More UTI questions-ER visit for Boaz

[twright1231]

I took Boaz to the ER tonight. He had such a difficult time trying to pee, it just dribbled. And he never really seemed to feel like he emptied. He made several rounds in the yard trying to squat and pee. He was so uncomfortable.

The vet said that for a three year old male, neutered, healthy, large breed dog, this presentation was pretty rare. Does that sound right?

He had no external irritation, gunk, redness or inflammation. The vet suggested bladder stones was a possibility. How could he get bladder stones?

He's been drinking lots of water, which the vet said was expected, but the water diluted his urine so much they couldn't find identifiable bacteria, although they did find some blood. He put him on antibiotics for 10 days.

Also, they took the urine sample via needle through his abdomen, right into his bladder, saying this was the best way to insure no cross contamination. I had never heard of this. Is this common?

Poor guy tried to pee a dozen times in a few hours. It took so much effort. The vet said the next step would be xrays to check for stones if this doesn't resolve.

Any experience here would be appreciated.

 

[ardeagold]

Cole had a UTI and did the exact same thing. However, he's 4 yrs old and intact, not neutered. But UTI's with that presentation are still more rare in males than females from what I've heard. Although my Vet said he sees plenty of them and didn't seem concerned at all.

One thing ... if he's not feeling pretty much 100% better in say, 36 hrs, talk to the Vet and make SURE the dose of antibiotics is the high end for the dog's weight. They had Cole taking the low end dose of Cephalexin for his weight (150 lbs) and it wasn't clearing up the infection. He was better but still not "right" after 2 days.

So, the dose was upped to the high end for the weight and he was completely back to normal in less than 24 hrs. We kept him on the higher dose Cephalexin for 10 more days, but he was feeling fine quickly once the dose was correct.

Hope Boaz is better soon!

 

[Angela]

get bladder stones?

Also, they took the urine sample via needle through his abdomen, right into his bladder, saying this was the best way to insure no cross contamination. I had never heard of this. Is this common?

Any experience here would be appreciated.

Yes, this is fairly common, it's the best way to get a urine spec. without contamination.

You can also give him cranberry pills, about one twice a day

 

[R Taft]

Katy just had her urine Spec taken that way, it is the best way to get an uncontaminated spec.
And because we had no idea what was wrong with her and she had increased white cells (only just) they put her on mega dose anti-B's, just in case......

Prostrate is the other thing that can happen with male dogs. it can get inflamed for several reasons....Hoping it is a UTI and clears up quickly

 

[Ginny]

Using a needle is called cystocentisis and the best way to get a sample. Hopefully, they sent it to be cultured. That way an appropriate antibiotic can be prescribed. Were his parents clear for cystinuria? That's the one condition we've a DNA test for...

 

[twright1231]

Were his parents clear for cystinuria? That's the one condition we've a DNA test for...

Yes, his parents were cleared for cystinuria.

He's on 1500 mg of Cephelaxin 2x per day. He's 141 lbs. Hope that dose will do it.

He asked to go out 2x between 12 and 3, and then again at 6 am.

Hoping this clears up quickly. I can see he's miserable.

We do have the cranberry tabs, and we'll be starting with consistency today.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Sounds pretty much like our experience with Zeke, after one day on antibiotics we had a noticeable change. Hoping and praying it's just a UTI. I think we were on the antibiotics longer cause of the high rate of re-occurance.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Oh poor Boaz I bet he feels like junk...here's to hoping that it's just a simple UTI and NOT stones.

 

[Ginny]

Did they culture to pick the antibiotic? I'm surprised when vets prescribe Keflex (cephalexin) for UTI's- that's one my vets go to more for skin issues. Usually, it's amoxi, clavamox, or bactrim (Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole) when they first treat w/o culture results.

 

[Keira25]

I have to second (or third) the advice to make sure they culture the sample to make sure the right antibiotic is prescribed. My Keira was on Cephalexin for a couple weeks, which she fought us every step of the way, only to find out the bacteria she had would not respond to that. So then we had to go on another expensive antiobiotic (Baytril) which did do the trick. It was wasted time, money, and further discomfort to the dog because of that.

 

[BLCOLE]

I had an interesting experience with UTIs and intact male dogs. My second Newf, Vinnie, had CHRONIC UTIs. My vetrinarian finally suggested that I change the food I fed him. I changed him from Nutro Lamb and Rice Large Breed to REGULAR Nutro Large Breed.

UTI cleared right up and NEVER came back...

 

[NewfieMama]

I have to second (or third) the advice to make sure they culture the sample to make sure the right antibiotic is prescribed. My Keira was on Cephalexin for a couple weeks, which she fought us every step of the way, only to find out the bacteria she had would not respond to that. So then we had to go on another expensive antiobiotic (Baytril) which did do the trick. It was wasted time, money, and further discomfort to the dog because of that.

Cooper was on Baytril, I think it was like $500 worth but it cleared up his prostate infection. Luckily the vets started him on it right away but the culture confirmed it was the right med. It took a month to get rid of the infection then once he got his strength back we had him neutered to prevent recurrence.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Sorry for the UTI. Hope it clears up soon and no stones. Does Boaz have to hold pee for long periods of time like while no oneis home. Someone I know had UTI problems in a older male after she strated a full time job. Up till then the dog was able to get out several times a day and even took long walks.

 

[twright1231]

Thanks for all the input. Boaz seems to feel better already tonight. I hope he continues to improve.

Our regular vet left me a message first thing this morning to say they had seen the ER report. We'll take Boaz in two weeks from now to check the specimen again, or sooner if needed.

 

[Lori]

Chance had a lot of UTI's and he usually always got Cephalexin. He also got cranberry tablets. At one time they thought he had a problem with his prostate, ended up with exploratory surgery and found a testicle!

Hope Boaz continues to feel better!

 

[twright1231]

Does Boaz have to hold pee for long periods of time like while no oneis home.

Yes, they are home while we are at work. Within the next couple of of weeks I should be able to return to working from home at least 3 days per week. I'm sure that will help.

 

[Angela]

Any updates?

 

[kastle]

Lucy was at the vets last week with a UTI. I spent Thursday night on the couch. I didn't even bother taking my coat or shoes off because she wanted to go out every 15 minutes. It was a very long night. She has had a couple of UTI's in the past. Usually my vet gives her bactrim. There was a new vet at the office this time and she gave her clavamox. By Saturday, she was back to her old self.

 

[twright1231]

Boaz is back to being my huge 3 year old puppy! I'm glad we got this under control quickly. I'm in Dallas for the week, and Mike's been holding down the fort, keeping up with medication routines, cranberry suppliments, and general daddying. Everything seems back to normal! Thanks for all the input.

 

[NinaA]

Sounds like Moonlight is in the same boat as Boaz. BTW they did the urine sample, too. Gets the best results and her's was a mess. So, they're putting her on a broad spectrum until the cultures come back. I'm thinking, and they are too, that when she was sick after Echo died the infection did not completely clear up and has come back. Thus, the culture and specific antibiotics. Good luck and Good grief!!!