supporting you guys: We almost lost our cat (shibas are kinda like cats, right? ) to an oxylate crystal blockage a couple years ago. Ate dry all his life (he's 14), and had two or three episodes of crystals. We didn't like the vet's solution to feed him science diet, but we switched to canned food and add brita'd water over it and he's been fantastic ever since.
The main issue w/ dry is that they don't get enough moisture which prevents the urinary system from flushing. It would almost be better to feed wet or soak the kibble, or else switch to raw. SD stone diets are supposed to trigger thrist, but they still recommend feeding the canned if they will eat it over the dry medicated.
Yep have had a few dogs that have gotten them.....a change in food should help. Find out what specific type of crystals first and how many/ratio in the sample. It isn't uncommon that there are a few in the urine at any given time. It's when the count goes up too high that is becomes problematic.
I just listened to the vet's msg again 4 times..I believe she said Triplephosphate. I did call her back that day and she told me it wasn't anything to worry about as it's not elevated, but definintly it's what would cause her discomfort / irritation. She mentioned it may be from holding it too long (why I'm making every effort to come back during lunch to walk her), and/or her food.
I'm glad you guys agree with me re: dry food! Now I don't feel so crazy as my husband thinks I'm over-reacting. I'll speak to the vet tomorrow on the food change (i bought Solid gold canned, so it shouldn't be that much of a change), and her lethargy, as I think it's something he should take note of, plus I want to make sure he's seen the reports as well.
Morning=She loved the can / kibble mix with a touch of water ;0) yay! And now she's chewing on her dino nylabone to brush her teeth...good girl? Not really, haven't seen her drink water yet, the little suicidal pup. Her lethargy better today, and I suspect from the anitbiotics as well, but still feel better letting the vet know, just in case it's too strong (she wasn't lethargic in the beginning--probably b/c it had more infection to fight). Thanks again, all, for the healing vibes and support!
Just spoke to the vet...at this point he believes it was the extended boarding that contributed to the UTI..grrrrrrr.. Apparently he sees that alot in dogs where the owners are students/teachers...so during the summer it's out and play multiple times a day and when school starts the dogs stay at home for 8+ hours, and the UTI's.
Anyway, he doesn't recommend the canned food, just to add water to her dry food..and keep up with the watermelons and blueberries, but NO cranberries--for now unless she gets recurrent infections.
I believe the cranberries are too acidic for the pup's stomach. He said he only recommends the cranberry tablets but it's effects are debatable.
Spuds will eat anything, I think i'll just add some water to make it liquidy, she does love it that way, I've done it a few times since this whole mess.
For now we are monitoring her lethargy for another week...that and I'm trying to take deep breathes so I don't go home tonight and rip my husbands head off for this whole boarding BS.
I don't have anything useful to add, I just saw my name in the title- but I wanted to thank Irene for sharing all this- I never thought of giving a dog watermelon! I learn so much here from all of you!
thanks Crystal. Always good to share info and hopefully prevent this from happening to another dog. Yeah that moring I was searching the forum for UTI info..and nothing came up..so I thought to myself damnit! I need info quick..post!! Just glad my vets worked with me and got her in quicker than I can get a reply ;-P
Irene....about the boarding. It take dogs some adjustment to not be stressed by it. Many times dogs that are not use to it will try to hold it and when they are walked in unfamiliar area they won't go until they are practically busting a gut. It depends on the facility on how often staff walk or have direct hands on with the dog. If your girl decided to boycott water and bathroom time that is where the problem sets in. Most staff are not familiar with an individual dog's habits so they would not know anything was amiss for sometime.
ARRRGH! Spud's urinary tract infection came back! Husband is on his way to the vet to pick up another week's dose!!! I hope the fact she didn't get any antibiotics Friday through today won't get her to become resistant...ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just go away stupid UTI!
Oh no. Poor Spudster =0(. I wouldn't worry too much about her not having antibiotics from Friday to yesterday. She'll likely get a different kind of antibiotic or a stronger dose this time, since the last time didn't work. At least this time you'll know exactly what to do this time from day one! =0)
Hopefully this time the infection will go the way of the dinosaurs. I have heard several people say they had to go through 2 courses of antibiotics before the infection was completely cleared.
Hi Kyla, Yeah I thought she'd get stronger meds too, but i researched and the next stronger dose is for a 50lb+ dog, so out of the question. They gave another round of 10 days since I called when my husband was en route b/c I saw blood again.
Thanks Casey for letting me know that it's ok to go through 2 courses of antibiotics...
If it doesn't clear up after this round I am to bring her in and get re-tested. Meanwhile I think this is getting to her too, she's getting cranky, and I'm doing deep breathing :-/
Oh no Irene. Poor little girl, but don't worry lots of people, and dogs I'm sure, have to go through two rounds. It should not affect her at all or build up a tolerance. When I was 15 or so, I had chronic kidney and UT infections. I spent a lot of time on anti-biotics, months and months actually. I did have some side effects, and do not take them anymore but two rounds will not do any harm I'm sure.
Hey Kristin, We're monitoring her actually..she's very cranky today, actually being an all around grouch, she even leash-raged a lady on the street today, not full on, but a tiny growl which is really not like her. (she wanted a pear on the street and I wouldn't let her and was pulling her away when the lady walked by and she just bounced and grred at her). But I think she would love to chill with Sake and sunbathe on the grass, as that's all she wanted to do today at lunchtime (that espisode is another tantrum that I am going to ingore..for now...)..UTI's are a bitch! And b/c i do know how it feels, I've been letting her get away with murder, now we need to step it up again so she doesn't become a nightmare at your place!
Tara, I had a few UTI's in my time as well, usually done in one dose, that's why I was confused when she had it again/or not cleared. Sucks.
Comments
Snf
I'm glad you guys agree with me re: dry food! Now I don't feel so crazy as my husband thinks I'm over-reacting. I'll speak to the vet tomorrow on the food change (i bought Solid gold canned, so it shouldn't be that much of a change), and her lethargy, as I think it's something he should take note of, plus I want to make sure he's seen the reports as well.
And Chrystal, cats /Shibas, all the same ;-)
Snf
Apparently he sees that alot in dogs where the owners are students/teachers...so during the summer it's out and play multiple times a day and when school starts the dogs stay at home for 8+ hours, and the UTI's.
Anyway, he doesn't recommend the canned food, just to add water to her dry food..and keep up with the watermelons and blueberries, but NO cranberries--for now unless she gets recurrent infections.
Spuds will eat anything, I think i'll just add some water to make it liquidy, she does love it that way, I've done it a few times since this whole mess.
For now we are monitoring her lethargy for another week...that and I'm trying to take deep breathes so I don't go home tonight and rip my husbands head off for this whole boarding BS.
I learn so much here from all of you!
Good Luck, Spudato! Feel better!
Snf
Hopefully this time the infection will go the way of the dinosaurs. I have heard several people say they had to go through 2 courses of antibiotics before the infection was completely cleared.
Hope she feels better soon!
Thanks Casey for letting me know that it's ok to go through 2 courses of antibiotics...
If it doesn't clear up after this round I am to bring her in and get re-tested. Meanwhile I think this is getting to her too, she's getting cranky, and I'm doing deep breathing :-/
Hope the little girl feels better.
HEAAAAAAAALLLLLLLIIIINNNGGGG VIBESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
We're monitoring her actually..she's very cranky today, actually being an all around grouch, she even leash-raged a lady on the street today, not full on, but a tiny growl which is really not like her. (she wanted a pear on the street and I wouldn't let her and was pulling her away when the lady walked by and she just bounced and grred at her). But I think she would love to chill with Sake and sunbathe on the grass, as that's all she wanted to do today at lunchtime (that espisode is another tantrum that I am going to ingore..for now...)..UTI's are a bitch! And b/c i do know how it feels, I've been letting her get away with murder, now we need to step it up again so she doesn't become a nightmare at your place!
Tara, I had a few UTI's in my time as well, usually done in one dose, that's why I was confused when she had it again/or not cleared. Sucks.