I'm looking for answers from vets/nurses/homeopaths only?

Question

Sorry to be blunt in the title, but I have a desperate client who needs a solution quickly, and I don't have the time to shift through answers which just say 'i fink cranberrys good for bladder probs!!1!'

I 'm a vet nurse in a busy practice, and I have a client who owns a two year old FN SBT (pure bred I might add, and is not owned for all the wrong reasons)

The dog has had a severe bladder infection for over a year now. She has visited a specialist, who discovered that part of the problem was due to how she was spayed. From a sneaky peek at the specialists report, I saw that it was something along the lines of the uterine stump was stuck to something it shouldn't be. I couldn't find out much more, as I was told 'You shouldn't be looking at that, it doesn't concern you..' I digress.

After the specialist visit, the dog was put on a cocktail of AB's, clomicalm, Diazapam, Cystease, and cranberry capsules, totalling over 30 tablets a day, over three doses of each except Diaz).

The Diaz and Clomicalm was prescribed, as the dog gets pretty distressed, especially at night time. She often squats, trying to pee, and although she can know pee freely, it seems to be habitual. She lives alone with her male owner, who gets quite distresses himself when she can't settle at nightime.

He brought her in two days ago to us, in floods of tears, and told us he couldn't cope with her. The course of AB's etc was for eight weeks. We're on week 6, and he's had enough. The little dog hates being pilled, and has been affected by the Diaz and Clomicalm ie' is far more nervy and clingy.

Her owner has AIDS, and has his own personal battles with ill health. He has no-one else in the world, apart from this sweet dog.

We've agreed to have the dog stay with us until her meds are finished, to give them both a break, which seems to be slowly working.

I'm looking for ideas on how to keep the dog's bladder comfortable, how to settle her anxiety....

prefereably no POMs as my boss probably wouldn't agree, maybe homeopathy, Bach flower remedies, or anything else.

The owner is going to start using a crate at night, and install a DAP diffuser on my advice when the dog goes home.

I'll try and add more details as I get answers.

Thanks in advance.

Ex lap has already been performed from what I gather - acupuncture sounds like an idea, any cases with success stories? Stones have been ruled out, as has any major internal probs that could cause the infection to return, The main issue is the dogs anxiety. Thanks for all answers so far, getting some good ideas.

Answer 1

Has Proin been tried along with the AB's? Cranberry capsules are a good idea. How about vit C?
Exploratory surgery to help find & correct the problem is a very good option as well.
These are things we've done with sucess.

Answer 2

I am a people nurse and know very little about the internal goings on of animals, but this really doesn't sound all that difficult to understand. I could be wrong but here goes.....

This sounds like a structural issue as evidenced by your statement that the 'uterine stump was stuck to something'. So, even if the dog comes through this round of antibiotic therapy, the problem will most likely be a recurring one. What you need to find out, is this: Is there a surgical procedure to fix the problem once and for all, or is the dog destined to face this as a recurring issue for life?
Apparently, the urine is not flowing regularly and is backing up and pooling which causes infections. Sediment can also build up and start calcifying which will cause stones.
Tell the owner to ask someone if there is a surgical procedure that can be performed that will help this dog.

The constant 'urgency' to pee is caused by the pressure and bladder cramping that accompanies bladder infections. Same thing happens with people. You go to the bathroom, yet not much comes out, you just CONSTANTLY feel like you have to pee.

If money is an issue, find some charity that will assist in the costly surgical consults/procedures. Focus on charities that deal with helping the handicapped find assist dogs. This dog is critical for this patient because he has AIDS and needs this as a companion dog. Be assertive and proactive in assisting this gentelman with his needs.

Answer 3

i imagine "stronger" is contained in the interest of the beholder. I heartily connect the concept it should not be fixed if it ain't broke. i assume my perception that it ain't broke differs from Yahoo's perception so as it really is why the change. i'm no longer liking this teeny tiny print as i'm typing in my answser. It change into more suitable and a lot less annoying to ascertain. The pop-united statescontained in the margin with directives like, "Oops! you've a misspelling!" are fairly stressful. it really is like having someone status over my shoulder even as I variety. ( sigh ) change is in no way uncomplicated.

Answer 4

I would agree that an exploratory laparotomy by a good surgeon would be indicated to see if there is some problem with the ureters and/or bladder. Other than that it sounds like you've run the gammet on urinary drugs/treatments to relieve her anxiety about this problem. ?Acupuncture?

Answer 5

My kitten had a horrible bladder infection & needed special urinary food. I brought some cranberry tablets from a health food shop & this really helped him. The adult dosage was 1 tablet 3 time a day, I would give him 1/2 a tablet in the morning. He was also having 2 drops of metacam twice a day but doesn't need it know, only when he has a relapse.
He has no problems with his bladder with this routine.

Answer 6

An exploratory by a urologist is a must. If a UTI has been going on for a year it may be causing the problem passing urine as well as a structural problem.

Answer 7

it sounds as though they will need a referal to a urologist at one of the vet schools. possibly as the animal is a pedigree to also look into the insurance details for a possible legal action regarding incompetant surgery.

Answer 8

Sounds like surgery would be the only fix . Unfortunately,it would be quite invasive.

Answer 9

what is your question exactly?

add- i would ditch the diazepam and clomicalm and maybe try amitriptyline for bladder spasms. valium can make animals edgy and nervous.

for anxiety you could try bach flower essences of: red chestnut, rock water, and sweet pea