Oh No Layla.....

 Yeah, it's a distinct possibility that she doesn't feel good, and that's why she's occasionally snarky.

I would ask for a culture and sensitivity. They will do a sterile urine draw (not the most fun thing ever, either an ultrasound guided needle in the bladder, or a catheter). They send it to the lab, where it's grown and tested for sensitivity to various antibiotics. BEST test Emma ever had, in her whole, entire life. A new vet suggested it when she was 3 1/2. She'd had chronic UTIs from 5 months on. Getting rid of what was actually in there? Basically cured her. She had 2 more UTIs in her life. That's *it*. 

I hate to say this, but I don't really trust my vet with BIG stuff..... like this. I go there because he's very reasonably priced and my girls have been very healthy overall. (I did not have them spayed there - we used a mobile spay unit.) I don't want to leave her overnight there and doubt they even have an ultrasound machine there. I know it sounds strange to say that I don't trust my vet with big stuff, but you have to go there to understand what I mean.

How did you finally get rid of what was causing Emma's infections..... was it a certain anti-biotic?

 Yup. It was a $6 bottle of antibiotics. Both Emma and Bean had sterile urine draws. They were not even sedated. Emma was muzzled, and I held her. Bean was handled by vet techs. It's seriously NOT that bad!!!

I have never, ever left any of my dogs overnight, for anything. 

Sunshinegirl

When I asked the vet about a sterile urine draw last time we were there he said I would have to leave her overnight.

 They usually want to get the urine in the morning before she has a chance to pee, but I don't know why you have to leave her overnight. I've done this before with Jessie, and just brought her to the vet early in the morning. Your vet probably has an ultrasound machine; they're pretty common in veterinary clinics. I know what you mean about not completely trusting your vet; I tried three before finding one I really trust. But, if you live in a small town, you may not have much choice. I'll keep Layla in my thoughts and I hope she feels better very soon.

jennie_c_d

They send it to the lab, where it's grown and tested for sensitivity to various antibiotics. BEST test Emma ever had, in her whole, entire life. A new vet suggested it when she was 3 1/2. She'd had chronic UTIs from 5 months on. Getting rid of what was actually in there? Basically cured her.

My experience was the same as Jennie's.  Until the did the culture and got her on the right drug for the bacteria that she had they just kept coming back.

I've NEVER had a dog sedated for a sterile draw (and Billy's had bazoodles of them).  If the bladder is distended they don't need an ultrasound.  OR they can simply use a catheter.

DEFINITELY get a culture and sensitivity -- and honestly a vet that makes a big deal out of that isn't wonderful.  The fact that they "require" an over-night stay is frankly simply a way of discouraging you from doing it.  THAT is dumb.  Often a culture and sensitivity is the only way to accomplish finding something out.

See when they do the test, they don't just identify specifically THAT bacteria -- they *also* -- by growing the bacteria in several dishes, use various antibiotics ON it to see what kills it and how long it takes.  So the vet gets back a laundry list of several antibiotics ranked so the vet knows which antibiotic will be effective but is the "least" anbiotic (so you aren't using something over-strong at first).  But they also can avoid what isn't gonna work.

THEN -- after the full course of antibiotics, you wait TWO days and go back for *another* culture to be danged sure it is **completely** gone. 

The problem is that when a dog runs concurrent UTIs then the kidneys/bladder are **inflamed** and that damages tissue.  So you really want to get this *gone*.

One of the things they'll tell you is how high the PH is.  Some infections and some crystals grow more in urine that is too alkalyne (which is why I put tomato in the dogfood I fix -- I have 2 dogs that habitually run too alkalyne and I'm betting Luna could too, so acidfying the food is one of the ways I control it.

jessies_mom

 They usually want to get the urine in the morning before she has a chance to pee

Layla is paper trained, I'd have to keep her with me constantly while I got ready to go to the vet to be sure she didn't pee. I won't leave her overnight. Maybe I should call and speak with the vet before I take her in. I want to get to the bottom of this asap so she's not suffering. Poor baby. :(

They just took it from Willow right at the visit.  It really wasn't a big deal.  And, she's a very difficult dog for them to work with.  She had no sedation or overnight stay.   I'd definately talk to the vet.  I think they can even do a culture without a sterile draw.  I'm pretty sure they don't always take it sterile. 

They put Willow on a antibiotic while we waited for the results.  Then once the results came in we switched to the right drug.  And, she did an extended course on it.  Then she had a recheck when she was finished with the meds. 

 Emma was incontinent. She *couldn't* hold it, and it was still no problem. We did it first thing in the morning, but she had peed, whether I wanted her to or not, LOL.

I've had them for Tessy before and there really is nothing to them.  I didn't have to keep her overnight but it is better to have it done first thing in the morning ONLY if the dog has held the pee for an extended period of time. Otherwise the time of day doesn't really matter.  It is definetely better though to do a sterile draw as opposed to a free catch.  Less chance of contamination.  I'd be concerned with leaving the dog overnight.  Let them know who's boss!!!

They'll probably put her on antibiotics while they wait for the culture and sensitivity to come back so maybe you could get some milk thistle to put her on.  Good to protect the liver on ANY types of drugs!

When was the last time you had a biochem panel done for her?  Might be worth while having done....if money isn't an issue.

jennie_c_d

 Emma was incontinent. She *couldn't* hold it, and it was still no problem. We did it first thing in the morning, but she had peed, whether I wanted her to or not, LOL.

Hope it all turns out for the good for you and the pup.

Johnny & Tessy

*both* of my vets prefer a catheter to an aspirate -- with an aspirate there actually is a risk that you can *** a capillary and get blood in the urine that is NOT "in" the urine but results from the needle ***.

 Now -- trust me -- getting a catheter isn't Billy's favorite task but he's a champeen about it -- I just make sure I bring lotsa treats even if it's a late night vet visit!

calliecritturs

*both* of my vets prefer a catheter to an aspirate -- with an aspirate there actually is a risk that you can *** a capillary and get blood in the urine that is NOT "in" the urine but results from the needle ***.

Good point Callie. I will also ask about this when I call. I've already started looking for an alternate vet in case I don't like the answers that I get from the vet. If I can't get the vet on the phone before we go, then I won't take her there - period. We'll go elsewhere, after I make a few phone calls, of course. I don't have time or $$ to fool around right now and she is clearly not happy right now.

I'm also curious about diet changes. I spent some time online researching it last night and Orijen and a couple of other foods were mentioned as being good for a dog with UTI/kidney stone issues. I tried discussing diet with the vet last time and all he offered was, "get her to drink more...." LA DUH..... I need someone who really cares about my dog's well being and he doesn't seem to. I don't care how reasonably priced the vet is, if the level of care isn't there. I want to do whatever I can to eliminate this issue for good. So any diet suggestions would be appreciated. :)

Hmmmm, maybe that's what I should get them to do for Tessy when I take her in next.  Callie do you know of any sites I can do some good reading concerning catheters?  Do you think it would be more/less stressfull for Tessy?

  It takes longer, in my experience, to put a catheter in. Emma would not have tolerated it, but Emma was extremely touch sensitive.

There is a big difference in the pH of foods. That is part of the reason they have prescription urinary diets (that and mineral content). If you want to go the homemade route, Sabine and Monica can both make you a diet that works incredibly well. If not, you can call every company that makes a food you like, and find out what the "target urine pH" of their food is.