to the urinary walls and can certainly be helpful.

Adding either yogurt or just probiotics themselves can also be very beneficial to help maintain a property urinary PH.

Make sure, as well, that you are feeding a food that is made with good quality meat protein and plenty of moisture.

Once the UTI is completely cleared, a couple of weeks after stopping the antibiotics, start testing her urine to see where her PH is.  If her PH is not in the normal range, you should then look at changing her diet to achieve a proper PH.

I do hope she feels better.

Gail E. Vigneault

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QUESTION: Can I start her on yogurt now while she's on meds for the infection? If so, how much daily for a 20 pound dog?

I would guess cranberry would be in pill form. Do you recommend a brand? I would have to order that. Thank you.

Answer
You certainly can start giving her yogurt now.  While she's on an antibiotic, just make sure  you give it two hours before or after giving the antibiotic.  You can give your dog a couple of heaping teaspoons of yogurt with each meal.  Do make sure it is plain yogurt with live active cultures.

Any cranberry extract in capsule form is fine.  There are some powdered cranberry supplements made specifically for dogs as well.