Herbs for Dogs: Bladder

Painful or difficult urination is a common symptom seen in many dogs. This is partly because house training forces dogs to hold urine longer than they otherwise would. Also, many dogs eat a diet heavy in rich foods that are hard on their digestive systems, setting off a process that leads to bladder pain and problems.

In Chinese medicine, painful urination, urgency, dribbling urine, and other symptoms of bladder infections are caused by a build-up of dampness and heat in the Urinary Bladder.

Dampness comes about when the Qi (energy) of the Spleen is weak and deficient. (As a reminder, organs in Chinese medicine are not the same as the organs of Western medicine. The Chinese "Spleen" has very little to do with the anatomical spleen.) The Spleen transforms food into energy by separating the "clear essences" (which become energy) from the "turbid waste" (which is excreted). Rich, greasy, and fatty foods damage the Spleen. Turbid waste then builds up in the body in the form of dampness.

Frustration causes the Liver Qi to stagnate and gives rise to heat. Dogs become frustrated when they are left alone for too long, if they can't play all the time, or if there is stress in the household. The heat generated from the Liver combines with dampness from the Spleen and pours down into the Urinary Bladder meridian.

Damp-heat in the Urinary Bladder causes painful urination, dribbling urine, and urgency. Over time, damp and heat can congeal and cause crystals, sand, or stones to form. Bladder Blend includes herbs that are used to dissolve stones, but if you suspect your dog has stones or if there is blood in the urine, please follow the advice and prescription of your veterinarian.

The Chinese medicine treatment principles of the blend are to -
* Clear heat and eliminate damp from the Urinary Bladder
* Unblock painful urinary dysfunction

Bladder Blend is made with these highest quality ingredients - Hua Shi (Talcum), Che Qian Zi (Semen Plantaginis), Jin Qian Cao (Herba Lysimachiae), Sheng Di (Uncooked Radix Rehmanniae), Bian Xu (Herba Polygoni Avicularis), Qu Mai (Herba Dianthi), Huang Bai (Cortex Phellodendri), Wang Bu Liu Xing (Semen Vaccariae Segetalis), Dong Kui Zi (Semen Abutili Seu Malvae), Bei Xie (Rhizoma Dioscorea Hypoglauca), Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae), Bai Mao Gen (Rhizoma Imperatae Cylindricae), Hu Po (Succinum), Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) in a base of pure vegetable glycerine, water, and organic alcohol (total alcohol content less than 4%).

Treatment Course - For a dog with painful, dribbling urination, herbs should be administered for 15 days. For crystals, sand, or stones herbs can be given for 6 to 8 weeks. This blend is safe for long term use. If treatment is given for more than two weeks, we recommend treating for 8 days on and two days off.

Mix blend into food. Refrigerate when open.

Because of the sweet flavor of the glycerine in our blends, most dogs enjoy the taste. Some dogs may need the herbs to be mixed into wet food.

Dosage

1-25 pound dogs - 10-15 drops, 2-3x/day.

26-60 pound dogs - 20-40 drops, 2-3x/day.

61 pounds and up - 1-2 dropper-fulls, 2-3x/day.

A squeeze of the dropper bulb fills it about half way up. This is considered a "dropper-full". One dropper is approximately 45 drops.

Cautions & Contraindications

Not for use during pregnancy. Consult a veterinarian before combining this product with any other medication.

Herbal remedies are not intended as a replacement for professional veterinary care. If you think your dog may have a health problem, please consult a veterinarian. If side effects occur or symptoms persist, please discontinue use and consult your vet.

Chinese herbal medicine has been used in the treatment of humans and animals for over 2,000 years. It is based on combining herbs together to promote balance and healing. We call our herbal formulas "Qi Blends" since they are blended together to promote health and restore harmony to the "Qi" (or vital energy) of dogs.

The aim of any treatment with Chinese herbs is to bring the body and emotions into balance. We've identified the areas of imbalance that most often lead to health problems in dogs and chosen herbs to address them.
Balance is achieved in Chinese medicine by addressing:

* Yin & Yang -
Yin and Yang are opposites. Symptoms can be looked at in terms of yin/yang parameters. For example, dampness is yin and dryness is yang. Cold is yin and heat is yang. An herbalist's job is to apply the theories of yin and yang to the patient. For a dog with sores on the skin - are they wet looking or dry? Are they red (indicating heat) or white (indicating cold)? Similarly with a cough - does it sound wet and phlegmy or dry? Is the dog hyperactive (indicating heat) or lethargic (indicating cold)?

* Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids -
Qi (vital energy), blood, and body fluid are fundamental substances that sustain health. Imbalances in these three areas can cause a variety of imbalances for a dog. Qi, blood, and body fluids can be weak and deficient, in which case they are unable to nourish the body and function properly. Deficient qi can cause fatigue or dull achey pain. Deficient blood and body fluids can lead to dry, itchy skin. On the other hand - qi, blood and body fluids can be excess and overflowing in which case they become stuck or stagnant. Qi and blood that are stuck can cause a sharp, fixed pain that may be severe. On the emotional side, stuck qi can cause frustration and irritability. To attain balance, these three vital substances need to be strong and healthy in their flow.

* Channels and Collaterals -

The channels and collaterals are considered to be a series of connecting passages through which qi and blood flow. The primary channels are indicated by the lines that are shown on acupuncture charts such as the one shown below. (insert chart pic) Eleven of the 12 primary channels are named for organs they are associated with. It's important to note that these organs in Chinese medicine are not the same as their western counterparts. The Chinese Kidney, for example, may have some of the same functions as the western Kidney, but it is a much broader concept than simply the anatomical organ. Chinese organs have emotions associated with them. The Chinese kidney is associated with fear. They also have an associated tissue and orifice. The tissue of the Chinese kidney is bone and the orifice is the ear. Therefore, hearing problems, brittle bones, and a feeling of fear indicate imbalance in the Kidney meridian. The anatomical kidney may be perfectly healthy in this scenario, but herbs are required to treat the Kidney meridian.

At Qi Blends, we've created a line of herbal remedies just for dogs! We've researched their most common ailments and formulated herbal blends which best treat them.

Our aim is not only to heal dogs, but also to educate their human companions about Chinese medicine and our products. Take a look through our website for further information and articles.

Dedicated to Quality
* Highest Quality Chinese Herbs - Sulfur free, from GMP-certified distributors, each batch undergoing stringent testing for purity.
* Pure vegetable glycerine - for a sweet taste dogs enjoy.
* Organic alcohol - Our internal blends contain a small amount of alcohol (less than 4%) to ensure thorough extraction of all herbal components.
* Rapid Absorption - Our Internal blends are made into liquid tinctures to ensure rapid absorption.
* Food-grade Ingredients - Even our topical blends are 100% food grade and safe if licked. Our Anti-itch Ointment uses a base of organic aloe vera gel (food grade), organic alcohol, and Chinese herbs. Heal - for Hot Spots & More consists of 100% powdered Chinese herbs.