My malt is SICK..........AGAIN !!!!

1561 Views 19 Replies 15 Participants Last post by KAG, Apr 29, 2010

poochie2

Discussion Starter · Apr 28, 2010

I had posted in the past regarding ! !/2 year old Vanilla and her bladder infection. This is probobly a month ago. She had a UTI and 20 struvite crystals were found in her urine. She had 14 days of antibiotics. FAST forward now..........
This morning I went to go pick her up and she was SHAKING like crazy. I brought her to the vet and her temperature was at 103.2:mellow:
He did a full BLOOD work on her and says the results are ready in 24 hours. He'll be checking everything from liver to kidneys. Poor thing had 3 shots today.
Blood work, ANAFEN injection and DUPLOCILLIN injection. One was for her fever and one was for infection.
I had collected urine an hour later and her results were: White blood cells elevated and Protein 4+. PH 8.4 Negative for blood and bacteria. He thinks she may have inflamation?? I have no idea what's going on but she also had her heartworm test done today since thery were drawing blood . My vet bill was $320 today ! I was shocked how expensive it was but...........the fluff is worth it cause I love her.
Please....any comments? What do you think of her results?
Thanks I also forgot to mention her urine NOW showed negative 0 for struvite crystals!

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Ladysmom

· #2 · Apr 28, 2010

She needs to have a sterile culture done. Free catch samples just aren't that reliable. They will send it to the lab and they will be able to determine the exact antibiotics she needs.

Most UTI's are caused by Ecoli which is very resistant to antibiotics. I went through this with Lady a few years ago. It turned out she had two different strains of Ecoli and needed two different antibiotics to clear up her infection.

poochie2

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 28, 2010

Ladysmom said:
She needs to have a sterile culture done. Free catch samples just aren't that reliable. They will send it to the lab and they will be able to determine the exact antibiotics she needs.

Most UTI's are caused by Ecoli which is very resistant to antibiotics. I went through this with Lady a few years ago. It turned out she had two different strains of Ecoli and needed two different antibiotics to clear up her infection.

How do you get a sterile urine sample? My vet did not send the urine out. The have some high tech device which spins the urine for 15 minutes. That test alone was $63.

uniquelovdolce

· #4 · Apr 28, 2010

i hope she feels better soon and its nothing serious .

maltlovereileen

· #5 · Apr 28, 2010

Just posting to send positive thoughts that her situation clears up quickly...

Ladysmom

· #6 · Apr 28, 2010

poochie2 said:
How do you get a sterile urine sample? My vet did not send the urine out. The have some high tech device which spins the urine for 15 minutes. That test alone was $63.

Bacterial culture and sensitivity of urine is performed to identify the offending organism (usually E. coli, Proteus, Staph or Strep). Urine for culture must be obtained by cystocentesis (collection of urine by a sterile needle passed through the abdominal wall and into the bladder) or catheterization (collection of urine via a catheter passed by sterile technique through the urethra and into the bladder), to assure proper interpretation of results.

Acute Cystitis in Dogs

My vets usually do a sterile culture if a course of antibiotics doesn't clear the infection up. You can waste a lot of money on the wrong antibiotics. The lab will grow a culture and you will know for sure which antibiotics the bacteria is sensitive to.

maltlovereileen

· #7 · Apr 28, 2010

I'm guessing getting a sterile sample is something the vet has to do (via catheter or something)???

Hunter's Mom

· #8 · Apr 28, 2010

When Hunter first came to live with us it took months for us to get everything all settled up and get to the bottom of a rather tough infection. I know its frustrating but you are asking really good questions and there are a lot of great people here with so much information.

What truly helped me was paying for an appointment with the vet without Hunter to discuss a plan of attack for him since I didn't want to keep treating assumptions of minor issues but wanted to attack the underlying situation. If my vet hadn't been open to this then I would have changed vets because this was very important to me and we have had this type of consultation twice in the 2.5 years we have had him.

jmm

· #9 · Apr 28, 2010

I strongly agree about getting a sterile urine sample for culture before starting antibiotics.

My 2 yr old has normal urine analysis and will grow bacteria on a culture. Antibiotic resistance is a very, very serious problem...infections are nothing to mess with.

Labwork is appropriate. An abdominal x-ray to rule out the most common bladder stones is also a good idea.

Dogs can have something called sterile cystitis. It means they do not have an infection, but instead they have inflammation of the bladder wall. It can be extremely uncomfortable for them.

majik921

· #10 · Apr 28, 2010

Oh I'm so sorry your little one is sick. My pet insurance plan covers most of the tests you're talking about for general infections like UTI's etc... I know you said the price was worth it and of course I agree, but have you looked into getting medical coverage for your pup?

I know with some TLC and the right meds this will clear up in no time!
Just sending positive thoughts and get well dust!

Katkoota

· #11 · Apr 28, 2010

awwh so sorry to read this

hope your little one gets back to self soon (hugs)

Kat

drclee

· #12 · Apr 28, 2010

I am so sorry to hear your poor baby is continuing to have health problems. I really hope you get to the bottom of this. Sending you prayers.

poochie2

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 28, 2010

Blood test results: Everything is excellent
Her protein levels, cholesterol, creatine, ALT,AST, sodium, urea,,calcium, etc. was normal. He re-checked her and her fever was gone. I still do not know why her urine sample showed protein 4+ and white cells. He did not prescribe anything.

Matilda's mommy

· #14 · Apr 28, 2010

I know how expensive vets are, we never walk out of their office without paying at least $100.00:huh: I hope your baby girl feels better soon

CeeCee's Mom

· #15 · Apr 29, 2010

I am so sorry your baby is sick...........please keep us informed! ......and good luck!!!

susie and sadie

· #16 · Apr 29, 2010

I am so sorry you and your baby are going through this. I will keep her in my prayers and hope you get to the bottom of this soon. :grouphug::grouphug:

Ladysmom

· #17 · Apr 29, 2010

poochie2 said:
Blood test results: Everything is excellent
Her protein levels, cholesterol, creatine, ALT,AST, sodium, urea,,calcium, etc. was normal. He re-checked her and her fever was gone. I still do not know why her urine sample showed protein 4+ and white cells. He did not prescribe anything.

Elevated white blood cells means infection. I'd get that sterile culture done.

cyndrae

· #18 · Apr 29, 2010

maltlovereileen said:
I'm guessing getting a sterile sample is something the vet has to do (via catheter or something)???

When Lilly had a urine sample they put a needle into her bladder to collect it.

EmmasMommy

· #19 · Apr 29, 2010

High Proteinuria ( 4+ is high) is a sign of the kidney leaking protein. If the tubule in the kidney got damaged the protein ( which are big molecules) leak out. This could be caused by a UTI that went up the ureters and caused a kidney infection. This is relatively common if the organism that caused the UTI is not cleared up and the organism infiltrates the urinary system. Normally urine had NO protein in it.

Since there was evidence of infection and high protein the vet must be thinking it could be pylonephritis ( bacterial infection of the kidney)? The treatment again is an organism specific antibiotic. I am not up on dog specific antibiotics but rest assured there are plenty. Just remember when treating urinary infections hydration is key to successful treatment and give every dose of A/B on time. Don't skip any.

KAG

· #20 · Apr 29, 2010

I hope your baby gets well soon.
xoxoxoxooxox

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