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Excessive drinking & peeing caused by antibiotic?

Posted : 3/26/2007 12:36:47 AM

Why is my dog drinking so much water and urinating so strangely?Possible side effect of the antibiotic?

Since my 3 year old terrier mix has been on an antibiotic Delta Albaplex 3x for the last three days to treat his tracheal bronchitis (was severely coughing prior to treatment) he's been drinking water excessively and urinating abnormally. He drinks large amounts each time and urinates several times in an hour. He can't seem to control his bladder, wakes up two to three times a night to go outside and has been peeing all over the house even after relieving himself outside for long periods. I've found puddles on the tile around the house that I've dismissed as puddles of water because they are clear and don't have the typical urine smell but I caught him in the act several times and it was his urine. Another abnormality is the way that he stands when he pees. He stands in one place for a long time perhaps a minute or longer and the urine comes out in drips and spurts instead of in a steady stream which is the reason why he takes so long to relieve himself. He stands there for so long that from afar he looks as if he's standing there watching something but he's not. I'm really concerned about this since I don't know if this is just a side effect from the antibiotic-is this drug making him really thirsty but even if it is why is the pee coming out in drips the way it does? He's never been on antibiotics before so I have nothing to compare this experience with. Could this be a sign of a urinary tract infection or is it temporary? I asked the vet tech if there are any known side effects to this drug but he said there wasn't and that his abnormal urination could be a whole separate issue.

Is there anyone who has had experience with this drug and noticed the same/similar behavior?

kennel_keeper

Posted : 3/26/2007 5:12:54 AM

It could possibly be the anitbiotics, but is he on any other meds for the bronchitis?

Do they have him on any pills to help the "congestion", if so, this could be what is causing the excessive urination and thirst.

janet_rose

Posted : 3/26/2007 5:18:42 AM

Since my 3 year old terrier mix has been on an antibiotic Delta Albaplex 3x for the last three days to treat his tracheal bronchitis (was severely coughing prior to treatment) he's been drinking water excessively and urinating abnormally.

Novobiocin (Albaplex, Delta Albaplex)
[link>http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1451&articleid=1449]www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1451&articleid=1449[/link][/size]
"[size=3]Side Effects - May see fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, rashes, and blood disorders. In humans, allergic reactions and liver disease have also been seen. ...[/size]
[size=3][/size] [size=3]
Because it contains a steroid, Delta Albaplex is not for use in animals with tuberculosis, Cushing's disease, or stomach ulcers and should be used with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, osteoporosis (loss of calcium in the bones), fungal diseases, or predisposition to inflammation of the blood vessels."

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[size=2]Could this be a sign of a urinary tract infection or is it temporary? I asked the vet tech if there are any known side effects to this drug but he said there wasn't and that his abnormal urination could be a whole separate issue.

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I would take the dog back to the vet NOW. A urinary tract or kidney infection is possible, but so is diabetes and kidney failure. Kidney failure is often not detected until it is serious, so this could easily be your first indication of it.

ETA: Has your terrier been on any of the recalled dog foods made by Menu Foods?

klkerr

Posted : 3/26/2007 8:56:26 AM

My dog was on this medicine and it said on the bottle it could cause excessive thirst and urination (one of the warning stickers). I was letting him out more frequently but he sleeps with us and in the night we know that he "leaked" on our bed. As soon as he stopped taking the medication, no more problems.

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/26/2007 10:38:46 PM

Frankly, it's a side effect of the medication pretty plainly. That's not just an antibiotic - it's got STEROID in it and that's likely what's causing all the urinary distress.

Steroids cause them to feel horribly 'dry' and they drink (and DO NOT withhold water from this animal under any circumstances -- let him drink ALL HE NEEDS). It's part of the body's defense mechanism to flush away the chemical.

But steroids also can interfere with how the muscles act -- it can make it problematic for them to 'relax' to go (hence the start/stop/start/stop) -- he's not trying to do that -- he can't get it to release so he can go. The muscle won't obey his brain's commands. Then later, particularly when he is more relaxed, the bladder muscles let go and he wets when he doesn't intend to.

CALL YOUR VET -- the dog shouldn't have this sort of side effect without the vet being aware. If it were my dog, I agree with Janet. This is a risky drug (were you told?) and if it were my dog I'd want a different drug used.

Butterbear, **don't** just stop the drug -- you *must* tell the vet. Because you can't just take them off a steroid. No idea how long the 'life' of this is in the body or how long it takes for the body to be dependant on it. Just stopping it can cause a serious rebound affect that can be dangerous.

Wilma

Posted : 3/27/2007 2:36:27 AM

Yes I did finally find out today from the clinic about the steroid ingredient and its effects. Thank you for the further details regarding the muscle control.

I called his regular vet today and the vet that prescribed him the drug to discuss a different option but neither were available. You are both right-it is a scary drug and extremely hard on the body. He's been on it for four days now with only three more days worth left. Would it be risky to stop giving it to him with only three days left. I did not give him his dose today. I thought about just giving him half a dose but decided to forego it all together. It's really exhausting him and I worry that the stress may trigger his seizures. I am not aware of any rebound effects that may occur but is he in danger after only four days on it?

The vet didn't give me any information on what to expect from the drug and I had forgotten to ask. The next day however I tried to get info from the vet tech and explained to him the symptoms but he as well was uninformed and told me nothing of the steroid content and instead told me that it could be a UTI.

I'll try the vet again in the morning. Thanks for everyone's replies!