by Alexandra Bastedo www.abcanimalsanctuary.co.uk
Urinary infections usually become obvious when the dog or cat has trouble urinating, or passes blood, or it may start to pee in unfamiliar places. Some vets suspect that urinary tract disease may be due to feeding dry commercial foods over a long period of time. It is advisable to stop immediately and the dog or cat should be given chicken or turkey with green vegetables, or if necessary a very pure brand free from additives, preservatives, colourants and sugars.
My scavenging puppy Pip has had cystitis from all the rubbish he has been eating and I have even had to resort to making him wear a muzzle when he is unsupervised for his own good. He got better with a combination of Synulox antibiotics and Cantharis 30.
There also seems to be a link between regular worming and urinary problems particularly in female cats. If I don’t worm my white cat Duchess approximately every 8 weeks she seems to be vulnerable to cystitis although I have found that administering Cantharis 30 right at the start can avert it in the early stages. Likewise she also is on a very pure sugar-free diet with no colourants or additives as found in Walthams Sensitive Diet or Denes original chicken and turkey.
In bad cases I would give my rescued animals Vitamins C (500-1000mg), E (50iu), a B complex (20mg) without yeast and a quarter of a teaspoon of cod liver oil daily. When the condition subsides I would administer a daily intake of a canine (or feline) multi-vitamin-mineral powder and antioxidant along with vitamin C (100mg) and a quarter of a teaspoon of cod liver oil twice a week.
However if your pet is in obvious distress and its condition has become acute you should see a vet as quickly as possible.
Herbally: Cranberry juice (diluted one part to three parts water) or barley water can help. Parsley is also a good diuretic.
Alexandra Bastedo is the author of “The Healthy Dog” and “The HealthyCat” books which are recommended by vets and her personal autobiography “Beware Dobermanns, Donkeys and Ducks”. They are available on the sanctuary website along with an enchanting DVD filmed amongst all the animals on how to look after chickens. Payment by Paypal or by cheque to the ABC Animal Sanctuary PO Box 2195 West Chiltington Pulborough West Sussex RH20 “JU. www.abcanimalsanctuary.co.uk
Alexandra is the patron of several animal charities , is a former RSPCA branch president and is the founder of the ABC Animal Sanctuary and rescue centre. Any donations are gratefully received. Our PO Box isis PO BOx 219,West Chiltington, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 2XB.
copyright Alexandra Bastedo.
