Have you ever...

sunyatasunyata
edited April 2009 in Food, Nutrition, & Health
had to follow your Shiba around with a cup trying to get a urine sample???

Well, I have. Twice.

While I was at work yesterday, Nola had an accident in the house. Which has NEVER happened. As I was cleaning up, I noticed a couple of dark spots next to it, and got a little suspicious. I went outside with her, and sure enough... She peed, got up, walked two steps, squatted, walked a few more feet, then squatted again.

So I called the vet, thinking I would need to bring her in this morning. Nope... Gotta bring in a urine sample. Hmm.

Poor little Nola. I took her out last night before bed on the leash, and shoved a measuring cup under her as soon as she started to go. The look on her face was PRICELESS. And again, this morning I shoved that cup underneath her again. I swear, if looks could kill. I wish I had gotten a picture.

So now, I am just awaiting a call back from the vet for the results of her urinalysis, hoping it is nothing more than a small infection.

Comments

  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Be Well Nola!
  • CaliaCalia
    edited November -1
    get well soon Nola...Hope everything is alright
  • obukobuk
    edited April 2009
    Stay healthy, Nola!

    I went to the vet once and had to follow Mochi around with a ladle looking thing... now that took me at least 15 mins. of following him around eventhough he was on a leash. He was just terrified of that black ladle thing but i had to get a urine sample somehow... poor dog lol
  • KaddyKaddy
    edited November -1
    Awwww poor Nola... I can't even imagine trying to get a urine sample!!! There's a VERY small 'window of opportunity' when Keiko is sniffing for the right spot to pee, and if the grass runs out during that time, or the wind blows... it's a deal breaker.
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    LOL! If she was feeling normal, I doubt she would have continued to pee... But she did give me the death stare over her shoulder.

    Still have not heard back from the vet, I will probably call in another hour if I have not heard anything. But when I went home for lunch, she was about the same. She went out and peed about 5 times. Poor thing.

    Does this sound like a simple (if it could be called simple) bladder infection? Or could it be something more? There is definitely blood in her urine.
  • CaliaCalia
    edited November -1
    Have you tried lightly pressing on her abdomen to see if there is pain?
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    Sorry to hear about poor Nola. :-(

    It certainly could be a UTI. Does she have any other symptoms?
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    Aww poor Nola :(

    But that is a funny mental image.
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    We have a prognosis:

    Apparently it is a severe UTI. The vet is putting together some antibiotics for her and I will pick them up on my way home from work. Glad that it is something fairly simple and will hopefully be cleared up in a few days.

    The bad news is that after a week, I will need to follow Nola around with a cup again... She is going to hate me!

    And thanks for all the good well wishes. Nola definitely appreciates them.
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    Glad to hear it Casey. Hopefully the antibiotics will clear it up quickly. Give her some extra lovins!
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    Lol poor Nola. "Get away mommy! Can't I pee in peace?!"
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Great News that it is something treatable! Keep us posted on her progress, and next time you have to take out the pee cup remember the camera!
  • KaddyKaddy
    edited November -1
    Poor Nola!!!

    LOL I can only imagine what a fun time it would be to try and catch pee in a cup AND hold a camera!!!
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    Poor Nola...
    At least it's something that should clear up fast.
    I hope she gets back to normal in no time.
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    Poor Nola! I hope the antibiotics help. UTI's are a bummer for pups.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    What causes UTI's? Are the only symptoms frequent urination and blood in the urine? Just wondering, never had to deal with one in a pup before.
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited April 2009
    To be very brief, maybe SnF or someone else can explain in better detail, but usually fecal bacteria are found in the positive urine cultures. Female dogs have shorter urinary tracts so have a greater risk of developing UTI. Also, dogs can have symptoms that mimick UTI like juvenile vaginitis and interstitial cystitis. Some breeds are more prone to devlop issues with their tracts, stones and things like that. Also, bladder muscles can lose tone as a spayed female ages and not allow the bladder to empty completely/dribble. The ureters may be in the wrong place also not allowing the bladder to properly drain, there are lots of things, but the Vet will presume a UTI usually and treat with antibiotics, even if bacteria are not cultured, as long as the dog is symptomatic of a UTI. Urgency, frequency, small spots of foul smelling urine in inappropriate places and sometimes but not always bloody urine are present in UTI.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Thanks Lindsay!
  • TsheehanTsheehan
    edited November -1
    Guinness had a UTI when he was a puppy, scared me to death because I could tell he was in a lot of pain. The first antibiotic the Vet gave us didn't work, but the second one did. He was better in no time.
  • KirbysmomKirbysmom
    edited November -1
    I hope she gets to feeling better soon. Poor baby.
  • HeidiHeidi
    edited November -1
    Hopefully she's back to normal soon. Get well, Nola!
  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited April 2009
    There are various factors that can cause bladder issues and UTI. Age, gender, diet, hormones, other medication, if the dog is intact, or actual structure of the canal and muscles themselves. It all has to be weighed on a case by case basis. Urinalysis is the first step in ruling out bacteria, stones, or related problems such as struvite crystals. Usually crystals can be reduced by a change in diet and/or in combination with use of Solid Gold Berry Balance. Absolutely consult with your vet first before doing this.

    Go with the plan prescribed by your vet, depending on the situation your Shiba may need to be switched to a different antibiotic if the first type is not working. Continue to monitor and be sure to finish the directed dose prescribed.

    PS: For collecting urine get a ladle at the dollar store. Casually follow your dog on a walk and hide the ladle behind your back. If your timing is right you can just tuck up under as she squats to pee and the dog never notices the difference. Place the urine in one of those tiny "Glad mini round" containers to store and take to the vet.

    Here's some links.....(usually UTI causes the need to pee excessively but not necessarily a lot at one time and the dog may attend to personal hygiene issues a bit too much. Blood in the urine is a prime indicator as well.)

    http://www.dog-health-guide.org/dogbladdercontrol.html
    http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/articles/canine-uti-symptoms.shtml

    Snf
  • tjbart17tjbart17
    edited November -1
    lol. Sorry but this topic cracks me up! I keep picturing you with a ladel in one hand and a cup in the other chasing her in the backyard.

    I hope she feels better soon. Have the anti-biotics started working?
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    Nola is doing okay. She no longer seems to be terribly uncomfortable when she pees, but she is still taking a while to pee. There is no longer blood in her pee and she pees more volume, which I guess is a great sign. I just hope she gets back to normal soon. I would hate to have to have her on another dose of antibiotics after this dose is done. (However, she does enjoy the large chunk of cheese she gets in the morning and at night with her pills!) We have a little over a week to go before another urinanlysis is done.

    Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone, and sorry to not have updated sooner. Things have been a little ridiculous lately. I will update later next week on why that is.
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