Can I give my dog azo?
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Dogs can get a UTI just like humans, and you might think of treating it with AZO. But often the remedies we use for ourselves and the ones we should be using for our pets are not the same thing. That’s why it’s important to do your research before giving them anything out of the ordinary.
AZO might seem innocuous because it is non-prescription, but that doesn’t mean it is safe to give your pet, and it leaves one to wonder how you would even go about dosing this for them, since it was created for humans and the directions are for adults. The manufacturer didn’t have dogs in mind when they made it, and even though it is effective at treating urinary tract infections in humans, it’s not something that necessarily translates to a dog.
Aside from the fact that this isn’t made for canines, it is also likely too little too late, and your dog needs more attention than this. Most owners are recommending a trip to the vet to sort out the severity of the problem, and to get the right fix for them. This is something that if left untreated could make more and more problems for your furry friend, so it’s a good idea to get it sorted out ASAP.
Can I Give My Dog AZO? Answer: Not Recommended
AZO is not made for dogs and there are better treatments specifically formulated for canine metabolism and body make up.
These would be much more preferable than human medication. It’s not even good in a pinch, and if you are sad to see your dog in pain, giving them AZO is not going to help much, and could even hurt, with reports of some dogs getting sick from it.
Identifying a UTI
You’ll want to first correctly identify the dog has a urinary tract infection before doing anything. A lot of owners will give their dogs drugs and other remedies for conditions they don’t even have, because he misread the signs, or are too quick to make a determination.
The sneaky thing about a UTI is that it doesn’t necessarily have a lot of symptoms before it gets pretty bad. So unless you’re the type of owner that is making regular trips to the vet, you probably won’t notice anything is up until your dog is in some real pain.
Natural Canine Remedies
Rather than using an over-the-counter nonprescription medication like this for your dog, it’s best to stick to something that is completely all-natural. There are different juices, cranberry juice or orange juice that will help to remove some of the bacteria from the urine, but even these are not better solutions than what your vet can provide.
You might also have trouble getting your dog to drink them, and although you can’t give them smaller amounts over a longer period of time, overall it’s a pretty ineffective method.
When to Call the Vet
If you are noticing the signs of a urinary tract infection and your dog is not responding to the all-natural remedies you’re trying you should consult a veterinarian to see what your next step should be. You can also opt to start with the vet and get them on prescription medication right at the get go. It’s up to you which way you want to go, and some owners also take the stance of letting nature run its course.
What usually ends up happening is that most owners won’t be able to identify a UTI in the early stages, and by the time their dog starts alerting them to a problem, it’s time to call in a vet because they weren’t able to kick this on their own and it’s progressed too far. The vet will them be able to take the right action to turn things around and get them back to normal.
In this economy it’s hard to bring your dog in, but when it’s the best choice and can circumvent a lot of painful urination, it’s something you’ve got to do.