UTI - again!

[megts]

Good day everyone,

You might be familiar with my puppy Kara from a thread about her coughing. I am afraid that she has UTI for the second time. We went for a walk this morning and she kept straining to pee, perhaps trying at least 10 times in different spots. She would not poo either (walked around for an hour, hoping she'll potty), which is incredibly strange for her. Once we got home and wiped her, I saw a smudge of blood. Between a rash, her first uti and coughing we have been to the vet every week since we got her a little over a month ago.

With her first UTI the vet tested for bacteria growth but nothing grew, she put her on Clavaseptin and the symptoms seemed to subside after a day. She finished her course and was good as new. A few days after, she started coughing and was given another round of Clavaseptin. It has now been over a week without any antibiotic.I give her cranberry supplements, probiotic, feed her Acana. I would not want her to go on another round of antibiotics if there is any way we could help her at home. She eats very well and drinks fine. I feel at my wits end.


Any advice is welcome!

P.S. Forgot to mention that it was raining yesterday and she seemed rather cold outside. Perhaps that didn't do her weakened immune system any good. Ah!

 

[GraciesMom]

Hello Megts, is it possible that Kara might have a hooded or inverted vulva? This is a condition in which the vulva is tucked up into or encircled by skin. My Gracie has this particular issue. It can cause the dog to have frequent UTI's. Often this condition resolves after the first heat cycle or can be resolved with a simple surgical procedure. I assume your vet would have called this to your attention, but it can be more subtle in some dogs.

 

[Honeys Owners]

Sounds like she could be developing another UTI. Most important thing is to get her to drink a lot of fluid. You can try making a bone broth to encourage that. You might want to start her on probiotics and a d-mannose/cranberry supplement, but they aren't curative, just help prevent a future UTI.

 

[Mavis]

Good luck. Hope she is better soon.

 

[megts]

Thanks everyone!!
We managed to help her at home - gave her loads of water with broth, ramped up the cranberry supplement and probiotic and even gave her yoghurt with apple cider vinegar. She is loving life again.

Here is a picture of her and her best friend last night at the park, sitting for treats