Dog Community

Two ?'s: occasional soft poop & UTI? (kpwlee)

Posted : 7/5/2009 6:28:06 PM

Bugsy seems to be having intermittent soft poops, even a couple of cow pies which is very unusual for him. No change in food but we have been going to the lake several times a week. It seems like one day a week he is having them. Is it possible that it is a parasite? If so what else might I see? Could it be just excessive heat? Any other ideas welcome.

My second question is about UTI's I know they are uncommon in males but what sort of symptoms might I see? He seems to be peeing more often but not having trouble holding it or any discomfort in peeing. He has also been licking himself there more than usual.

His energy does seem a little flat but then again with it being so hot I'm not convinced that isn't purely heat related because early morning and then in the evening he seems OK.

So what do y'all think? I want to fly by the vet this week to check his weight and was considering doing a urinalysis (he's very accommodating when I need to collect some LOL) - I hate being a nervous nellie

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 7/5/2009 6:51:09 PM

The soft stools could be caused by giardia. At least here, it's fairly common for dogs that are swimmers to contract it. If my guys have more than one bout of soft stools, I take a stool sample by the vet's office for a giardia test.

I'd definitely have a UA done. My guys are definitely drinking more, & peeing more because of the heat, but the licking would concern me.

kpwlee

Posted : 7/5/2009 6:53:42 PM

Thanks Amanda that is what I was thinking on both

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/5/2009 8:56:29 PM

Agreed. It's always better to check nothing than to leave something unchecked.

Did I mention that my vet LOVES me? LOL

kpwlee

Posted : 7/6/2009 7:37:15 AM

jennie_c_d
Agreed. It's always better to check nothing than to leave something unchecked.

Most things are easier to deal with if caught early that is how I think anyway.

jennie_c_d
Did I mention that my vet LOVES me? LOL

We were regulars as we sorted out his allergies and we were going as we settled with his thyroid but we have been doing really well. It is a large practice but they all know Bugsy Geeked

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/6/2009 12:38:14 PM

A dog can get parasites just from a puddle much less a lake, so yeah it is absolutely possible.

The UTI -- mostly the licking is a huge sign. more drinking/peeing yes, or reluctance to pee -- either one.

brookcove

Posted : 7/6/2009 1:13:35 PM

Giardia is almost a given if you hang out where the geese are. It's so ubiquitous that most of us worm regularly with a product that takes care of giardia, too. It can be really tricky to catch so go ahead and have the vet test for it, but you might emphasize the goose poop exposure. Wink

kpwlee

Posted : 7/6/2009 1:29:13 PM

brookcove
It's so ubiquitous that most of us worm regularly with a product that takes care of giardia, too

which one is that? I am going to take him to a doggie daycare and they said I need to panacur or droncil (sp?) 3 days before (standard procedure)

brookcove

Posted : 7/6/2009 8:37:38 PM

Try the panacur first. If the soft serve comes back within a week, e-mail me and I'll tell you what the other "stuff" is. Wink

kpwlee

Posted : 7/7/2009 6:17:36 PM

thanks Becca i will pick some up tomorrow!