E-Coli in urinary tract

    • Gold Top Dog

    E-Coli in urinary tract

    We took in the dog mentioned in this thread a few days ago
    [linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=153727]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=153727[/link]
    She did an excellent job rehabilitating her but her UTI returned after she finished her antibiotics.She was put on another and a lab test sent away showing E-coli bacteria.The vet wants her on more antibiotics to try to clear this up.Has anyone else ever had this? Any suggestions on how to help her recover from this and keep it from returning again? We add about 2 cups of water with her food,3 times a day in addition to having water available to help keep her very well hydrated.Her urine right now is almost clear,not even yellow so im guessing she is pretty hydrated!
    I have ordered a herbal supplement from animals apawthecary called tinkle tonic that is supposed to help soothe and disinfect the urinary tract.She is also on a homeopathic treatment to help re-absorb the scars on her corneas.She is gaining weight nicely but will allways be a very small lab.

    • Gold Top Dog
    Hi again!!  Bless you for taking this one on!!
     
    E-coli thrives in grains ... is there ANY chance you would be willing to homecook for this gal for a while??  I'd put her on a classic 'cancer' diet -- that would simply be a diet without grain carbs (say about 25% protein and 75% veggie -- cooked and mashed or pureed) -- that's a rough estimate and you'd need to add fat to that, but it would help you starve the e coli.
     
    Has the vet done a sterile urine draw??  That would mean either a catheter or drawing urine specifically from the bladder with a long needle.  Then they send that to a lab and 'culture' it which takes about 5 days -- they 'grow' whatever they can grow and then they treat that culture with various drugs so you get a report back telling you exactly WHAT bacteria (and maybe it's more than e coli) and what drugs will (and won't) kill it.  It's called a 'culture and sensitivity'. 
     
    But yeah, you've got to get rid of the ecoli and once you do treat it, then you'll have to do another sterile urine draw several days (like 5 days to a week) after you stop the antibiotic to MAKE SURE it's gonna stay gone. 
     
    With all Billy's gone thru with the IMHA and the bazoodles of steroids, he's having a tough time with a UTI too and he's been on a bunch of different antibiotics (and we have to be SO careful not to tick off the IMHA with antibiotics).  But essentially we're doing the SAME thing. 
     
    I can send you a couple of cancer diets -- I'm not suggesting this is cancer ... only that a cancer diet will accomplish helping to kill the e coli because it is a carb-less diet.  E coli thrives on grain ... so subtract the grain from the diet to help starve it.
     
    The holistic stuff is great -- I'm doing all I can do with Billy as well.  He gets cranberry twice a day as well -- that doesn't 'cure' but it makes them more comfortable and it helps the infection cells not 'stick' to the urinary tract.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I am dealing with that also with Winnie (along with multiple other problems).  E coli is  frustrating to treat, as it easily mutates into something your current antibiotic may not take care of.  My best advice is make sure you follow through with regular cystos to be sure you have an antibiotic that will work.  We have gone through all the doggie meds...now working on older human meds. 

    I can't consider the carb free diet for Winnie, but my thoughts are that it is worth a try for you.

    A Vet tech on another board also mentioned that they are having some success with D-Mannose for persistent ecoli infections.  It is found in a health food store.  You might research it and talk with your Vet about it.  Mine just said "Use at your own risk" 

    Apparently, these infections are being seen more often now, and are stumping many Vets. Good luck, and keep in touch.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Im not sure how the urine was collected but it was a culture that was sent away for 5 days.It was taken before she was brought here.The vet said she was on the appropriate antibiotic but just wanted to use it longer.
    I already homecook for her and she gets lots of pureed veggies.I was doing it just so she could have a full belly but i guess its good for both! I do have cranberry extract,i hadnt thought to use that (duh!)
    [linkhttp://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Animals-Apawthecary-Tinkle-Tonic/148001.aspx]http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Animals-Apawthecary-Tinkle-Tonic/148001.aspx[/link]
    heres the info on the tinkle tonic i ordered.I will let you guys know if it helps,maybe you would want to try it?
    She is doing alot better than she was,my biggest worry is her eyes,i dont want her to end up blind at such a young age.She already has blind spots from the scarring and an overall blue tint to her corneas,like cataracts.Otherwise she is a very happy energetic puppy,like she should be!!!Bless her for being so forgiving to humans!
    • Silver
    You may also want to get her on a good probiotic, not just because she's on antibiotics but there is quite an interest now with them in prevention of UTI. If you do a search you may find some good links.
    Also, I do think that freshly pressed cranberry juice (the nasty bitter stuff) is amazing for UTI (d-mannose is in it). If you do use it you may have to squirt it with a syringe in the side of her mouth, as she probably won't be very happy with the taste [&:]
    • Gold Top Dog
    All of my dogs already take probiotics,digestive enzymes,vit E,fish body oil,cod liver oil,vit C and a B-12 supplement.
    • Silver
    That's great!
    • Gold Top Dog
    I would like to publicly thank you, nyiceprincess, for taking in Bella (if that is still her name, of course)!
    My daughter was feeling very overwhelmed with caring for her along with her young family, and her husband being deployed.  I contacted nyiceprincess through this board and asked if she could help, and she did! 
    I am so thankful that Amy was able to resuce Bella from the hell that was her puppyhood.  And I am thankful for this message board to help make the kind of connections that happened to even further help Bella flourish!
    Edited to add:  I will ask Amy if she knows how the urine was collected for the culture.
    • Gold Top Dog
    You are very welcome! We did keep her name,she does seem to know it.Amy did a wonderful job getting her back to health!! She did a wonderful thing,her mother taught her well.I just want to make sure she is totally healthy before she finds her forever home.I wouldnt want to find her a home and have the UTI keep coming back on her.I am also concerned about her eyes as most people dont want to adopt a dog that may end up going blind early in life.I will be talking to Amy tomorrow.She is getting her antibiotic refilled and i found her a herbal remedy to try for her dogs incontinence.I hope it works for her!