Dutch Shepherd Forum

I beleive Thalie has a UTI. she has been leaking alot. I found that Apple Cider vinegar helps, so I have been giving her 1TBs am and pm. It stopped for a few weeks. If I miss just one time adding to her food, she will leak again for a day or two. Id rather do this naturally and would like to avoid the vet. What do you guys think? Something more than a UTI or I just cannot miss one feeding. Also.... If I miss one feeding and it starts up again, does that mean she must be on ACV for the rest of her life? Not that it would be a bad thing, I have read such good things about it.

Thanks Guys

I have had really good luck with cranberry tablets as well. I just buy them OTC and the dogs love them. You can also add something to make her water more palatable so she wants to drink more and flush things through. You want to be careful though, to some degree. I don't know if you have ever had one, but they are EXTREMELY uncomfortable. If it has been a reoccurring thing, a round of antibiotics may get things under control quicker and more thoroughly and then you can just maintain with natural remedies.

Its been a few weeks now, the ACV worked great for a while, then last night and today she has been leaking really bad.


I have an appt with the vet tomorrow.

Dutchringgirl wrote:Its been a few weeks now, the ACV worked great for a while, then last night and today she has been leaking really bad.


I have an appt with the vet tomorrow.

Glad you have appt with vet. Ya never know what the problem could be. Hopefully, vet will ck kidneys too.

Yeah, that was bothering me too Barbara since it went away then came back. She isnt comfortable, she will go outside but not really go anywhere. In the morning they usually blast outside and make a few laps around the back before peeing and checking everything and Thalie just goes out, slow trot down the stairs and out a bit then goes to pee, no running. Even if I go out with her she will hang out on the deck for a bit and not really come down, I have to coax her.

Poor Thalie keep us posted.

you bet I will. thanks

Aww, sorry to hear. Def sounds like she is not herself. Hope it can be cleared up quickly. Sugar sends hugs.

Aww, Thalie thanks you Sugar and Sue

hmm, good luck at the vet's. Ivil had it once too, one round of antibiotics and it was gone, never came back either.

Sounds like cystitis/struvite crystals, maybe with a UTI. I use ACV & Cranberry in the daily diet here, but I also add Vitamine C. Have you checked the PH of her urine? My bet would be too Alkaline.
Crystals can lead to stones, which become a surgical problem.
Let us know how she is after seeing the Vet.

I was waiting for you Chris !! Thanks. How do I check the PH? Im leaving for the vet soon. Ill ask them. I do give them C also. Ill get some cranberry too.

The vet took a pee sample so she will test it. No obvious blood or anything. He temp and Respiration are good. No swolen lymp nodes.

The vet cant get over how white their teeth are. I told her I just throw them the meat and bone and chomp it up. Sadie is now 60 lbs and the vet likes how she looks now.

You can get Ph sticks at any pharmacy, but then you also have to know what is normal and what is not for a dog. Changing the chemistry will help with infection, but if it has embedded into the bladder wall, it need a whole lotta help getting out.

Dutchringgirl wrote:The vet took a pee sample so she will test it. No obvious blood or anything. He temp and Respiration are good. No swolen lymp nodes.

So you are now waiting for the results? No treatment yet?

Yep, waiting for them to test it.

I think they test the PH. I got cranberry tablets from my vet when Letty was a puppy and they worked really well. Wish I could remember the brand...There was another holistic med we gave her too. Maybe made by Heel?

Test is in. NO UTI. The vet would like to do blood work to check for anything else. Thalie is 10 and in great shape but maybe is having a problem holding her pee and she is drinking alot. Its been super hot and humid here for a while. The vet also has a hormone for older girls that would help with holding. If I am diligent on the ACV she dosnt leak at all. Would regular cranberrys work?

Glad there's no infection! If it's just old age incontinence (or spay related), I would look into one of the holistic remedies. rather than the diethylstilbestrol (DES) most Vets seem to use.

As far as the cranberry---I think the capsules work just fine, and are probably more concentrated and cheaper.

As a bed for my old, incontinent girls, I use an old baby mattress with a fake sheepskin and crib sheet. Very easy to clean and the girls all loved it!

PS: I look for a PH to be around 6.5 but be aware that it will usually fluctuate throughout the day. I test first thing in the morning.