Natural Supplements

Question
Hi

My dog is a 12 year old Jack Russell X Collie.  I was looking into giving her some natural supplements and was wondering what was best.  I have had excellent results from the Serene-um which is the only thing that worked when she would get so stressed over fireworks.  Recently she has been wetting her bed when she sleeps, which only came on after her annual booster.  My vet assures me that there is nothing wrong, although only blood tests would say for sure, but he does not seem overly concerned.  She was very ill after her booster and it has taken her the best part of 3 weeks to get back to herself, apart from the occasional bed wetting.  I have researched and found Homeopet Natural Remedy for No More Leaks.  I really don't want to go down the route of drugs from the vet at this time and was wondering what advice you can give on supplements?

Also 2 years ago she ruptured a disc in her neck which Paralyzed her from the neck down, she required spinal surgery form a specialist, which i do have to say was very successful.  Should i be supplementing her for this do you think?

Any advice would be helpful

Many Thanks

Answer
Hi Helen,

It's really quite common for older female dogs to develop urinary tract infections or urinary incontinence. Either would cause a dog to wet herself in bed, and neither require a blood test to diagnose.
A urinary tract infection can be detected by doing an urinalysis test (to do so, the vet will obtain a sample of your dog's urine) or a urine culture and sensitivity to evaluate for presence of bacterial urinary tract infection. A blood test would be run to evaluate your dog's general health and function of other body systems, such as how her kidneys are functioning.

If your dog has a urinary tract infection, that's something that is very treatable. You don't want to put off treatment as it is an internal infection that could be complicated the longer it goes untreated.

You might want to consult with a holistic veterinarian so you'll be giving your dog supplements that would do the most good. You can locate a holistic veterinarian here:
http://www.holisticvetlist.com/
 
The fact your dog had a disk injury a few years back might also be responsible for the current urine problem. Your dog is getting older, and the weakness caused by her injury might be catching up to her.

There are quite a few possible causes of urinary incontinence in dogs. Before you try any herbal treatment, it is important that you get a proper diagnosis from your veterinarian to see if there is another problem or health issue causing the incontinence.

Long-term use of some tonic herbs that strengthen and support the function of the bladder's smooth muscles can be effective in treating incontinence in dogs. Some such tonic herbs include:

Corn Silk - This herb supports normal urine flow and strong bladder emptying action. Corn silk also contains mucilage, which produces a soothing effect on the lining of the urinary tract.

Saw Palmetto - This herb is commonly used for its anti-inflammatory effects on mucous membranes. It also supports bladder control and muscle tone. In addition, it strengthens the prostate and normalizes sex hormone levels.

Oatstraw - Oatstraw contains estrogenic compounds and can help stimulate hormonal production in the body.

Wild Yam - This herb has anti-inflammatory properties and may help resolve urinary tract issues. Also, similar to oatstraw, wild yam has also been found to have hormone-normalizing effects.

Plaintain - Plaintain is widely used for various urinary ailments. It has anti-inflammatory effects on mucuous membranes.

Other tonic herbs that are effective for incontinence include horsetail, uva ursi, marshmallow, yarrow, and rashberry leaf.

Though natural, these supplements can have interactions with medications your dog might be taking, so you should talk to your vet before starting any supplement - natural or otherwise.

You might want to get a few absorbent house training pads to put in your dog's bed. You also want to wash your dog well if she's getting soaked by her own urine, to help prevent infection and skin irritation. Use an anti-bacterial soap to wash the genitals and surrounding area. Gently pat dry with a clean towel or use a hair drier on low if she allows it.

Sadly, nothing will turn the clock back on your dog's disk injury. You can try using a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement to help strengthen the damaged cartilage. This does nothing to control pain. It has to be given daily, and it takes about 8 weeks before it reaches therapeutic levels. Ester-C, an vitamins A and E are effective antioxidants and are beneficial for dogs with back problems, talk to your vet before using them, to get the correct dose. Your dog might benefit from a Veterinary Acupuncturist, you can locate one here:

http://www.aava.org/php/aava_blog/aava-directory/

http://www.ivas.org/Members/VetSearch/tabid/124/Default.aspx

Best of luck,
Patti