Dog health question...

Dog health question... (Full Version)

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LadyConstanze -> Dog health question... (5/21/2011 6:28:34 AM)
About 6 weeks ago I adopted another Dobie, lovely boy, 2 year old castrated male, after a bit of initial growliness from the resident Dobie girl and "Sod that, I used to be an only dog and I am not sharing my cats with this new boy, nor my toys or my parents" they are now fast friends, but I noticed some yucky spots, not too big on the throws and on the dog bed where he sleeps, so I investigated and he's got a bit of a drippy penis. It was off to the vet, blood works and everything done, smear test and tissue sample, etc. Turns out it's an infection and he's on a 14 day course of antibiotics. So far that has cost roughly £400 which is pre insurance as the problem was obviously there, of course we could give him back but hell no, love the baby and he went through a bunch of homes already (abused as a puppy due to a lion jaw - wasn't pretty enough for the idiots who paid a fortune for him, he grew into his jaw as it just grows faster than the rest of the head as a pup, then people who had him and had no experience with a young and very very active Dobe (think canine energizer bunny - walk and play for 2 hours, then looks "Was that all, can I have a bit more exercise?") and figured too much hard work... Anyway, the vet said there is a possibility of a kidney stone or a bladder stone and they would like to do x-rays with contrast fluid (would be another few hundred plus several K for the surgery) to be sure, I suggested we wait out the course of the antibiotics as they might resolve the problem before I spend another small fortune. There's no question that I will pony up and pay for the x-rays and the surgery if he needs it, but thought I ask around first if somebody had a similar problem with a castrated dog and if there was anything else I can do to help him. He seems to have no discomfort peeing (and he can pee for England - never seen a dog stand on 3 legs for that long), so far I let him drink as much as he wants (always good with antibiotics anyway and if there is an urinary tract infection the more he pees the better), which makes me think a stone is not likely as it would give him some discomfort passing water (vet agrees with me there)...

AlwaysLisa -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 6:57:44 AM)
Morning, It could be something simple, such as deprivation of sufficient water at his last home, causing the bladder/kidneys to malfunction. Now, that he has ample liquid, they are unable to keep up. With time and access to constant water, they could correct. I would give the antibiotics a chance, in case it is just an infection, which could also be caused by lack of drinking water, to work. If he isn't in discomfort or having trouble relieving himself, sometimes the body can fix the problem once it is given proper hydration. Good luck!

LadyConstanze -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 7:03:56 AM)
I don't know, I mean the RSPCA had him for a while, I wouldn't think they deprived him of water... I was thinking that since he has a tendency (quite untypical for most Doberman dogs) to jump into anything that is wet (lakes, canals, rivers, streams, puddles... firlie walks around them with the face "Ewww don't want to get my tootsies wet") maybe he might have caught an infection this way? Because we were explicitly told unless we want a huge wet dog, we shouldn't let him off the lead near anything watery. The funny thing is, he loves swimming but being showered (very tepid water) is something that frightens the hell out of him, I have to climb in with him and calm him down, and he's still this gigantic shaking mess, while girlie stands outside and howls her head off...

pahunkboy -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 7:25:21 AM)
...it almost sounds like they did a shoddy neuter job.

LadyConstanze -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 7:42:12 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: pahunkboy ...it almost sounds like they did a shoddy neuter job. I don't think you get a drippy dick and a urinary tract infection from a shoddy neuter job, according to his papers he was neutered as a pup, so he would have shown problems much earlier, as he's 2 years now, and they only removed the testicles, it's clearly an infection, we had blood tests, smear test and urine sample (that was fun to get - not, got a few odd looks when I was walking around with the big yellow gloves and a petri dish, pouncing whenever he lifted his leg)

myotherself -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 7:51:14 AM)
my westie has had the same problem a couple of times. The first was when he was a teenage boy and the little fella kept popping out and dragging in the mud...an occupational hazard when you're a shortie! The second time he'd had a good walk through a wooded area and somehow got a seed stuck in his foreskin (or whatever the hell you call that bit the canine willy hides in!). Both times it was antibiotics and I had to wash round his bits with an antibacterial wash. As my vet says, 'sometimes it just happens', like unexplained cystitis in guys. The tests will hopefully sort it all out for you [:)]

LadyConstanze -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 7:54:07 AM)
Ahhh I will try the wash thing with antibacterial wash.... WEll the tests just showed that there is an infection... They don't know what and if I can avoid paying a few hundred for the x-rays and contrast fluid check (dog needs to be knocked out for that, also not too good for them) I'd love to. I mean shelling out another few hundred just to hear, oh well, was an infection caused by something else which we just didn't check or think about seems a bit exorbitant

myotherself -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 7:56:47 AM)
the vet gave me the stuff they use to clean the skin prior to operations. I had to dilute it a fair bit, but it helped clean things up. The things we do when we love our animals, lol [:D]

hausboy -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 8:09:23 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: myotherself the little fella kept popping out and dragging in the mud...an occupational hazard when you're a shortie! .... I have that problem all the time [:D] (sorry. couldn't resist)

soul2share -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 8:21:13 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: hausboy quote: ORIGINAL: myotherself the little fella kept popping out and dragging in the mud...an occupational hazard when you're a shortie! .... I have that problem all the time [:D] (sorry. couldn't resist) So, is it you that's short.....or YOU that's short? Either way........short is short! snort I couldn't resist either, sweets!

windchymes -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 8:25:27 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LadyConstanze Ahhh I will try the wash thing with antibacterial wash.... WEll the tests just showed that there is an infection... They don't know what and if I can avoid paying a few hundred for the x-rays and contrast fluid check (dog needs to be knocked out for that, also not too good for them) I'd love to. I mean shelling out another few hundred just to hear, oh well, was an infection caused by something else which we just didn't check or think about seems a bit exorbitant All they should have to do is do a "culture and sensitivity" on whatever is dripping out of his penis, as well as swabbing the inside. The lab can identify exactly what bacteria is causing the infection and the sensitivity report will tell them exactly what antibiotic(s) will kill the bacteria. A two-week (or whatever is recommended) course of antibiotics should clear him right up. I'm strongly suspecting they're just hearing the cash register ringing, trying to milk a few hundred more out of you. If he's peeing lots and the urine is clear or close to clear, and he has no fever (dogs normal temp is a few degrees higher than humans, btw), and is active and happy, he's probably fine. I would tell that vet's office that you want to take the conservative approach and keep an eye on him while he takes his antibiotics. If his urine gets very cloudy and foul-smelling, has blood in it and/or pus, then he probably still has the infection. Blood in the urine and his extreme discomfort would point to kidney or bladder stone that is trying to pass. As a side note, kidneys in both animals and humans can have stones that just sit there in the kidney and don't cause any problems unless they decide to move. My niece has had one for years the size of a large pea. It's still just sitting there, minding its own business. You know, back in the day, we doctored our animals simply, and they got better. Nowadays, they seem to need thousands of dollars or pounds worth of expensive lab testing, along with the guilt trip that if you don't do it, sorry, spend it, they will suffer dire consequences. I would stick to my guns and take the conservative approach. My money's on him doing just fine in his new loving home :) p.s. I worked as a veterinary tech for 2 years before becoming a people lab tech, so I learned a little bit :)

pahunkboy -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 8:57:11 AM)
...you had the dog 6 weeks and have already spent hundreds of $ on him. I would be complaining to the vendor for selling you a lemon.

LadyConstanze -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 9:31:24 AM)
Thank you!!! Actually they did the tests you mentioned, only it seems that some of the things tend to be resistant to antibiotics, the samples taken from the stuff that comes out and from the inside of the urethra took a few days to get back from the lab, same with the urine sample but the vet mentioned that it might be cancer and should they do a blood test too to make sure they can rule that out? So I panicked and said of course, then at the cehck out was hit with a bill for £300 and something. We got the result of the blood test roughly an hour later as they rushed it, no signs of cancer or kidney damage. Then last week they called and said they have the results and that she would like to do the x-rays and scans with contrast fluid to rule out a stone, but he has to go on a 2 week antibiotics treatment, after that another urine sample, so I said I would like to wait for that, the pills and the urine test cost roughly £90. Don't get me wrong, if it helps and there is a reason to do more, I'm more than willing to pay, but as you said, I can't shake the suspicion that they hear the cash register going, as they know I am extremely fond of my pets and whatever it takes I am willing to pay.

LadyConstanze -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 9:44:53 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: pahunkboy ...you had the dog 6 weeks and have already spent hundreds of $ on him. I would be complaining to the vendor for selling you a lemon. No, I spent hundreds of £ on him, and does the term "rescue" mean anything? And calling a dog a lemon is not exactly a sign of compassion for animals. Sure I could give him back to the RSPCA, but I am not one of the people who see animals as simply objects you can possess or get from a "vendor", I got him for an animal charity...

Charnegui -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 9:46:11 AM)
quote: I'm more than willing to pay, but as you said, I can't shake the suspicion that they hear the cash register going, as they know I am extremely fond of my pets and whatever it takes I am willing to pay. As do I..... but is an echo (like with pregnancy's) an option, it he has stones, in blatter of kidney, they'd show up. Then he does not have to go under and it won't cost you that much. I don't know where you are from, but I know Leishmaniosis and babesiosis are also common known in the U.S. as is Erlichia. I have spanish trashdogs, so for those illnesses I have specialized myself (having a pack of 7, does make you half a vet) But any advice, do the antibiotics and do if problem not solved in three months the same again. I will sent positive energy and thoughts for the little one (the candles are on day and night nowadays) [:)]

LadyConstanze -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 9:50:03 AM)
I'm in the UK, I'll raise the echo question... LOL, regarding the little one, he's more like a little horse... The vet was just puzzled because the treatment for it is usually castrating the dogs, since he's already been neutered she said it's very strange...

windchymes -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 9:51:53 AM)
That's why they do that "sensitivity" report I mentioned. The lab tests the bacteria that grew against a whole slew of antibiotics and the report tells them specifically which ones that bacteria is resistant to, and which ones will knock it right out. It's a very common test and course of diagnosis and treatment that any responsible 1st year med student would know how to follow. That test tells them ahead of time which antibiotics will not be effective, so if they're telling you that you need expensive tests for cancer and god knows what else because the bacteria "might" be resistant to the antibiotic, I'm afraid they're just peeing down your leg :) One thing to think about is that most of those "resistant" strains of bacteria came about by antibiotic abuse that was done by humans, not animals. That vet that jumped right to "cancer" to frighten you needs to be neutered, sheesh. Cancer in a 2-year-old dog would be extremely rare. LadyC, I would do exactly what you're doing and what I'm advising to my very own beloved pooch who is standing here beside me right now, gazing up at me adoringly, lol. I think you're doing exactly the right thing, and I think your vet is hoping you'll start mooing soon because he thinks he found another cash cow [;)]

LafayetteLady -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 10:01:33 AM)
LC, As Windchymes said, let the antibiotic takes its course. After the blood work they panicked you into do for 300, I wouldn't be jumping on anything else too quickly. Does he show any signs of discomfort at all beyond a little incontinence? If he doesn't, you already know he doesn't have cancer, and you shouldn't worry. I had a newfie mix a bunch of years back, and she developed hemocratic anemia. At the vet, they first explained there were two types, one that could be treated by antibiotics and the other which was fatal. This was a Friday night, and they tried to talk us into $500 worth of blood work that would not be back before Monday, and if my Bear had the fatal kind, she wouldn't survive the weekend. Still the vet gave us the stink eye when we said, give us the antibiotics and forget the blood work. If the antibiotic was going to work, we would see improvement in 24 hours, if not, she would be dead in 24 hours. Sadly, it was the latter. But I don't regret for one second not spending the 500 bucks on blood work to be told my beloved dog was going to die that would be received after the fact. On the other hand, I don't know if it happens with males, or with ones so young, but I had an older spayed female who developed incontinence. We took her to the vet and were told that sometimes after spaying, as they age, incontinence happens. She was put on hormones (7 bucks a month for the same shit that would cause human female over 100 by the way). Then she started bleeding as it put her into a form of heat (freaked us out more than the incontinence). Meds adjusted, all problems solved and she lived happily for another 7 years before we had to put her down at 17. Again, I don't know if such a thing can happen with males, but it might be worth looking into. Keep him out of dirty water and hope for the best otherwise. As for the showering and him getting upset...what about a bath? Perhaps that would be less upsetting.

LadyConstanze -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 10:33:12 AM)
I have the same problem with my 6 1/2 year old female Dobie, she's on hormones or else she wets herself in her sleep, but yes, also paid for all sorts of tests as it might have been a bladder problem.. Duh! In the end it was just the hormones... The boy shows no discomfort and is not even remotely incontinent, he drinks a lot and therefore pees a lot, he does so with great enthusiasm and apart from some smegma looking stuff coming out of his penis, there's nothing wrong with him (especially not with his appetite or activity)

Phoenixpower -> RE: Dog health question... (5/21/2011 10:42:09 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LadyConstanze but thought I ask around first if somebody had a similar problem with a castrated dog and if there was anything else I can do to help him. My apologies that my post isn't really helpful, but I thouht to throw in that I once had a cat who was bed wetting at times at night[&:] It happened on a few occations that mum or I woke up with the bedding being wet at our feet and he still lieing in there...sadly I lost that dude when he was just about 2 or 3 on cat HIV, but in his case at that time I simply assumed that this can happen as pets as well as it can happen with people, meaning that they also can develop wetting problems at night time...

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