Like humans and other animals, dogs sometimes develop problems controlling their urine and experience pain while urinating. Often, the dog is diagnosed with a type of urinary track infection that is caused by such things as low acidity in the dog's diet or a metabolism change in your dog that affects his pH level. The vet determines this based on the fact that he discovered struvite crystals and/or low pH levels in the dog's urine. A course of treatment is then prescribed to make the dog's urine more acidic to help cure the urinary track infection.
Things You'll Need
- Prescribed Dog Food
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Vitamin C
- Cranberry Juice
Instructions
Get a prescription from your veterinarian for a special dog food that will produce more acid in your dog's urine. An example is Hill's S/D canned dog food. You can fill your prescription at pet stores like Petsmart and Petco. Usually your dog will be on this diet for about 2 weeks and then have her urine checked again for crystals and pH level.
Add some apple cider vinegar, vitamin C or cranberry juice to your dog's food and water. Talk to your vet to see if this is a suitable route for your dog's treatment and how much to add based on his weight and pH level. How much will also depend on your dog's tolerance of the new taste and texture. Have your dog's urine tested again in 1 or 2 weeks, based on what your vet says, to make sure it is raising your dog's pH level. You may need to continue giving these additives for the life of your dog.
Ask your vet if he has noticed an unusually high occurrence of struvite crystals and low pH urine levels in your area. Also, ask your neighbors who have dogs to see if they've had the same issue with their dogs. Perhaps it is the pH level in your water. Then, try giving your dog bottled or filtered water, or water from another source, like water from a friend's house. You may wish to do this in addition to one of the above-mentioned treatments.