Dog Community

Willow needs prayers again

Posted : 3/21/2007 11:42:16 PM

Oh, boy, here we are again. Willow had a UTI a few weeks ago. She's prone to them, has had testing for crystals in her urine before, ultrasound and x-rays in the past. But, she hadn't had one in awhile. So, when she had all the symptoms we took her in, they did the urine test, gave her the antibiotics and wanted a couple of re-checks. No big deal, I wasn't all that concerned.

Well, today we went for the 10 day after the antibiotics are done check. And, they called me and want her to come in in the morning for a re-check. They found a large amount "too large for us to ignore" of calcium oxalate crystals in her urine. They want to re-check before they do anything else. And, these are the kind that are a real pain in the a*s to treat and prevent from coming back.

I was shocked! She's always had struvite and now this! I've been giving her cranberry, which would be bad for this kind! I feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. When is she going to be able to have some relief from all the vet visits and constant issues. It's almost four years later and the most she's ever gone without seeing the vet for something is six months. It's not the money. It's just that we had hoped that when we took her the issues would even off and she'd eventually just live a pretty normal life. I'm wondering if that will ever happen.

It seems like this dog has suffered and suffers so much. I don't understand, why her? Of course, why any dog, but really, why is she meant to suffer like this?

We were just really trying to focus on her training and walking more since the weather is getting better. Now, who knows how she's going to feel if they start treating her. And, diet changes are a nightmare with her between IBS and finickiness.

Anyway, thanks for listening.
Lori[&:]

Stacita

Posted : 3/22/2007 6:40:46 AM

Oh Lori,

I'm am sooo sorry that Willow has had another set back. We are keeping our fingers and paws crossed that this is just minor and will need only an adjustment in her supplements. Try not to worry until you have more information.

Take care,

Stacy, Tasha, Floyd & Wolfgang

denise m

Posted : 3/22/2007 7:24:49 AM

Get well soon Willow!

glenmar

Posted : 3/22/2007 7:39:48 AM

Uh oh. Poor pretty girl!

My whole crew is sending out feel better vibes.

marty_ga

Posted : 3/22/2007 11:34:02 AM

I'm sending you both some good health prayers. Winnie had recurring UTI's also...sounds like her PH is easily upset. I wonder if your Vet could teach you how to check the PH to catch it before it gets off balance.

jenhuedepohl

Posted : 3/22/2007 11:35:20 AM

Oh no Wilow! I'm so sorry you have to go through all this. Please get well!

willowchow

Posted : 3/22/2007 11:44:59 AM

Thank you! BIG heart attack for nothing! The second sample showed no cyrstals! So, the vet was in surgery and will be calling me to go over the other results later. Either they are idiots or refrigerating the sample before I brought it in somehow effected it. They told me I could keep it cold until I brought it in. But, I wonder because that's the first time this has ever happened and I've brought in lots of samples over the years.

Thanks! I'll update once I talk to the vet too. I hardly slept last night worrying and now I've got to go to work, UGHHHHH!!

THANK YOU. I'm so glad Willow has you all for friends.[

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cakana

Posted : 3/22/2007 11:52:11 AM

Lori - I hope that the second test is the accurate one and it was just an error on their part. Not great to have to go thru all this, but better than finding out she actually has a problem.

I so totally understand your thoughts about her suffering. It's been the same with Sassy. I don't think we've gone even 90 days without a problem for about the last 18 months. It's so heartbreaking and the money adds up, but I can't think of an amount that I wouldn't be willing to pay to get her healthy. Latest for us is back on Pred because like Willow, we can never seem to find any antibiotics to clear up her infections. Anyway - I'll be anxious to hear what you find out and I hope it's all good news [

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willowchow

Posted : 3/22/2007 3:33:53 PM

Thank you Kathy. I'll keep Sassy in my thoughts too. I feel like I shouldn't feel sorry for her. I know some dogs are much worse off. But, I see my family's dogs and my friends dog and even my clients and they all just go along every day, no problems, maybe something minor comes up once in awhile. Willow's never had that.

cakana

Posted : 3/22/2007 3:40:36 PM

Yep, and like you, we've had the aggression problems to deal with. I remind myself that very few people would've loved her and cared for her like we have, and that gives me some comfort. I also remind myself that had it not been for adopting Sassy and her aggression issues, I would've never found this forum [

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gradyupmybutt

Posted : 3/22/2007 7:28:57 PM

Awwwwww, Willow, sweetie, get better soon & forever. Tell your mom to give you a kiss on your forehead from me. Kisses always make it better.

willowchow

Posted : 3/22/2007 8:03:17 PM

Cathy--Your right I came to this forum for the same reasons. And, she does have me, you're right about that too.

Thank ANNIE!!

Now update---DIDN'T get a call from the vet today. She was supposed to call to go over the rest of the results. We were told no crystals were there today and that she'd call us about the rest of the test.

The whole reason we were going back is to make sure the infection was gone. I'm VERY surprised. Willow's vet has always been excellent about returning phone calls and following up. I've got the feeling that she didn't even know about yesterday. They said she'd be in tomorrow and I'm going to call her if I don't hear from her first thing. I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt because many times I wished she was my doctor.

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/22/2007 10:36:24 PM

Lori, fwiw, the cylosporine Billy is on makes him MAJORLY prone to uti's - and even cranberry alone just will not prevent them.

1. D-mannose is great. It's a nutri-ceutical. It's magnesium in a sugar form. It does NOT get absorbed by the body but, like cranberry, it bonds with infection cells and keeps them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. I use the "NOW" brand (don't use the Solaray one -- the ratio of d-manose to cranberry is wrong) but this stuff has been Billy's saving grace!!

2. This is another palce where the Chinese herbals have come to our rescue. Even with the d-mannose and cranberry, the cyclosporine SO sets him up for a UTI he still gets them about once a month. I have been given by the TCVM vet a Chinese herbal called Ba-Zhang that is an herbal 'antibiotic' for a UTI that I can give for a few days at the very first sign of an infection.

Billy was on MAJOR MEGA antibiotics for over **five** months when this whole IMHA thing started and I didn't think we'd ever get him off all the antibiotics. But with the addition of the d-mannose we did and I haven't had to have him on antibiotics for it since September!! The 'regular' vets are FINE with this.

Try the D-mannose. it's not easy to find (I know Jennie_cd uses it too) -- and it does come in powder form (and Jennie will tell you the powder is better than the capsules). But I just stir it in the food. It literally tastes like confectionary sugar! No problem getting him to eat that. Might help.

willowchow

Posted : 3/22/2007 11:45:45 PM

Thanks Callie! I will give it a try. I feel like I start one thing, something happens, try something else. I'm a routine person and all this constant switching supplements and foods is just driving me crazy.

dyan

Posted : 3/23/2007 8:00:40 AM

I remind myself that very few people would've loved her and cared for her like we have, and that gives me some comfort.

Hey Lori and Cathy,,,this is exactly what I was thinking while reading this thread. I just read this for the first time,,,and Lori,,I'm so sorry there is more worries for you and Willow. I am lucky now with Bubblegum...but I know what both of you are saying as this is what we went thru with Ollie,,,you always just felt so worried and sorry for your dog. I just KNOW that both Sassy and Willow are so lucky to have such great Moms as you! They could have ended up with someone that would have dumped them at the nearest shelter just because they wouldn't take care of them. Thank God for you guys!
Lori, make sure you call that vet today again. Yes..give them the benefit of the doubt...but I would be sure to ask them why they didn't call yesterday,,,as you were worried.
Please let us know as soon as you find out. I will keep my fingers crossed for you!
dyan