Merlin's Uti Woes

[MerlinsMum]

I just got back from the vet and she confirmed that Merlin has a UTI. She put him on Clavamox for two weeks, he starts tonight. I'm hoping it won't make him vomit. I read somewhere that his stools might be a bit runny... I'm wondering how long it will take before I can stop taking him out every 1.5 hours to pee... I got no sleep last night because he had to go out all the time (we live in an apartment - on the 3rd floor), so I am exhausted right now, but of course it's nothing compared to what he's going through, peeing blood, poor baby.

 

Despite the lack of sleep and the stress, today was an amazing day. For the first time since we adopted Merlin nearly a year ago, Merlin snuggled up to me and napped on my bed with me, with his head right against my head. It was the most unbelievably tender moment I have ever experienced with him. Maybe it's just me being sentimental or reading things into his behavior, but sometimes I really get the feeling that dogs understand when they're being looked after and that nursing them, taking care of them, going the extra mile, all that stuff just somehow really deepens your bond with your dog. I love Merlin so much; it doesn't matter to me that he's not really a snuggly dog. I know he shows it in his own way. But when he did that - I didn't even open my eyes... I just lay there and smiled, drinking in the feeling, and as I felt his soft warm furry head against mine, I thought: Life is good.

 

 

Just thought I'd share.

[Burpdog]

It should start working in 24 hours

 

Do you have him on filtered water? Make sure he gets lots of water to drink. You want him flushing out his system. Give the clavamox with food.

[grey14me]

I've also heard that giving an acidophilis capsule with it can help as far as stomach issues...

 

but sometimes I really get the feeling that dogs understand when they're being looked after and that nursing them, taking care of them, going the extra mile, all that stuff just somehow really deepens your bond with your dog

 

I totally believe this!

[Guest 2Brindles]

Definitely give him either the acidophilus capsules OR plain yogurt to combat the big D. The flora will prevent his GI track from going haywire with the anitbiotics.

 

And I think that Merlin has developed a profound trust and love for you to snuggle like that

[Batmom]

How's he doing now? Better, I hope!

 

When Zema has had a bad one, she usually feels better within a few hours of getting first dose of meds.

 

All dogs are different, but: I haven't had tummy upsets with Clavamox (I do always give shortly after a meal or with a slice or two of bread). Have had some loose poop. I usually give half a metamucil wafer twice a day to help with that. Haven't had trouble with it causing ongoing loose poop, after meds are done.

[Guest ArtysPeople]

Here's hoping things are a bit better this morning for you and Merlin. I would have been completely freaking out if I saw my dog was peeing blood. Good for you for holding it together so well.

 

Despite the lack of sleep and the stress, today was an amazing day. For the first time since we adopted Merlin nearly a year ago, Merlin snuggled up to me and napped on my bed with me, with his head right against my head. It was the most unbelievably tender moment I have ever experienced with him. Maybe it's just me being sentimental or reading things into his behavior, but sometimes I really get the feeling that dogs understand when they're being looked after and that nursing them, taking care of them, going the extra mile, all that stuff just somehow really deepens your bond with your dog. I love Merlin so much; it doesn't matter to me that he's not really a snuggly dog. I know he shows it in his own way. But when he did that - I didn't even open my eyes... I just lay there and smiled, drinking in the feeling, and as I felt his soft warm furry head against mine, I thought: Life is good.

 

 

Just thought I'd share.

 

Thank you for sharing! I do think that animals can sense when they're being cared for, especially when they're not feeling well. I've read that for dogs, it's a really big deal to show any signs of weakness, since this can make them the target for attack by other pack members. So for a dog to have shown physical weakness and to be receiving care and love in return must be a pretty incredible thing for them. UTIs suck, but it sounds like the whole event has deepened your bond. Here's to finding every silver lining.

[MerlinsMum]

Thank you so much for your responses! I didn't know about the acidophilus capsules! I didn't know about that. I once gave him yoghurt but I bought water buffalo yoghurt by mistake (I'm vegan and don't eat dairy, so I wasn't really sure if it made a difference so picked the first one I saw) - er, yeahhhh - that didn't work too well, he got an upset tummy. Maybe plain yoghurt is better, I'll try that. However, so far he's been ok... he got his first dosage of Clavamox last night after dinner and when I took him out this morning he pooped normally. I was expecting all sorts of weird stuff, but no... I'll monitor the situation though... out of interest, can you just buy acedophilus capsules anywhere?

 

Also - Batmom, you mentioned Metamucil wafers to help with loose stool.. I'm confused, isn't Metamucil something people take to help with constipation?

I didn't have to take Merlin out as much last night - just once at 2am, DH took him down - and he slept soundly in his crate most of the night. I am back at work today, but I have decided to go let him out at 10am and then lunchtime as usual, just to break it up for him a bit more. Then tomorrow we'll go back to normal. Yesterday afternoon he was already showing less urgency in his need to go out and pee all the time - even before we started on the Clavamox. I think it may be due to the fact that I encouraged him to drink a lot and went out with him as much as he needed to the night before and yesterday morning - maybe that helped to start flushing things out a bit. He still peed some blood this morning though. It's early days...

 

What upset me is that everyone is telling me that my dog is a burden (because he has separation anxiety and he's anxious.... because we've been to the vet several times this year... etc) and my boss even said to me this morning, "Well I know one thing for sure - I won't ever be adopting a greyhound! They're so fragile and needy all the time!"... Of course I set the record straight, but I was SO put off. Just because Merlin has SA it doesn't mean that all greys have it. And from what I have heard, UTIs are quite common in dogs. But now people at work who know nothing of greyhounds are starting to think that greys are just "too much hassle". They have the right to think what they want, of course, but I find it rather offensive and it's certainly not true. Sometimes people can be so shallow. Sorry this turned into a rant, I'm just a bit upset. probably the lack of sleep making me emotional

[Guest 2Brindles]

You should be able to buy acidophilus capsules anywhere that vitamins are sold. Sorry that more people in r/l haven't been as supportive, but you know you can count on the folks here to give you advice and support Hugs to you, and scritches to Merlin

[Batmom]

Re metamucil: Yes, it's for human constipation, but it isn't a drug like ex-lax. It's just fiber so it can help firm things up. I don't give a lot. The wafers come two to a little envelope, and I give only half of one wafer twice a day. May not work for all, but usually helps us when we get loose poop from antibiotics.

 

Re people's impressions of greyhounds: Some people are just boobs, you know? Born to be ignored ......

[Guest whatahound]

Poor Guy,

 

I hope he is feeling better soon. The medicine will kick in quickly. My Nikki used to get UTI's about every 8 months. It's been 2 years now with no problems. The last thing I tried was filtered water and I give her cranberry relief for kvvet supply three days a week.

 

Give Merlin a gentle belly rub for me.

[Guest LittleGreys]

Munchie and I are sending good thoughts for Merlin...........we feel your pain on treating UTIs! Munchie was on Clavamox for nearly 3 weeks with no real issues, she did vomit once or twice, but she is on so many meds, I don't think it was the clavamox. She didn't have any diarrhea, either.

Hope he is feeling better soon!!

[MerlinsMum]

Thank you for all your responses. Thanks also for the support after my rant I feel much better now. And I don't care what other people think anyway. As Batmom said, some people should just be ignored.

 

LittleGreys, I have been reading your posts about Munchie, in fact that's the first thing I read on GT when I suspected a UTI a couple of days ago... Thanks for the input...hope she's better now...

 

Merlin says thanks for the belly rubs and scritches...

[Guest krisandzoo]

So that 24 hour mark is coming up. Maybe you and Merlin will get a little extra sleep tonight. I'm sure they do sense when we take extra care and he was showing his thanks. What a doll!

I hope he feels better soon!

[GeorgeofNE]

Hi!

 

George just finished a MONTH of Clavamox. It didn't make him sick at all--no "big D," no nothing!

 

I did give him plain yogurt, and I often give him canned pumpkin--he likes it, and that helps firm up the poo too, but since switching to Solid Gold, he really doesn't need it.

[Guest lizjaye]

Hoping more good news about Merlin.

 

There's no accounting for people. I think there is something magical about these dogs. Garth has been the same way with me as Merlin. It just shows that time is a healer.

 

I hope you have more good news about your beautiful boy. Sending positive thoughts,

 

Liz

 

P.S. I too gave Garth canned pumpkin for a long time once I got him. It really helped his digestion and his coat was so so beautiful. Now we are into sweet potatoes and he likes those better. I also give Garth about a 1/2 cup of plain yogurt every night and his poop has gotten noticeably better, plus he thinks the yogurt is a huge treat.

[MerlinsMum]

Thank you everyone... I really appreciate your support. I do use canned pumpkin, he gets a little spoonful with each meal. And he loves the stuff! Things seem to be better already, he doesn't seem to need to go out all the time anymore. He was very playful earlier, and I didn't see any blood when he peed at lunchtime... Right now, he's snoring on my bed, under a mountain of blankets. :wub: :D

[Guest CBDTherapyDogs]

I had to take one of my hounds to a specialist over his UTI's / prostititus. When male dogs get a UTI, they tend to also get prosititus... and if they get prostitus, they tend to also get a UTI. One causes the other in male dogs.

 

Now my boy gets a UTI/Prostititus EVERY SINGLE TIME a girl comes in season. He pee's blood, has to pee more, hurts him to hike his leg, etc... and I know the "cure" (neutering - which IS going to happen in the fall of this year)... but until then, I have to deal with it on a "temporary" basis... which is twice a year. As per the specialist, I keep him on Saw Palmetto all year round. It's good for the prostate, especially in male dogs. When his prostate flares up / he gets a UTI, he starts on concentrated cranberry tablets twice per day, Vit C twice per day, and Cipro 500 twice per day. In addition to this, I also add pyrrosia, which is also great for the prostate and helps the urinary tract, and a Vitamin B complex (helps fight the UTI and helps the kidneys).The Vit C and Cranberry keep the urine acidic, which the higher the acidity in the urine, the more it can kill the bad bacteria. As long as the urinary tract is inflamed/infected, its irritating the prostate, which causes it to flare up too. Also, with the antibiotics, its a good idea to start echenasia (sp?). Ten days on / ten days off / ten days on / ten days off. Acidopholis or live cultured yogurt helps keep the GOOD bacteria in the body where the antibiotics kill all the bacteria. Finally, HONEY!!!!!!! yes, HONEY!!!!!! Its a natural "antibiotic", antiseptic, and helps boost the immune system.

 

You might have to keep on the antibiotics for weeks at a time though. Don't be surprised. You'll want to be sure to do an urinalysis to make SURE its gone before stopping the antibiotics.

 

If the clavamox doesn't do it, ask about Ciprofloxacin. Its the same as Baytril, only cheaper. If you can get an Rx for it from your vet, you can get a 14 day supply of it for free at Publix, or $4.00 at Walmart / Sams. Don't be surprised, again, if this lasts for weeks.

 

[Guest ArtysPeople]

Thank you everyone... I really appreciate your support. I do use canned pumpkin, he gets a little spoonful with each meal. And he loves the stuff! Things seem to be better already, he doesn't seem to need to go out all the time anymore. He was very playful earlier, and I didn't see any blood when he peed at lunchtime... Right now, he's snoring on my bed, under a mountain of blankets. :wub: :D

 

Glad to here things are getting back to normal. Scritchies for Merlin.

[Guest krisandzoo]

I'm so glad to hear things are getting better!

[Guest lizjaye]

Wow you learn so much here. I never knew honey was a natural antiseptic. And, that it's safe to give dogs.

 

Thanks,

Edited January 17, 2008 by lizjaye

[Guest TBSFlame]

How's he doing now? Better, I hope!

 

When Zema has had a bad one, she usually feels better within a few hours of getting first dose of meds.

 

All dogs are different, but: I haven't had tummy upsets with Clavamox (I do always give shortly after a meal or with a slice or two of bread). Have had some loose poop. I usually give half a metamucil wafer twice a day to help with that. Haven't had trouble with it causing ongoing loose poop, after meds are done.

 

I have never had a problem with Clavamox but I do use yogurt with each meal.

[Guest mymainegreys]

I apologize in advance if I am repeating what others have said but I didn't have time to read through every responce.

 

ANYWAY, my husband and I live in Brunswick, ME and have 2 greys, our female Chelsea for 4 1/2 years and our male Herbie for 3 1/2yrs. We started having UTI issues with Herbie during his first winter with us. Apparently the male anatomy creates more problems with this than females?? We knew there was a problem when he was lying on his dog bed and just peed, didn't get up, nothing. We called one of the people from the Maine Greyhound Placement and they said that was fairly common, especially in inclement weather. The dogs don't want to to be out anymore than their humans do so they hurry up and cut it short, before they're completely empty.

 

Their suggestions were to give a cup of cranberry juice at each feeding and a chewable vitamin c. It has worked like a charm ever since. We do this regime for 2 or 3 days and he is completely cured everytime. We now know what to look for so we catch it early. (Symptoms were needing to pee every hour or having occassional accidents in the house.) We somtimes, as a preventative, would start this before there was going to be a rain or snow storm knowing he wouldn't be emptying himself because he just wanted back in the house. This obviously proved to be much cheaper than a vet visit but does need to be caught early. He never got to a point where he was peeing blood in which case, of course we would take him to the vet for antibiodics.

 

Good luck to you all!!!!

 

One more thing: obviously if he is having 2 extra cups of liquid he will need to pee more BUT it does clear the infection. It seems like it's not working at first but we notice a difference after one day.