Ideas on dogs health??????

**nodmicks** · 01-30-2007, 02:14 PM

Our rott/doberman cross is almost 9. We have had 2 bladder infections since November. The last waslast week. They sold me Hills Prescription Diet WD. Well first it's $55 a bag. Second she hates it. Supposedly the point of the food is to lower the ph balance to prevent crystals in the urine.

Does anyone have any natural or alternative ideas>?

**wanderlusting** · 01-30-2007, 02:23 PM

have you tried www.drsfostersmith.com ? They usually have a good selection on medications and alternative medicines as well. Good luck!

**nodmicks** · 01-30-2007, 04:40 PM

Thank you! I'll check it out!

**Pemberleyan** · 02-07-2007, 04:06 PM

I don't know if this is the same Science Diet that is for kidney problems -- I guess that's called KD. Anyway, I had a dog on that -- she wasn't crazy about it -- for the last few years of her life. There are natural alternatives, but they may involve a lot of time on your part to prepare meals. Do a search on home-made dog diets, etc. Hope he does better!

**Sari** · 03-12-2007, 03:09 PM

W/d is usually for weight loss. Double check what your vet gave you. I believe k/d comes in a few flavor options - I know for cats it does. There's a Purina prescription brand for kidney problems...NF I think it's called. Call around to different vets to see if they have it and if it would be appropriate for your dog.

**ama** · 03-12-2007, 06:46 PM

I'm not certain if this would help but I give my dog a cup of yogurt everyday. And isn't yogurt supposed to be good for preventing urinary infections (woman usually)? Just a thought!

**Sari** · 03-12-2007, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by ama

I'm not certain if this would help but I give my dog a cup of yogurt everyday. And isn't yogurt supposed to be good for preventing urinary infections (woman usually)? Just a thought!

I think that's yeast infections.

**nodmicks** · 03-18-2007, 11:18 AM

Thanks for the info ladies! I recently ran across an article that baking soda in water lowers body ph. I'm going to give it a try!

**AheeK** · 03-18-2007, 05:36 PM

Well, I know cranberry juice is supposed to prevent bladder infections in people...I don't know if it would work for dogs.

**Sari** · 03-18-2007, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Sari

W/d is usually for weight loss. Double check what your vet gave you. I believe k/d comes in a few flavor options - I know for cats it does. There's a Purina prescription brand for kidney problems...NF I think it's called. Call around to different vets to see if they have it and if it would be appropriate for your dog.

Sorry, I had a brain lapse or something when I posted this. You said your dog has crystals in her urine, not kidney problems...duh.

Anyway, c/d, s/d, and u/d are all urine-related...

http://www.hillspet.com/zSkin_2/prod...=1174255300173

**Doodle Acres** · 04-12-2007, 09:21 AM

Hi Nodmicks
I have a great book called Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats by Diane Stein. There are pages of suggestions for very specific symptoms but one notable suggestion is at the first signs of a bladder infection, replace 1/3 of their water with cranberry juice. It creates a hostile invironment for the infection bacteria. I think the information in the book would be worth the effort for you to try to find it at the library.

**nodmicks** · 04-12-2007, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Doodle Acres

Hi Nodmicks
I have a great book called Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats by Diane Stein. There are pages of suggestions for very specific symptoms but one notable suggestion is at the first signs of a bladder infection, replace 1/3 of their water with cranberry juice. It creates a hostile invironment for the infection bacteria. I think the information in the book would be worth the effort for you to try to find it at the library.

Thanks! Sadly my baby had to be put to sleep on monday. I think my heart broke! I'll check out the book though as I have lots of critters. Thank you!