bladder infections

[Jane Austen]

Duchess has to go to the vet tomorrow for the dragging her bottom issue. But today I noticed her drinking more than the usual amount of water. Could be she has another bladder infection. She had one last year. I will ask the vet this question, but does anyone have ideas of how to prevent future bladder infections?

[Michael Romanos]

Poor Duchess. I haven't the time right now, but I have discovered a great source of information from world authorities (and no disinformation in sight on this site) and will let you know tomorrow - but I suppose you'll find out from your vet anyway. At least you now know the tell tale symptoms. So much for experience, eh.

[glencorgi]

Jane,

Ask the vet about giving her cranberry capsules. These can be sprinkled over her food or hidden under a dollop of plain yogurt.

Debbie

[Jane Austen]

Duchess tested positive for Lyme Disease, so she is on an antibiotic to treat that. She was positive last year but negative in January. This is confusing but she is not showing signs and just to be sure she is started on the medication and will have blood work again in a month.
The issue with her annul glands: she didn't have much in there, but the vet did feel a constiction in doing an internal annul exam. Her tail bone is apparrantly causing a mild blocking. A fecal sample is to be taken to be tested for worms.
So along with the antibiotics and the Heartgard, exam and all came to $320. I opted to be safe than sorry by agreeing to the blood test which was the most of the expense.
Thanks Debbie:
I will ask the vet about the cranberry capsules. Is there other kinds of cranberry sources that I could use, like dried fruit?

[Fluffypants]

Poor Duchess!!!! I hope that she (and your wallet!) recovers soon!

[Jespah]

Hi Jane, sorry to hear about Duchess.

As to the cranberry issue, we have a friend who's Labrador had chronic bladder infections for her first two years. She was given cranberry juice either staright or diluted with water daily. Blueberry juice, is also effective. The dog grew out of the infections stage and is fine now.

[glencorgi]

Oh Jane, so sorry to hear about the Lyme diagnosis. That can be a tricky wicket and bad one for our dogs. Glad they caught it and have begun treatment as soon as possible. Anal glands can be a problem for some dogs. You might want to ask about or begin using canned pumpkin (about a TBS a day) in her food. While it won't help with the constriction, it will help with consistency and help move things out. Ask and see if the extra fiber might help. As for the dried cranberries, don't see why not, just sprinkle some on her food, blueberries too. Blueberries are often an ingredient in many quality foods these days.

Debbie

[Chip's Mom]

So sorry Jane - hopefully Duchess will be on the mend soon.

[ZdogZ]

I hope Duchess gets better real soon! Poor baby!

[darci]

Jane,
I am sorry to hear Duchess is having a rough time.
Will keep you guys in our thoughts and prayers.

As for the cranberries, mine eat the capsules without any trickery, they think its a great treat. They get one a day.
Their food also has cranberry and blueberry in it.

I also give bottled water I rotate with distilled. I tested my tap water the ph was 9, bottled water that I use is more neutral at 5.

adding water to kibble or giving raw or canned is a good idea for bladder prone pups. They can always use the extra moisture especially if they are prone to cyrstals.
Now that I have rambled on I dont think you said she had a bladder problem, if she did let me know and I can go into more detail about which dry foods are best based on their ash content.

As for lymes disease I dont know much about it, havent researched that one, what is the treatment protocol ????

[Jane Austen]

The vets call Duchess a drama queen because she whines and moans so much during her exams. But I imagine that anal exam really was uncomfortable.
She is not showing any signs of sickness. Just the occasional dragging of her butt. I got the fecal sample which showed whip worm. That may have been the problem right there.
Not to worry, Duchess seems fine.

[Michael Romanos]

Jane- so glad that Duchess's ailments can be treated vis Lymes and whipworm. I feel you got the Lymes diagnosed early which is great and a fairly quick and successful response th treatment should result. The whipworms are easily treatable. It is queer why the all purpose worm tablets you must have been giving her regularly, let her down.

[Jane Austen]

"It is queer why the all purpose worm tablets you must have been giving her regularly, let her down" Michaels comment.

I have never given Duchess regular worm tablets. Is that something I ought to be doing?

[Michael Romanos]

Now we know just why Duchess got an infestation of whipworms.

New Zealand would be the most disease-free country in the world for dogs. Lymes Disease does not exist here, thankfully, and neither does a bunch of other nasties and if they do occur, they are not as rampant as they are in most other places. But good dog owners here give their dogs all-purpose worm tablets about one and a half tablets (for Corgis) every three to four months. Taylor was due for his a few days ago. The tablets here take care of four types of worms most effectively - including whipworm.

I am certain Americans also administer worm tablets to their adult dogs on a regular basis. All puppies are born with some aspects of worms (roundworms) and puppies need worming very early in the piece for roundworms and hookworms. The worm tablets I give Taylor are international - they are called Drontal Allwormers and they control roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms. I find it very strange that your vet didn't query this aspect when he/she discovered Duchess had a worm problem.

THis post reminds me that Taylor is also overdue for his Frontline Plus that he also gets every four months. In NZ, Frontline takes well care of ticks and fleas but I believe that some types of ticks are much harder to dispell in the USA.

[Jane Austen]

Thanks Michael, Duchess is on a three day treatment for whip worm.
I have started Duchess on Heartgard which takes care of some worms but not the whip worm. On the package of Heartgard I found a website to remind you of the date to administer the chewables once a month. The website is Heartgard.com which takes you to the Merial site.