Urinary
tract disorders: How to prevent them and
how to treat them
By Gregory
L. Tilford
Photo: Gregory L. Tilford
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Considering
which herbs to use
Once you have critically assessed and
adjusted an animal’s diet, you can
consider herbs as an effective means to
relieve The delicate-looking uva-ursi
leaves, pictured above, pack a powerful
chemical compound which helps heal high-acid
urinary tract infections. discomfort and
to assist in the natural healing process.
Determination of exactly which herbs to
use, proper dosage, and duration of herbal
therapy will vary from animal to animal,
and is best left up to an experienced
veterinary herbalist. If you choose to
pursue the use of urinary tract herbs
without consulting a holistic pet care
professional, you should first become
familiar with the nature of the herbs,
and how to best apply them to your specific
animal. Whenever possible, use herbal
products that are formulated specifically
for your type of animal by a reputable
veterinary herbalist. Read the manufacturer’s
literature, and follow the label suggestions
for proper dosing and use. With all of
that said, several safe and effective
herbs come to mind that can work effectively
in your dog, cat, or even your bird.
Although each case of urinary tract disease
is different, most involve inflammation
of delicate membrane tissues. That’s
why urinary tract herbs that have direct,
anti-inflammatory effects in the urinary
tract top my list of favorites.
By far, the most widely recognized herbal
medicine in this category is cranberry
juice. The tart, astringent nature of
cranberry juice causes an immediate, contracting
effect on mucous membranes. Because of
this, cranberry, fed twice daily, might
help reduce urinary tract inflammation
in your dog or cat very quickly. Cranberry
is also antibacterial, antioxidant (it’s
high in vitamin C), and may help to temporarily
acidify urine in the bladder. All of this
makes cranberry especially useful in cases
where elevated (alkaline) urine pH presents
a problem. By bringing urine pH levels
back down into normal range, the urinary
tract environment is less favorable to
reproduction of bacteria, and in some
instances, the formation of urinary stones.
Remember that most commercial brands of
cranberry juice are full of sugar and
may not be appropriate for your companion.
A better option may be a powder cranberry
product that is designed specifically
for use in your type
of animal.
However, cranberry cannot inhibit all
types of bacteria and fungi, and if the
problem already includes acidic urine,
you may want to consider another herb.
Fortunately, there are many other choices
for the herbalist to consider in the treatment
of urinary inflammation. For example,
the high tannin content of Uva-ursi leaf
tea (Arctostaphylos uvaursi) makes this
member of the Heath family even more astringent
than cranberry juice so it often serves
as a better choice in cases with minor
bleeding in the urine. Unlike cranberry
juice, Uva-ursi doesn’t acidify
the urine, making it more appropriate
for use in animals with low pH (high acid)
urine. Uva-ursi also contains a natural
chemical compound called arbutin, which,
in a high-acid urinary tract, chemically
transforms into a very effective antibiotic
and antiinflammatory medicine. However,
the tannin constituents of 28 animal Uva-ursi
are too strong to use continuously for
more than a couple of days, and animals
with preexisting kidney disease should
not use it at all. Gentler alternatives
include cornsilk (Zea mays), plantain
leaf (Plantago spp.), or couchgrass (Agropyron
repens), which are better suited for long-term,
generalpurpose, anti-inflammatory use.
Demulcent herbs which serve to protect,
lubricate and soothe inflamed tissues
may prove useful too, especially in cases
where irritation is constantly aggravated
by the presence of calculi (stones, crystals
or “gravel”) in the urine.
My number one choice here, marshmallow
root (Althea officinalis), contains an
impressive amount of slippery, oily mucilage.
A good-quality, alcohol-free marshmallow
root extract has a water-soluble consistency
similar to heavy gear oil, and it relieves
pain associated with the passage of urinary
calculi. Please remember, though, if you
suspect that your animal has stones, see
a veterinarian as your companion’s
condition could be quite serious.
Marshmallow also contains an assortment
of antimicrobial and immunestimulating
compounds especially well-suited to urinary
tract applications in most types of domestic
animals.
Administer
herbal preparations on an empty stomach
Herbal teas and tinctures are usually
the better forms of herbal preparations
for treating urinary tract illness because
they carry the medicinal plant compounds
into the urine quickly and completely.
All forms, including powders, capsules,
Chinese herbs and liquids, should be fed
on an empty stomach.
By paying close attention to your animal’s
diet and being aware of the first subtle
signs of discomfort, you may save your
animal from a life of chronic urinary
tract disease.
Gregory
L. Tilford is a well-known veterinary
herbalist who serves as a professional
consultant to hundreds of holistic veterinarians
throughout North America. He is author
of four books, including All You Ever
Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets (Bowtie,
1999), which he co-authored with his wife,
Mary. |
