persistent UTI

asia_dobe · 09-21-2007, 01:57 AM

Hello
I have a 5.5 month female, her name is Asia. We got her at 12 weeks and she had a UTI. She was leaking (usually during sleep) from time to time. After she finished the antibiotics I brought her urine sample to the vet. She still was infected, went through the process again and now a third time. She has just finished the 3rd round of antibiotics today and she leaked on her bed. (She hasn't leaked in a couple of weeks) Vet took an x-ray to make sure there wasn't a stone or blockage, all clear. They don't think its ectopic ureter because the leaking is minimal. Now they are going to send her urine to a lab to see what the bacteria is. I am concerned about all these meds she has taken already.
I have read that diet can have an affect and also read about giving her Activa yogurt?? I am stumped and frustrated. Have any of you run into this before. Thanks

**doberkim** · 09-21-2007, 06:56 AM

It's good that your vet is doing a culture - you may have never used the right antibiotic to clear up the infection, or it may be changing sensitivity, multiple reasons it is not cleared. Personally, I would also culture her WHILE ON antibiotics before you take her off (and do a full 3-4 week course, not just 7 days) to confirm that the infection is gone.

Cranberry comfort or some of the vetri-science supplements for the bladder are other things I add into each UTI case ( as well as dogs that dribble urine).
Dogs with recurrent puppy vaginitis due to structure of the vulva can get recurrent urinary tract infections - has your vet looked into this?

**Jenny** · 09-21-2007, 09:48 AM

Isabelle had multiple UTIs when she was a puppy. She was on lots of different antibiotics. It is good that your vet is doing the culture. I'd follow Kim's suggestions about another as well. Isabelle still leaks and is on meds that control that. She is on s low dose of phenylpropanolamine. Yep, I had to get the bottle out in order to spell it

I can remember when she started taking it as it was quite along time ago. Each year she has blood work done to make sure it is not masking other issues with her kidneys. She is 7 years old.

asia_dobe · 09-21-2007, 07:17 PM

Kim & Jenny
Thanks so much for the helpful info. I feel a bit less worried now.
Asia is going to get the culture done on Monday and we decided to have her spayed then too. She isn't a good traveller (throws up everytime) so we thought we'd get both things done. I do have her on a cranberry supplements, I hope it is helping her. She is such a bright, loving girl. I will post a photo when I figure out how..LOL I'd love to hear about your Dobe's
Thanks again
Sheila

reddobes · 09-21-2007, 10:56 PM

*** I would NOT recommend spaying your dog while she has a UTI and is leaking urine, especially if there is any chance that puppy vaginitis is contributing. Spaying while she has vaginitis can lead to long term issues with this. I would recommend waiting until after her 1st heat to spay her.

If her problem persists, I would recommend a contrast study to rule out ectopic ureter -- an IV contrast media is given and xrays are taken at specific times afterward to trace the ureters from the kidneys to the bladder.

And like Kim said, a culture/sensitivity and appropriate duration of antibiotics is critical to treating urinary tract infections.
Good luck with your pup!!

asia_dobe · 09-23-2007, 01:27 AM

Thanks for the info. I am so frustrated with this bladder stuff. My poor girl has had this since we got her (June 18 @10 weeks old) I was told that letting her go through a heat increases the chances of cancers..etc...and that it was better to get her done before. Better to wait after what you've told me. I just want her to be well. She's a beauty, she's my heartbeat :P
Thanks again

reddobes · 09-23-2007, 11:05 AM

There is still a dramatic decrease in the risk of mammary cancer in dogs spayed before their second heat. Also, about 1/2 of mammary tumors in dogs are benign -- there is no good way to tell which is which without sending the tumor into a pathologist.
some FAQ done by the repro specialist at the UofMN
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~rootk001/FAQ_Root_Kustritz.htm

reddobes · 09-23-2007, 11:06 AM

Here is a link w/ stats about the risk of mammary cancer and other info on spaying,etc
http://courses.vetmed.wsu.edu/vm552/...Vulvovaginitis

Monica · 09-23-2007, 01:08 PM

I spoke to my vet about Kade leaking while she was sleeping which began after she finished her antibiotics for the BV. He was going to take a urine sample, but she had urinated before we left the house so there wasn't enough for him to check. He said that when I brought her in for her rabies shot to not let her go before hand and he would empty her bladder for a culture.

Her appt is next week. I'm not sure if it's going to make a difference though because she hasn't leaked in her sleep the way she was before. I'm still going to have him check it though.

DLS · 09-25-2007, 02:34 PM

I agree that you should not get your bitches spayed until after their first heat, especially if they suffer from puppy vaginitis.

I have used the cranberry pills and Vitamin C on older spayed females with recurring bladder infections, and had great results. Also grapefruit seed extract works for me when I have had a bladder infection myself, I use the liquid form but it is bitter, so I would try the pill form for dogs.