Sunday, September 6, 2009

Chronic UTIs and Dogs Licking Genital Area

Thank you so much for submitting a question to our blog. We welcome questions and are happy to help you.

Q: My female dog also licks her vaginal area a lot and barks likes she's in pain. I've taken her to the vet several times and they just tell me she has mild bladder infection. They give me an antibiotic and send me on my way. It might clear up for a little while but then it comes right back. These trips and medication get expensive. Any suggestions to clear this up? Types of dog food? I've heard of apple cider vinegar? Thanks in advance. -Joy
September 2, 2009 3:34 PM

Response: This is a common problem. When female dogs are licking at their genital area chronically, it is typically because they either have yeast overgrowth (just like human women!) or a urinary tract infection (UTI). Your veterinarian will give you antibiotics but many times, the infection just comes right back. This is because the bad bacteria grows back faster than the good bacteria. The good bacteria helps your pet's immune system to fight off infection. What can you do to improve your pet's immune system and get the infection under control?
1) Change diets--use a low carbohydrate diet such as a raw food diet
2) Use supplements to help rebalance the flora: Our Pet UTI Prevention Package includes a full spectrum of supplements to help your dog ward off UTIs for good including Pet UTI Prevention Formula (herbs to fight off UTIs), Power Probiotic, Notatum (boosts immune function and fights infection) and Amazing Omegas (reduces inflammation)
3) Reduce inflammation which is causing the infection to recur in the first place by avoiding key allergens such as wheat (found in dog biscuits) and peanut butter.

We have helped hundreds of pet owners get rid of UTIs for good! It is natural to feel discouraged but until you have tried the full low carbohydrate, hypoallergenic diet program along with the supplements, you won't see the results you are hoping for.
Monday, August 3, 2009

Daisy the Rescue Dog Loses 31 lbs! Amazing Dog Weight Loss Success!



This is an amazing dog weight loss success story. Pictured above are before and after pictures of Daisy, the Ariel Rescue wonder dog who has now gone from 118 pounds to 87 pounds! Look at the difference in coat quality and body frame. Karen, head Ariel Rescue volunteer is doing a terrific job helping her to get to her ideal weight of 80 pounds. In the top picture, Daisy is wearing her backpack which helps her lose weight on her twice-daily walks. Below is Daisy's original photo. Daisy was so obese she could hardly walk. She could hardly get up. Her coat was dull and she could hardly wear a collar because it would fall off her head--her neck was so big the collar would just fall right off. Her owners dumped her at the shelter after they fed her nonstop. Her nipples were hanging down practically to the ground because they bred her in this awful condition!
Now, Daisy has a sleek gorgeous coat using our Amazing Omegas fish oil and is able to walk for miles. Every day, Karen and Daisy walk first thing in the morning and at night. Karen has kept her on a strict diet and given her plenty of green vegetables to fill her up. Daisy is full of energy and happy to be alive. She will soon be at her ideal weight and will find a forever home who will love and cherish her.
Thursday, July 30, 2009

Dog With Chronic UTIs--Response To Roxy's Mom

Anonymous said...
I found this blog really interesting. My dog Roxy has suffered chronic uti's for many years. I bring her to the vet and they just give me the same old antibiotics. I feed her Nutro Max dog food and Costco dog biscuits. Do u have any suggestions?-Roxy's MOm in Washington State.

Susan Blake Davis, CCN Response to Roxy's Mom:

Thanks so much for following the Holistic Vet and Pet Nutrition Journal. We really appreciate it and are hoping to get more followers. There is a lot you can do to help Roxy. Unfortunately, there are many people just like you who care so much about their pets and are discouraged to see their pets suffer with these painful urinary tract infections.

First, it is important to know how much diet affects chronic UTIs. Many times both dogs and cats suffer with urinary tract infections primarily as a result of the food they are eating. There are two major contributing factors: food allergies (e.g. grains, corn, milk products, chicken, etc) and also too many carbohydrates. Many pet owners don't realize that giving their dogs biscuits can contribute to allergies (itching, scratching, skin problems) as well as to chronic UTIs. And... many dog foods (such as the one you are using) contain grains, corn or wheat gluten all of which can be potential allergens. The allergic food creates a lot of inflammation and creates an environment where yeast and bacteria can overgrow. Carbohydrates feed yeast and bad bacteria.

Then, as you give your dog antibiotics, the problem clears up for a short while only to return again. So....the food is one culprit but also you need to replenish the dog and cat's immune system with good bacteria that were killed by the antibiotics. Antibiotics kill both the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria enabling yeast to overgrow. This is a viscious cycle and is often seen frequently in many women as well. To combat this, we need to get our pets (and ourselves) on a reduced carbohydrate diet free of high allergen foods and use supplements to help rebuild and repair.

The products that will really help Roxy with her condition are PET UTI Prevention Formula, Probiotic and Notatum for starters and then if the problem persists, it would be best to schedule a consultation. Please be sure to change her diet---you might want to consider changing her diet to a hypoallergenic canned or raw food diet. Avoid biscuits and other treats that contain grains and use Wildside Salmon treats or vegetables such as baby carrots in their place.
Saturday, July 25, 2009

Dogs and Cats with Anxiety and Emotional Issues


Sometimes dogs and cats can have physical health issues that are rooted in emotional issues and anxiety. For example, cats can get urinary tract infections from stress. They can act nervous around strangers, jumpy from different sounds, show fear of unusual things (e.g. slippery floors, elevators), chew obsessively on the same spot, urinate outside of the litter box or act aggressively. Sometimes there may be a physical cause for this such as a a thyroid imbalance or rash or infection. But, sometimes it is just emotional anxiety. If it is just an occassional issue such as going to the veterinarian's office, then you can try Rescue Remedy which is available at most stores. But, if you have a pet with a chronic history of showing these behaviors OR a rescue pet whose background where you have limited information, the first step is to take them to your veterinarian. Be sure you have ruled out any possible health issues. For example, one client recently told me about how her dog stood right in front of her and urinated on the floor. She interpreted this to mean some type of behavioral issue as the dog was young and going through training. But, I urged her to take her to the veterinarian and sure enough, she had a raging urinary tract infection. So....it is always best to check with your veterinarian first.


Once you have ruled out a health issue, you might want to try Psystabil. Psystabil (available on http://www.askariel.com/ helps to rebalance your pet's emotional state and can really, really help over time. It is not like giving your pet a valium where it works instantly. Over time though, you will see your pet show an inclination to doing some of the things they were previously anxious about and just seem more content. For example, we had a rescue dog Tessie who had been cruelly locked in her cage as a breeding dog for most of her life. She was terrified of most people and refused to go into fun places like pet stores. I started giving her Psystabil and after 1 bottle, she was going more places and just seemed so much happier. It is certainly worth a try!
Friday, July 3, 2009

Giardia--Diarrhea, Caring for A Dog with Giardia and Preventing Reinfection


Sydney, the rescue dog, is making tremendous progress. She was rescued from South Central Shelter and weighed under 40 lbs. Her normal weight should be 55 lbs. She was completely infested with parasites (including Giardia) and worms which were eating all of her food. She was eating huge amounts of food but no weight gain and constant diarrhea. It is now over 3 weeks since she has been rescued and while we have made terrific progress, we still have a long way to go. Sydney had a bad case of kennel cough, skin infections, vaginal infections, parasites, worms and was emaciated. She has gained weight and today we received notification that she is now free of all parasites and worms!!!! This is cause for celebration but was no easy task. And, there is a high likelihood of reoccurence so it is important that I explain all that needs to be done to prevent reoccurence.

Giardia is not just found in rescue dogs.....Many of our clients who have purchased their dogs from the very best breeders have dogs that have been effected. I have treated MANY Yorkies and Maltese for example, that have had repeat infestations. Follow up care using diet and special supplements such as Power Probiotic and Colostrum for Pets will greatly help.

Giardia is very common and can easily be transmitted to humans, particularly children. It is not unusual to hear of entire schools being effected. Giardia is a protozoal infection of the intestines that is transmitted by water or fecal ingestion. Giardia causes intermittent diarrhea and/or vomiting  However, SOME PETS MAY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS!!!!! It is very important to get your dog a fecal smear annually to doublecheck. I know the doggie day care where I take Bleu has always required it. Why? Because it spreads like wildfire and is very, very difficult to control.

I am happy to report that because of tremendous effort, Sydney is now free of Giardia, although one follow up precautionary treatment for both the worms and the parasites is still due. One rule of thumb when it comes to parasites: Cleanliness is next to Godliness! Do not just rely on the medication from your veterinarian. You must actively treat the dog's environment to ensure that you not only rid your pet of parasites but that they do not reoccur.

1) Wash your pet and your pet's bedding several times during the first 2 weeks of the treatment period. Your veterinarian will most likely prescribe Flagyl + Panacur. Even though the Panacur is only for a few days, the Flagyl most likely will be for 7-10 days.

2) Use a baby wipe or wet paper towel and gloves to wipe your dog's rear end after your dog defecates.

3) Keep your dog separated in an isolated area. I know this is a very big challenge for people with multiple pets. You may want to ask your veterinarian about proactively treating other pets although the medications can be harsh and cause other problems. However, this parasite is so contagious, you have to think about what is good for you and your family and your other pets in the long run. Be sure your infected pet only urinates and defecates in an isolated area away from where other pets may go. My recommendation would be to have them go in a garage or side area so that you can easily pick up the stool.

4) ALWAYS wear gloves when picking up stool infested with giardia or parasites/worms and then throw the baggie into another baggie with a tie on top. Immediately pick up the stool if possible. Giardia can set into the ground, worms can can into the soil.....I just cannot say enough about how clean you need to be!

5) After you clean up the area, please use Bleach or a cleaning product containing bleach. I went through 24 rolls of paper towels in a 10 day period and several bottles of cleanser. I washed my shoes after walking on the infected area as cleaning up diarrhea is not easy and it is easy to step on it (ick!).

6) Keep children, workmen, pets and housekeepers away from the trash. I put a big note on my trash barrel making sure the gardener knew to use an alternate bin.

Additionally, it is important to know that pets affected with giardia will need a great deal of after-care. Many pets can develop inflammatory bowel disease because the inflammation in the bowel has not been addressed. Read more about IBD in dogs and how to treat it.
Sunday, June 28, 2009

Ariel Rescue Saves Sydney the Emaciated Rescue Dog



Pictured above is Sydney, previously reported as Gypsy on 6/14, the ravaged and emaciated shelter dog from South Central Shelter. She is still very skinny but is making great progress. When Rhonda from Husky Haven rescued Sydney from South Central shelter, she could barely walk a few steps. She was so weak, her legs gave way underneath her. Sydney had 4 types of parasites including giardia, worms, was flea-infested and had a very bad upper respiratory infection.. Even though she is a very young dog under a year old, she was nearly dead. This truly shows the effects of not vaccinating, worming or caring from a dog. Sydney was an expensive dog most likely purchased from a breeder but her owners most likely never took her to the veterinarian. While we want to always use a holistic/nutritional approach when caring for our pets, this shows the incredible need for vaccinations, worming and flea treatments and when can happen when a pet is not given them.

Sydney is now in her 3rd week of care and is now being fostered by Ariel Rescue. She was so sick and is a full time job for anyone. Her giardia is highly contagious and she needed to be isolated from other dogs. Rhonda is caring for 30 homeless dogs at Husky Haven and Sydney needed serious medical intervention to survive. Dr. Gordon and I have been caring for Sydney and she is now transforming into the husky puppy she was meant to be. While still coughing, her respiratory infection is steadily improving and she is finally gaining weight! Black color is re-emerging in her gray fur and she is starting to get into much mischief. Every day she is gaining more energy and is starting to pull on a leash--uh oh! We are so happy Sydney was able to pull through.


Ariel Rescue is gratefully accepting donations on Sydney's behalf. We would be so appreciative of any type of donation to help pay for Sydney's extensive veterinary bills. Please send a donation to Ariel Rescue, P.O. Box 723 Dana Point, CA 92629 We will send you a tax deductible receipt for your thoughtful contribution.
Thursday, June 25, 2009

Cat Hairballs: Treatment Options for Hairballs in Cats




Dear Dr. Gordon: My 12 year old cat has had a problem with vomiting most of her life, but now it is happening much more frequently. Sometimes it is hair, sometimes it is food and hair and sometimes it is just fluid that she throws up. She seems to be losing weight and doesn't have the same appetite she did even a few months ago. I am thinking that she might have a hairball problem. What do you think? EM

Dear EM: There is no question that cat’s ingest a lot of hair during grooming and that this hair can be the source of a lot of problems. Fortunately for most cats, the ingestion of hair during grooming seldom presents much of a problem IF the cat is healthy otherwise.

If you have ever examined you cat’s tongue closely, you will notice tiny bristles on the dorsal (top) surface of the tongue that do an excellent job of removing debris and hair from the cat’s body. During the course of grooming, it is inevitable that large amounts of hair will be ingested. The interesting thing to me is that every cat in the world grooms and grooms excessively, but not every cat in the world is prone to problems with hairball. Why is that? Most veterinarians involved in feline medicine and research now believe that cats developing hairball problems are either otherwise sick and debilitated OR they may have an underlying intestinal motility disorder that allows the hair to accumulate in one area and not pass safely through the intestinal tract.

By cats being sick and debilitated, I am referring to aging cats that are not drinking enough water to stay hydrated or have underlying disease states that cause excessive water loss, like renal insufficiency. When these cats go from mildly dehydrated (barely detectable) to moderately dehydrated (with obvious tenting of the skin when you lift up the skin), the net result is that any water present in the ingesta becomes absorbed through the intestinal lining leaving behind a dry mass of stool, food, and hair. Since these cats are sick or debilitated otherwise, they probably do not have enough strength to push out this hard mass. The end result can be a difficult or painful defecation or worse, a complete obstruction of the intestine or colon. Sometimes this is so dramatic that surgery must be performed to remove the obstruction. Occasionally younger cats will ingest string or other foreign material that will serve to trap hair in the stomach and intestine. This can also cause an obstruction by this foreign material.

There are some simple things you can do to prevent your kitty from developing hairballs. Older cats (cats 10 years of age or older) should be checked by the veterinarian twice yearly to assess their health status and state of hydration. The veterinarian will be able to detect subtle changes in hydration and also be able to catch potential problems early enough to avoid costly procedures and/or surgery. If cats are in early renal insufficiency and are having trouble maintaining their hydration, subcutaneous fluids can be administered by the doctor or the owner to aid hydration. In addition, adding Omega 3 fatty acids to their diet will reduce shedding, improve coat quality and reduce hairballs overall.

Frequent brushing will remove excess hair and discourage your cat from ingesting excessive loose hair. There are also commercial hairball formulas available (laxatone, petromalt) that can be given to your cat to aid in lubricating the hair so that it can be easily passed through the digestive tract. These are flavored petroleum jelly products that are flavored so that they will be acceptable by the cats. They are usually very palatable and easy to give. Typical directions on these products say to administer them twice weekly, but if your cat is having trouble passing hair, I usually have the owner give it twice DAILY. I have never had a problem giving the product too often, but I have had problems not having given it enough.

Motility modifiers (medications that allow the intestinal tract to aid in peristalsis or the rhythmic contractions necessary to move the ingesta) may be prescribed by the veterinarian to aid in this problem. Reglan or metoclopramide is a common drug used for this problem. Again, giving your cat Omega 3 fatty acids will not only help with hair quality but may help increase motility and bowel movements. Pumpkin may be helpful as well.

There are hairball treats and a hairball diet that can be given to discourage the accumulation of hair in the digestive tract. These products contain enzymes that act to break down the hair and prevent the hair from creating a problem.  Most of the time, hairballs are harmless and can be controlled by simple means. Occasionally, hairballs can be a big problem and require costly hospitalization and surgery.



Originally Published 6/25/2009
Updated 3/9/2024