Urinary Health

Over the years, we have received many inquiries from pet owners with regards to their pets’ urinary system health. It appears that urinary tract infections and stones have become problematic in dogs and cats. Compromised urinary health can occur due to a combination of reasons. It is necessary to know how the kidney and bladder work to comprehend why urinary infections and stones happen. In the end, this knowledge will allow you to formulate prevention and treatment methods for the optimal urinary health of your pet.

As food enters the mouth, it passes along the esophagus to the stomach. In the stomach, the food is broken down into smaller molecules to allow better absorption in the intestinal tract. These smaller components of the food enter the bloodstream from the digestive tract and proceed directly to the liver for detoxification and removal of certain metabolic waste products. These organ systems function together to regulate the level of gases, nutrients, and waste products in the blood. The kidneys also play an important role in removing the waste products from the blood, many of which are toxic.  The kidneys also have other major roles including regulation of blood volume, ion concentration in the blood, pH of the blood, and Vitamin D metabolism. Although the kidneys are the major excretory organs in the body, the skin, liver, lungs and intestines also eliminate wastes. However, if the kidneys fail to function, other structures cannot adequately compensate to maintain a normal environment for the body cells.

The urinary system consists of the following organs: (1) two kidneys, (2) a single, midline urinary bladder, (3) two ureters, which carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder, and (4) a single urethra, which carries urine from the bladder for excretion.

In most cases, it is the urethra which gets blocked with crystals to form stones. In some cases, the stones can be found blocking the ureters. In these cases, the stones form in the renal pelvis of the kidney and break off into the ureter. The ureter contracts around the stone causing the stone to irritate the lining and produce bleeding, which appears as blood in the urine. In addition to causing intense pain, kidney stones can block the ureter, cause ulceration in the ureter, and increase the probability of bacterial infections. There are several types of kidney stones; calcium oxalate mixed with calcium phosphate, magnesium ammonium phosphate, uric acid or cystine.

The causes of kidney stones are usually obscure. Predisposing conditions include concentrated urine and an abnormally high calcium concentration in the urine.
   
As mentioned previously, stones can also block the urethra leading to urinary problems. In cats, this is usually referred to as FUS (Feline Urinary Syndrome) or FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease). FUS or FLUTD seems to occur more frequently in the male cats than female cats. Symptoms of bladder infection or inflammation include increased frequency of urination with reduced output, blood in the urine, extreme discomfort with straining, partial or complete blockage of urine or an enlarged and hardened bladder full of accumulated urine.

Urinary stones and infections can occur for a variety of reasons. However, research has suggested that an important cause of these disorders is due to a lack of water consumption by pets when fed a dry kibble diet. Kibble diets contain about 10% moisture versus real food containing about 75% moisture. It is the lack of water in the kidneys that makes the urine more concentrated. Therefore, the concentrated urine forms stones.

Most diets are not acidic forming diets. Kibble and canned pet foods contain mostly grains, which tends to alkalinize the body. There is not enough meat in these diets to make the urine acidic enough to prevent stone formation. Most kibble and canned pet food ingredient lists include meat as the number one ingredient but grains are commonly the second, third and fourth ingredients. 

You will also find non-food ingredients listed on the kibble food labels. The non-food ingredients add flavour, provide better texture, or preserve the food so that it can sit on the shelf for months at a time. These chemicals play a role in causing urinary infections and stones. These chemicals serve no nutritional purpose in the body and create extra work for the body to eliminate them. The toxins are eliminated via stool, urine, nasal mucous, eyes, skin, etc. Unfortunately, during the elimination process problems can arise. If there is not enough water in the urine to flush out these toxins, kidneys or bladder stones can develop.

Urinary problems may also arise due to a deeper health problem. It could be due to a hormonal imbalance or perhaps your pet is not digesting its food very well.  If you are feeding your pet an excellent diet but the urinary problems still occur, your pet may not be processing their diet properly due to a deeper health problem. This can only be seen via thorough diagnostic testing. The overuse of antibiotics or certain drugs (steroids) can also promote bladder infections.

Prevention and treatment can be found in a variety of different methods. Nutrition, natural remedies, purified water, exercise, and lifestyle are all important solutions. By choosing a whole, natural, raw food diet for your dog or cat you can promote urine acidity. Raw food, in its original state, is recognized by the body as being food and is easily utilized nutritionally.  Unlike how the body treats the kibble or canned food as a “toxin” and tries to get rid of it. Hence, an allergic reaction may have occurred (e.g., diarrhea, skin problems, infections, etc.) in the major exits of the body (e.g., ears, eyes, nose, mouth, skin, urinary system, bowels). Whereas, the raw food is delivered to the necessary organ more efficiently. Therefore, the body works less to utilize its nourishment. As well, we see less waste because more food is delivered within the body.  Thus, less waste relates directly to more healing for the urinary tract or bowels.

There are many natural remedies available to help your pet with urinary problems. Please ask your holistic veterinarian for homeopathics, herbal remedies, supplements, glandulars, etc. As well, acupuncture, t-touch, chiropractic and biofeedback can help reduce kidney and bladder stress.

As indicated previously, purified drinking water is very important as prevention and treatment. Make sure your pet is drinking enough fluids to flush out crystal formations or infections. If you are unsure as to the quantity your pet is drinking, add some water to their food. The body is constantly breaking down and rebuilding tissues. Therefore, purified non-chlorinated water is required for all these chemical reactions at the cellular level within the body.

Lifestyle and exercise fall into the same category. Your pets need exercise to be healthy. The exercise keeps their organs healthy and productive. Cats live to be outside even if it means on a leash. You can see their entire demeanour change after they are outside for awhile. Good emotional health directly translates to good physical health.

In conclusion, the urinary tract is very complex and serves a variety of functions within the body. It is important to consider nutrition, natural remedies and lifestyle for prevention and treatment of urinary problems. Always, consult with your holistic veterinarian before making changes.

The above information is intended to give you more information about flower essences. If you have more questions, please consult a holistic veterinarian.