Got a call back from the vet. She wants to put him on Cephalexin. They noted there was blood in the urine and some crystals but nothing too significant.
I'll be picking that up today when I leave the office and have him started on it right away. I really hope this helps him but I'm glad I made the decision to do this today instead of Monday.
The last thing I want to deal with is him being in more pain and/or having a lot of accidents.
Well he's on the antibiotics now. One of the techs at the clinic mentioned that the urine was quite "nasty". I suppose this was a more severe infection compared to last time. I really hope these antibiotics clear it up. I can tell today that he's a bit lethargic and unhappy. 
I did add some water to his food for his dinner. He was a bit confused at first but he ate everything and drank all of the water. I am really glad I got the meds today, I can't imagine waiting until Monday. This is certainly a good reminder to pay attention to any abnormal behavior (besides the usual Basenji oddness).
Well he's on the antibiotics now. One of the techs at the clinic mentioned that the urine was quite "nasty". I suppose this was a more severe infection compared to last time. I really hope these antibiotics clear it up. I can tell today that he's a bit lethargic and unhappy.
I did add some water to his food for his dinner. He was a bit confused at first but he ate everything and drank all of the water. I am really glad I got the meds today, I can't imagine waiting until Monday. This is certainly a good reminder to pay attention to any abnormal behavior (besides the usual Basenji oddness).
Now antibiotics kill good bacteria too so you'll want to replace that in his system. I have Buddy on antibiotics for a yeast infection and at night before bed I give him 1 cap of acidophilus with a small ball of wet food to hide it in. Ideally it's taken 3-4 hours after the dog has eaten so the bacteria is not killed off by stomach acid. This will help battle off UTI too. I take the acidophilus as well and buy it at the health food store in the refrigerated section.
Now antibiotics kill good bacteria too so you'll want to replace that in his system. I have Buddy on antibiotics for a yeast infection and at night before bed I give him 1 cap of acidophilus with a small ball of wet food to hide it in. Ideally it's taken 3-4 hours after the dog has eaten so the bacteria is not killed off by stomach acid. This will help battle off UTI too. I take the acidophilus as well and buy it at the health food store in the refrigerated section.
Thanks, I'll look into that this weekend. No shopping till then with this 12"+ of snow we're getting pounded with currently. :o
I didn't feel so bad about spending more money at the vet after what they told me the woman walking out had just spent. "$8,000+ over the last 7-8 months, and it's only a puppy". Sounds like they got reimbursed a few thousand from the breeder because part of the battle was due to parvo. Amazing what some owners go through. :eek:
Valerian Root extract has a mild antibiotic effect, but I don't know whether it is safe for dogs. I used it for my own UTI a few years ago and it worked like a charm, but it is quite bitter. You might be able to hide a drop or two in his water for prevention, but please check on safety first.
When he pees though he'll stand there for a long time and I'm thinking where does all that water come from?!
Does Buddy drink from the freshest and best smelling water in the house….the toilet? 
I know AJ does, every chance he gets when we're in a hotel room...like I don't put fresh water down for him. I have to keep the lid down or the door closed.
As far as the Fanconi DNA test, it is a cheek swab, no need for a Vet?… just order on the OFA site.
Hope that your baby boy feels better soon.... and good that you decided to get a sample in sooner rather then later... and I agree... abnormal behavoir is something to pay attention to with our fur housemates....
As far as the Fanconi DNA test, it is a cheek swab, no need for a Vet?… just order on the OFA site.
Hope that your baby boy feels better soon.... and good that you decided to get a sample in sooner rather then later... and I agree... abnormal behavoir is something to pay attention to with our fur housemates....
Yea, I know the cheek swab exists and could do it myself, but I figured I'd run everything through my vet since they've done a great job thus far. It helps that they are on the same page with any results that come through. The idea was to do initiate a DNA sample when he's in for a routine visit sometime next year. They are very familiar with Fanconi, I feel more comfortable with them handling any testing and results. It's just a personal preference.
But they are not doing blood testing for DNA for Fanconi, so I am not sure what your Vet can do for the process? Any blood sent would not be used for Fanconi DNA, but for possible future health testing.
@AJs:
Valerian Root extract has a mild antibiotic effect, but I don't know whether it is safe for dogs. I used it for my own UTI a few years ago and it worked like a charm, but it is quite bitter. You might be able to hide a drop or two in his water for prevention, but please check on safety first.
Does Buddy drink from the freshest and best smelling water in the house….the toilet?
No toilet water drinking. The only time he'll drink water is out on a hike or at the dog park in the summer.
Mine all drink like camels, fortunately. I think that flushing the kidneys helps keep them cleared out, and like people, those dogs that don't drink much wind up with concentrated urine and more likely to have stones, etc. Cranberry juice helps a bit, I know some people give their dogs cranberry in pill form and feels that helps with kidney and bladder health. Perhaps Kanagas infection never really cleared up and he needs longer, or different antibiotics to really clear it out!
Good thing you are so sensitive to his needs and got him seen before the weekend!
He seems to be improving, although he has had an accident now 48 hrs on the meds. My thoughts are that it simply went from severe to mild because his urine flow has much improved, thus allowing for accidents to happen. I have a feeling after another day or so and he should be a lot better.
It also doesn't help that I'm adding water in his food (in regards to bladder control). A lot more water through his system now.
But yes I know, it does help to have more water going through him while he's battling the UTI.
Cranberry's are good for helping with UTI's….. I have used Cranberry pills for years....
Cranberry's are good for helping with UTI's….. I have used Cranberry pills for years....
Are there canine specific cranberry extracts?
Seems odd that now he has been having accidents since starting the antibiotics on Wednesday. He's had one accident yesterday and today. Although the one this morning was very minor, almost like he cut himself off right away. When I took him out right after, his urine seemed much more clear so perhaps there is improvement. He had been outside probably 3 hours before the accident. I'm guessing the additional water in his diet and the meds are making him go more frequently.
I just use human cranberry pills.
