Cures for Canine Bladder Infections

An unfortunate fact about dog ownership is that canines are sometimes prone to bladder infections, which may be painful for the dog and frustrating for the owner. Fortunately, there are several home remedies and vet-recommended cures a dog owner might opt to try in order to relieve a dog of its lower urinary tract infection.

Antibiotics

Most vets will recommend an antibiotic cure such as Clavimox, which is used to treat various infections in dogs from abscesses and wounds to bladder infections. Antibiotics may be recommended for use over five to seven days. Pets that don't respond may be taken back to the veterinarian for further evaluation. Treatment is usually not continued past 30 days. The problem with antibiotic treatments tends to be that owners desist use when the pet seems to be feeling better. Recurring issues, including more severe infections and bladder stones, may form if the issue is not nipped in the bud. Therefore, a vet may supplement antibiotic therapy with a special diet designed to break down stones and promote future bladder health.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Earth Clinic states that treating a dog by adding apple cider vinegar to its water can help cure bladder diseases. Such treatment ought not be attempted without consulting a vet, and if other treatments are recommended, apple cider vinegar should only be used in conjunction with them. In addition to recommended diet changes (which may be offered by licensed vets), the apple cider vinegar remedy has been demonstrated to help a pet overnight, reducing the pain and stress of the dog and producing healthy urination in a very short time.

Herbs and Homeopathy

Homeopathic and herbal cures provide another alternative. According to the Ohio State Veterinary Clinic, goldenrod horsetail compound is recommended by some vets as an alternative to, or in addition to, traditional antibiotics. By mixing this compound into a pet's food, some vets claim that the pet will begin to feel better within several days. Some remedies that work in humans with bladder or urinary tract infections may also be helpful in curing pets of such disease. For instance, vitamin C and cranberry pills, when added to a pet's normal diet, can either prevent infection from occurring or may alleviate the symptoms of an infection that has already set in. It should be noted, however, that any homeopathic remedy ought to be pursued only with the express recommendation of a veterinarian.