Folks sometimes call the office looking for something they can do for their dog til it can get seen, or over the weekend, or just IN CONJUNCTION with a standard treatment.
And they ask about AZO, AZO Standard. Which is FINE to ask about except it turns out, the compound in AZO STANDARD is toxic to dogs.
Azo Cranberry, on the other hand, can be soothing, and it makes it harder for bacteria and inflammation to occupy the bladder and urethra.
Currently, Azo Cranberry isn’t made with Xylitol (it’s been years since manufacturers used Xylitol in anything that was possibly going to be used for dogs and cats. They’ve gone to sorbitol for the most part but MAKE NO ASSUMPTIONS and look. Xylitol can be toxic to dogs.
Do Not Give Your Dog AZO®
While people have administered this OTC analgesic to their animals without incident, we do not recommend it.
Clearly Azo is not intended for canine use â nor is it safe for treating bladder problems!
Case in point:
A Chihuahua experienced muscle hyperesthesia after being given phenazopyridine according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
Take your chances providing this urinary pain reliever and your dog could suffer side effects. Don’t do it!
AZO tablets, and similar drugs, are not remedies for bladder infections.
Your dog may get short-term relief because that is what analgesics do.
Any benefit would be temporary and, more importantly, there are numerous potential downsides including:
Warning: Your dog could require blood work to rule out liver damage or anemia.
Phenazopyridine formulations, AZO included, are all wrong for dogs due to a possibility of Rhabdomyolysis which is yet another muscle-related complication.
Further, Azo may be carcinogenic though this has only been proven in lab rats â not dogs.
Nevertheless, please heed the concerns including rare situations where red blood cells could be affected by Phenazopyridine (AKA Pyridium).
Why not use a natural, safe remedy rather than giving your dog an over-the-counter or prescription medication?
Cranberry also cannot fix nagging symptoms associated with urinary tract infections and other bladder urgency issues â meaning Azo’s other products are also ill-advised.
On the other hand, chamomile tea may help your dog a bit.
Above all else remember that your vet deals with urinary tract infections all the time. Give them a call!
You may need to obtain some sort of prescription medication for your pet’s infection.
Often times an antibiotic is the solution for stubborn bladder problems.
Azo, even a relatively safe version, is not the right approach for helping your dog.
What are Urinary Tract Infections for dogs?
Urinary tract infections for dogs or UTIs are infections caused by bacteria, fungi or at times, parasites in the urinary tract of the dog.
The urinary tract includes organs like the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. The bacteria in the environment and the intestines enter the urethra and consequently, proliferate in the urinary bladder.
As a result, an acute infection hits the dog and symptoms like frequency of urination, bloody urination and so on show up. Urinary tract infections for dogs can be extremely painful, causing a lot of irritation and discomfort.
Urinary tract infections for dogs primarily occur owing to the presence and spread of bacteria. Some other factors also become the causes of this infection, especially when the dog’s overall health and immune system are already in bad condition, or weaker.
Senior dogs, as well as sexually active dogs, are more at risk than healthy adults.
Bacteria are definitely the most common causes of urinary tract infections in dogs. E.coli is the bacterium that enters upwards through the urethral opening and spreads in the entire urinary tract of the dog.
The bacteria can enter the intestinal area with feces or debris. On the other hand, the bacteria present in the environment quickly affect your dog if they are already suffering from a lack of immunity because of some illnesses or nutritional deficiencies.
In some cases, especially lower urinary tract infections for dogs are caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungus yeasts. This is not so common but you should not rule out the possibility.
The treatment of the infection, however, remains much the same, irrespective of the cause. However, the symptoms can be slightly varying.
Urinary tract infections for dogs are impossible without the presence of the bacteria. But sometimes, even a few traces of the bacteria easily make way into your dog’s body. This is because of the health conditions and illnesses that the furry one might already be suffering from.
In some of the less common but severe cases, diseases like diabetes, kidney problems, lack of immunity and intake of steroids become major reasons behind canine UTI.
There is a range of symptoms of urinary tract infections in dogs, some of which can be quite painful and alarming too. Common symptoms of UTIs in dogs include:
Always give a call to your vet to confirm the symptoms and link them to an actual UTI.
A change in your dog’s urinary habits and tendencies is a big indicator of UTI. When the urine is dark or cloudy in color, it is time to start worrying and determining the cause of the same.
At times, breaking housetraining is the first thing that draws your attention towards your dog’s urine color. Unless you see a pinkish stain on the carpet or your otherwise well-trained and well-behaved dog peeing near the door, you cannot possibly find out the traces of blood in their urine and realize the emergence of UTI for dogs.
Once you become more observant of your dog’s urinary habits, you might find him having some pain during urination. This is usually caused because he is able to pass very little urine. Apart from UTIs, diseases like prostate problems or a spinal cord injury can also be the causes of these symptoms. So, it is always advisable to take your dog to the vet as early as possible.
As other symptoms apart from urinary tendencies, a lack of appetite and an urge to drink more water will follow. The latter is because of a condition called psychogenic polydipsia and it happens because of the loss of minerals from your dog’s body due to excessive urination.
You might also find your dog licking the urinary openings quite often. This is because he is trying to stop the pain that is ensuing around these openings. UTI for dogs raises his body temperature, leading to fever, vomiting, and lethargy, which again are common symptoms of urinary tract infections for dogs.
Howlong does it take for a dog’s UTI to clear up?
Urinary tract infections for dogs usually clear up in about 7 to 10 days. However, in certain severe conditions, it might take more than 2 weeks.
If you find your dog whimpering during urination or showing some other symptoms even after the expected period, then you must immediately take him to the veterinarian for further tests. This is because the reason behind these continuing symptoms might be a serious kidney or prostate problem.
It is always better to take some precautions and prevent urinary tract infections in your dog beforehand, rather than treat the disease once it has already hit your dog.
Accordingly, the following are some of the preventive measures to keep your dog healthy and also save your money on vet bills and insurance premiums.
Keep your dog well-groomed – This is particularly relevant for the dogs with thick coats and hair. Keeping your dog well-groomed prevents the bacteria and fungi from forming in their body and thereby, getting their way into your dog’s internal system.
Bathe your dog regularly – With regular bathing, make sure that you especially take care of cleaning the area around his/her genitals because that is the entry point of the bacteria causing urinary tract infections for dogs.
Make your dog drink plenty of fresh water and walk regularly – The more water your dog takes in, the more will his bladder flush out. Drinking fresh water cleanses a dog’s system and makes them urinate more, which in turn, empties the bladder from bacteria. Taking your dog out for a walk, at least in the garden, will further help prevent UTI to a large extent.
FAQ
Can I give my dog AZO for a UTI?
How can I treat my dogs UTI at home?