Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Question about UTI & Cranberry Juic

Matilda was diagnosed mid March of this year. She has been doing quite well after her first (and only) blood transfusion (packed cells), other than she developed a UTI about 3 weeks ago. It was cultured (proteus) and found to be resistant to 2 antibiotics, so we put her on clavamox. It helped and we thought she was fine, but this morning I noticed that her urine was getting "that smell" again. I talked to her vet this afternoon (and I realized all over again how wonderful he really is!) Since Matilda is not really exhibiting any symptoms right now, and he is concerned about her developing more resistance to other antibiotics and the possible effects of her being on them so much, he suggested I try cranberry juice concentrate. Has anyone ever tried that with their dogs? I know I have heard about it for people. I just wondered if anyone had used it - or might have some other alternative approaches to fighting off recurrent UTI''s ?

Jeanne Texas

Hi Jeanne. Glad to hear that Matilda is doing well overall and that you have a good vet. My dog, Duck, had a couple of UTI's in the early months of his illness and I remember asking the internist if cranberry juice would be helpful. She said that we could try it - that it works in dogs much the same as in people. We didn't end up using it though because Duck takes cyclosporine. I can't remember where my husband got the information from but apparently cyclosporine and cranberry juice are not to be taken together. Otherwise, I would think it would be good to try. Take care. deb and Duck

Debbie BC Canada

Debbie, Thanks for the information. I just googled that on the net and found this article, which kind of clarifies the research on what was thought to be a potential problem. Apparently, turns out that cranberry juice and cyclosporine isn't a problem as I I think I will give it a try. I get to worked up when I have to introduce something new into Matilda's system, but I suppose that is one of the "side effects" of dealing with this strange, crazy and hateful disease. I hope Duck is still doing well. and I will post later to let everyone know how the cranberry juice works out for Matilda. jeanne

jeanne texas

We've used the cranberry capsules available OTC at pharmacies for Cody. They are great for helping the urinary tract and also a wonderful antioxidant.

Betty Dallas

We have used the powered version called Cranberry Comfort, I don't think it is good to use it all the time though, I just mix a scoop in her food. We also have used Vertri-Science, UT Strength and that has really seemed to help, same thing you don't use it all the time just 7-14 days or until results occur.

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

I have been giving mine a one a day cranberry capsul for over a yar, almost 2 years. I started it when my 11 year old golden developed a kidney infection and "trash" in his urine. He was on antibiotics, ut I continued with the daily cranberry aafter he was well and he never developed the problem again. And I just give it to KayCee and Honey as a preventative. It is suppoe to help clean out the kidneys. I also give hem very low dose of milk thistle every day. KayCee's blood work before her surgery Friday showed her kidneys and liver were "great". I think it helps. And as a matter of rfact, hubby and I both also takethe one a day cranberry cap every day. He is a long haul trucker and those rigs jus bea a drivers' kidnys to death. He has not had the back ace since being on cranberry as he did before. And for the record, between Paril 20 and May 20th he drove 13,420 miles, which included a trip from Houston TX to Anchorage Alaska and then back down here to Corpus. He was home 3 days an then left out Thrusday for Quebec. He really believes the cranbrry helps, ad so do I.

Sandra

Hi all, Kent has also developed bacteria resistent to antibiotics, his is enteroccus. I have been thinking of trying something like cranberry for this (what is mg of capsules you all use?), and have also been looking around on the internet for other approaches, and have found a couple of products i wonder if anyone has tried or been told specifically not to use because of the AIHA. 1- tinkle tonic by animal apawthecary 2- renelix - drops, not sure who makes them 3- UTI-Max 4- Acutor All of these are mixes of vitamins and herbal extracts, such as uva ursi and more. I think it would be great to know what others have or have not used for specific reasons and how they worked. Kent has developed various UTIs from the drugs and various antibiotics, and i know the same is true for other dogs out there. In addition to all the other problems that can develop by using the drugs to save them, some like Kent develop kidney and other problems, compounding the whole problem and treatment. For example, Kent has been prescribed vetriscience renal support, and when i looked at the ingredients it has Cordyceps (100mg) in it, and cordyceps is known for increasing 'good killer cells' and i asked our naturopath vet about this and she said it was OK for him (i'm not super-convinced). I've seen said about renelix that it can dissolve some small forming stones (skeptical) and kill off bacteria. I actually called one seller of it that offered a free 10minute consult with a doctor, required to buy the renelix, who then spent ten minutes trying to sell me special japanese 'hydrogen water sticks' saying they would make the renelix ten times more effective. He (not a vet, never asked about my dog) also suggested i feed kent 'raw milk, raw meat, carrot juice' use hydrogen sticks etc and another few consultations and we would have a program guaranteed to 'cure' Kent. I only wish it was so easy. No, I'm not calling back or buying japanese water sticks. I would invite anyone who has looked at naturopathic products, glandulars, etc to contribute to this conversation so we can all learn what works for some and what is definitely NOT good for AIHA dogs. Thanks, Christine and Kent

Christine FL

Jeanne, Thanks for your comments. Bear has been in Gulf Coast's Critical Care for the past ten days and I do believe that they are knowledgable and caring, his case is just very difficult.

stephanie houston tx

Hi, I have a 13 year old cat with stage II renal failure, an adrenal mass, arthritis and enteroccus and hypertension. Charlotte is on Metacam for the arthritis and we tried 6 weeks of Clavomox for the infection, but it came right back. I started using the Renelix in April and had her kidney values checked last week and they were better. I don't not know if it was the Renelix that helped, but I am going to keep using it. I also put a little Aleo juice in her water, George's. I also give her Fage yogurt, when she will eat it; for the probiotics. I would be interested to hear more about the cranberry juice for the infection. I was also using Oxicell, but my vet contacted a boarded herbalist that, basically said it was crap. I will keep you updated on the Renelix. Charlotte has to go on Norvasc and we will be testing her blood on a regular basis, so I will be able to see how her kidneys are affected.

Marsha NC

i have been giving my dog Sway cranberry extract pills for months for that very reason of 'just avoiding' future UTI's... go to vitacost and check out the NSI cranberry extract 400mg pills. i give her half a pill every single day and we have not had 1 UTI since, there is no side effects that we have came across and it has been a very positive addition to this whole AIHA process i would recommend it very much. wishing Matilda well

Josh California

My Maddie also had antibiotic resistant UTI's, was on meds for 12 weeks straight with the worst case. Started giving her dried cranberries, mixed in with her food. She seemed to like them and the best part is she hasn't had a UTI since. Hope this helps!

Darla Stockton

Josh, thank you for that website information! And thank you to everyone else that responded. We are waiting on the latest urine culture that we had done last week. We got the ultrasound done, which shows crystals in her urine. Every time Matilda finishes with an antibiotic, within 1 week she starts the symptoms of another UTI. I started her on the cranberry, which helps - it at least stops the blood in her urine- but I don't think we have gotten it cleared up completely yet. Hopefully we will get the right anitbiotic, and then we will go an extra week on it, and do another culture to be sure we got it cleared up. I wish I had known to start her on the cranberry before this became a problem, and would recommend anyone to add cranberry pills to your dogs diet BEFORE they get a UTI - since it seems to be a very common problem with IMHA dogs. jeanne

Jeanne Texas

Finally.. a thread about something I have expereinced with Bella. She's having her third bout with UTI's since being diagnosed in Sept. She's on Cephlexan right now. This seemed to help her out before. Our other Peke, Kia, had a really bad UTI and we wound up putting her on Clavamox. It's gotten to the point that we know the tell tale signs of UTI.. frequent trips outside with short stops to pee.. trace coloring of blood in urine on puppy pad (Bella), and that god awful smell. I think we'll go thr route of dried cranberries or cranberry juice periodically to try and lessen the frequency of these UTI's, especially with Bella.

Jason Black Myrtle Beach

Hi I've been looking for something to help Briah, my 15 year old black lab, with her recurrent UTIs. Briah relapsed earlier this year after being intially diagnosed in 2001 with AIHA and ITP. In March Briah was put on prednisone and azathioprine and despite a few complications resulting from her meds, last month she was weaned off the prednisone and her lab results are now normal. For the past 4 months I have tried yogurt which she will only eat once and cottage cheese w/active cultures which she stopped eating once the prednisone was discontinued. I also started her on Culturelle shortly before her last round of treatment with the antibiotic Merrem, but the E. Coli came back so I'm not sure if this probiotic actually works. But like Briah, I'm not giving up and will now try the cranberry capsules and maybe even cranberries. She can be a finnicky eater so we shall she how this goes. Thanks for sharing and please keep the faith. If you have time read Briah's success story. Hopefully it will give you inspiration and support. Sharon & Briah (Meisha's Hope October 2004)

Sharon DC

Sharon, Good to hear from you. Please send me an update on Briah since I would like to update her Success Story. Big hugs to dear Briah from canine Maddie and me.

Joanne MN

Hi Joanne I certainly will email you. Thanks and all the best to you and Maddie

Sharon DC

This thread was discussed between 18/05/2008 and 07/08/2008

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