[evathedo*g]

My new girl Eva developed a UTI within 10 days of us adopting her. Upon reflection and discussion with her foster parents, we've deduced that she simply does not drink enough water.

In order to get her to drink more, I've poured her {filtered} water into a marked jug so that I can measure her outtake. At the very minimum I've been able to get her to drink 15 ounces (she weights 30 lbs b/c she is a tall mixed breed) daily.

I've tried:
* slowly pouring it to create a waterfall/moving effect
* treats & praise for drinking
* chicken broth
* kibble bits in the water dish
* water in the food dish at dinner
* ice cubes

This evening I accidently dropped some pasta water after draining on the floor and she liked it all up...so I tried pouring the drained HOT pasta water into her water dish and she drank all of it in less than a minute.

A few questions:
1) How do you get dogs to drink??
2) Does anyone's dog prefer warm/hot water?
3) Is pasta water bag?

Thanks!

 

[oldhounddog]

evathedo ,

Please give a little more information on UTI.

Has Eva been treated for the UTI ? If yes , please give diagnosis and what meds she was given. When treated and is she clear now?

Please give more information about Eva. For example: weight , spayed or not , general health and is she up to date on Vaccinations. This will help.

Do you know if there are any underlying issues that may contribute to the UTI.

..........................................................................................................................

Let me cover a few basic daily/weekly things that will help Eva. ( things you prolly already know )

Use stainless steel water and food dish and clean on a regular basis.

Feed the best kibble you can with no corn , wheat or soy with a named meat source as first ingredient . This does not have to be expensive if you have a local feed store. More on this later. What do you feed Eva now?

Is Eva drinking home source well water ? If yes , for now switch to store bought water.

............................................................................................................................

>A few questions:<
>1) How do you get dogs to drink??.............................< Find a food she likes and add water/broth to food. Remember any water helps total intake.

>2) Does anyone's dog prefer warm/hot water?...........< You do not want to give a dog anything Hot , Just think feeding a child. Lukewarm is good.

>3) Is pasta water bag?................................................< I would not say this is bad because you discovered something she likes , however , there may be other foods that are healthier and this will be the key to get her drinking more water. I think you will discover other foods she will like such as fat free beef or ham stock added to food.

...............................................................................................................................

I've tried:
* slowly pouring it to create a waterfall/moving effect
* treats & praise for drinking
* chicken broth
* kibble bits in the water dish
* water in the food dish at dinner
* ice cubes

You are doing a good job of trying to help your girl and it shows you care. I have great respect for those who care about the health of their pets.
These are my thoughts: When you find a food she really likes just add the broth and this will increase the total water intake just like you are doing now. I would not add anything to water dish , just keep it clean , and , it will help to pour water into her dish from a few inches above to cause aeration , which will improve taste and add oxygen. If she likes the ice , a little ice in her bowl may help.

This is what I would do: A bath at least once a week in lukewarm water ( not hot ) will help keep her female area bacteria free (very important). Dilute shampoo in water first so you will not be putting concentrate on dog which may be difficult to rinse out.

When you find something she is eating well with added liquid , try to add a 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar to each meal as this will help prevent UTI.

This will give you a start and I will be glad to offer more information if needed.

Best oldhounddog

 

[Mom2Beagles]

Both of my girls had UTI's pretty quickly after I adopted them from the shelter. They had just been spayed and I think that lead to the UTI's. Some dogs drink more water than others, my Molly drinks a pretty good amount and Vazzle just has a little bit. They LOVE when I put fresh cold water in a clean stainless steel bowl. They actually run to the bowl when I put it down.

 

[evathedo*g]

So do they no longer get them? Do you do anything 'special'?

 

[Mom2Beagles]

I don't do anything special at all for them. I think Molly may have had one more UTI after her first but they have been fine. This site has some good info on UTI's http://www.vetinfo.com/symptoms-canine-urinary-infection.html

 

[evathedo*g]

Hi there. I've tried replying to Best OldHounddog several times and neither of those posts have stuck. So I'm trying a smaller post and maybe it will work!

Eva's 2. She's in great health. She hasn't had another UTI since the first. We measure out 1 liter of water every day and pour some in with her food twice a day. We also discovered she loves fresh pasta water so we mix some of that into her water too. She doesn't like cold water at all. Ice cubes, not really. I have been using the Cranberry Wellness Powder from the natural pet store too.

So far so good. I'm hoping our preventative measures will help keep them away!!

 

[oldhounddog]

Uti

evathedo*g ,

I am so glad Eva is better now. As you have discovered , the prevention of UTI's can be a little trial and error and the use of everyday human foods and supplements is great , along with creative ways to enhance water intake. The waterfall effect for her water was a great thought on your part as it prolly makes her water taste better.

Here is a tip on posting to this forum: Write and edit your message on your computer , log in to our forum select reply and just copy and paste your message.
Also , you can log in to the forum and click on my screen name to use the email function if that works better for you.


Again , it is good to hear from you.

Best , oldhounddog