I’ve written in the past about the subject of cranberry extracts used to prevent or treat urinary tract infections. (1, 2) There is some in vitro and lab animal research that suggests these products might reduce the ability of a limited set of bacteria (fimbriated E. coli) to stick to the lining of the urinary tract, and might thus have some value in preventing, though not treating, urinary tract infections. However, the latest Cochrane systematic review on the subject did not find convincing evidence these products actually are effective in UTI prevention in human patients. There is little research in veterinary patients, and unfortunately a new study in the American journal of Veterinary Research (AJVR) doesn’t add much information to help in deciding whether or not such products are useful.
Hsin-I Chou, Kuan-Sheng Chen, Hsien-Chi Wang, Wei-Ming Lee. Effects of cranberry extract on prevention of urinary tract infection in dogs and on adhesion of Escherichia coli to Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. American Journal of Veterinary Research Apr 2016, Vol. 77, No. 4, Pages 421-427.
This study consisted of two parts. The first involved treating dogs with a history of frequent urinary tract infections with either an antibiotic or a cranberry supplement and monitoring them for development of UTIs. The other involved mixing E. coli and canine kidney cells with urine from dogs given the cranberry supplement to see if there was any antibacterial effect or any impact on the adhesion of the bacteria to the kidney cells.
In the first part of the study, 12 dogs were split into two groups (it’s not clear if this was done randomly or not). These were dogs who had previously had recurrent UTIs, at least three times in the previous year. Six of the dogs were given a 2-week course of an antibiotic, and the other six were given a daily cranberry supplement for 6 months. All dogs had urine samples taken to look for infection once a month. None of the dogs developed a UTI during the 6-month monitoring period.
In the in vitro portion of the study, the urine from dogs given the cranberry supplement did not appear to have any inhibitory effects on bacterial growth. It did, however, seem to reduce the adhesion of these bacteria to canine kidney cells.
The design of this study is a little strange. There was no report of blinding or placebo control, and it is unclear if the subjects were randomly assigned to the two groups, so the risk of bias is difficult to assess. The strange thing, though, is that the comparison was between the cranberry supplement and a short course of an antibiotic rather than a placebo supplement. One would not expect a 2-week course of antibiotic to protect dogs from a urinary tract infection for 6 months. If resolving recurring UTIs were this easy, they would never happen since everyone would do this.
So in having no UTIs, the cranberry supplement group was no different from a group that received a treatment one wouldn’t expect to work, but which wasn’t a true placebo. It is very difficult to interpret this kind of comparison, but it certainly isn’t appropriate to say, it proves the supplement prevents infections, as the authors do. It is also not evidence that the supplement was safer than the short course of antibiotics, which the authors also claim. The lack of UTIs in all dogs may have been due to unexpected and dramatic effects from the antibiotics and the cranberry supplement which occurred despite these sorts of effects not having been seen in past studies. However, this may also reflect some other change in how these dogs were managed or simply the natural course of their disease. The purpose of controlled research is to help separate these possible causes, but this particular comparison doesn’t effectively accomplish that.
The second part of the experiment was consistent with past research showing that cranberry products do not inhibit bacterial growth but may reduce adhesion to urinary tract cells to some extent. Since kidney cells were used, it isn’t clear whether this effect would apply to cells in the bladder, where most urinary tract infections occur, or in actual living patients.
Bottom Line
The in vitro portion of this study is consistent with existing research that suggests cranberry extracts may reduce the ability of some bacteria to stick to the lining of the urinary tract. This could theoretically help prevent some urinary tract infections, though clinical research in human patients suggests this doesn’t really work to a significant extent in living people.
The portion of the study looking at prevention of UTIs in actual dogs, unfortunately, doesn’t help establish what benefit, if any, this product might have. No infections occurred in any of the dogs regardless of the treatment they got, and the comparison was between 6months of daily use of the cranberry product and a 2-week course of an antibiotic, which seems unlikely to effectively prevent UTIs for 6 months. This raises questions about whether either of the treatments were really responsible for the lack of UTIs in the dogs or if this was the result of the Hawthorne effect or some other source of error.
My 15 year old small breed had emergency surgery to remove several calcium oxalate stones at age 11, about a year prior to that he was treated for struvite stones/UTIs.
The follow up visits became expensive and I was told he might be to old to tolerate another surgery. Since then I feed him 4 small meals per day soaked with water and water added. Take him out for frequent bathroom breaks and monitor his urinary habits. I have not had him x-rayed or checked his PH, he did go in for an annual recently and his bloodwork was good. The vet said as long as he is not having any symptoms, no need for x-rays and PH testing.
I also give him a potassium citrate/cranberry supplement twice a day. So far so good (4 years stone/UTI free)
I suspect the increase in H2O and frequent opportunities to urinate is doing the most good.
I hesitate to stop the supplements in case they are helping, I have cut down on the amount though.
The 2-month course of antibiotics seems to be in error (Clinician’s Brief Capsule for July 2016?). The actual study abstract indicates both the antibiotic and the extract were given for 6 months.
This is the description of the experiment from the Methods section:
I guess I misread this statement in the abstract (I didn’t access the full study): “12 dogs with a history of recurrent UTI received an antimicrobial (n = 6) or cranberry extract (6) orally for 6 months.” I took it to mean each group received their “treatment” for 6 months. Thanks for the clarification.
I’m 70! Have taken a Cranberry tablet (1) a day for years! My 7yr. Standard has Kidney failure. Tired of Meds
& Tests! Depressing news. WHY NOT use of Natural Alternatives? More work maybe, but worth the Effort to keep them a little while longer. I also do Reiki with her. She’s a Love!? Thanks from the ??
hoping for you to take a look at evidence* (if any) on what (if any) dog foods/supplements might help reduce struvite crystals in dogs. i’ve tried to do some research online, but the overwhelming ocean of BS & contradictory advice is maddening….and too often I find links to that wack-fest, Mercola. My 5 y.o. Eskie is on a struvite-reducing diet for a week, but after that…? Outside of increased water & increased frequency of walkies, I’m at a loss and would love something more scientific to go on.
Love your site & am in the process of reading all your posts. Breath of reason is fresh air!
*in your vast spare time
Struvite crystals in themselves aren’t necessarily a cause of clinical problems, though some vets like to talk to clients about them as if they are the primary issue. They can appear in normal urine, but when they are problematic in dogs (as when struvite urinary tract stones develop), they are most often due to chronic, undetected urinary tract infections. Several diets will effectively reduce the urine pH and lower the saturation of minerals that promote struvite formation (e.g. Hill’s c/d, Royal Canin’s SO), and they can mostly be used safely long-term (though some, such as Hill’s s/d, are intended for only short-term use). High-oisture diets are improtant in reducing the concentration of the urine.
If your dog has had stones, the University of Minnesota Urolith Center has excellent guidelines for management. If there have been demonstrated infections, then surveillance for this is key. Otherwise, I’m not sure there is a need to treat “crystals” per se. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much! The crystals were detected in my Eskie’s urine after one fairly minor anomalous urinary episode (incomplete …ah, completion, as it were; a few drops after urinating), a month or so after he was treated for a bladder infection (no stones showed on X-ray). It did sound as if the crystals were, in and of themselves, a serious clinical issue.
I really appreciate you taking the time to address my concerns and provide me with reliable –evidence based, and hallelujah for that!– info (tho the pic of the sea urchin-esque stones was rather horrifying!).
I also appreciate you taking the time and effort to provide factual info in a world where “belief” grows ever more important than evidence….and being willing to take the attacks that arise because of your efforts.
sincerely,
kelly & a very well-hydrated Eskimo
My dog has been diagnosed with bladder stones and scheduled for surgery. An X-ray showed a stone too large to pass. My vet recommended giving her a cranberry supplement to help acidify her urine. Her urine tested quite alkaline the first time and she also had a bladder infection. The infection is gone but her urine pH is still on the alkaline side. How does one know what type of stones the dog has except after surgical removal? Is cranberry useful in her case?
You cannot absolutely know the type of stone without removing it. IN an alkaline urine with evidence of infection, struvite stones are most common, and in acidic urine calcium oxalate are most common, but these are just a way of estimating the likelihood of the stone being one type or another. If struvite is suspected, these can often be dissolved medically, while most others have to be removed surgically. The specifics of what this might be and what should be done for your dog are a matter for discussion between you and your vet.
Cranberry supplements are completely useless for bladder stones. They probably don’t do much at all, though they may help prevent some very specific types of bladder infections in some cases, but they certainly aren’t appropriate for treating stones.
Thank you for responding. I’m going to discontinue the OTC supplements – cranberry and a probiotic but will continue a multi-vitamin a couple of times a week in case her food lacks something. Her food is made at home due to some bouts with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Is it safe to use venison and/or elk in her food if she has struvite stones?
She is scheduled for surgery today unfortunately. Your email was sent to my spam folder darn it! and I do check there occasionally but often forget. What means are there for getting rid of struvite stones medically?
Mary