Pelican Parts Forums - The DOG thread

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We visited the vet this morning. I left Winkipop in the truck while I walked up to the front door to let them know we were here.

OMG.....Winkipop wasn't having ANY of Daddy leaving her behind....even for just those few minutes...lol!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1614302704.JPG

On the trip over.......she LOVES going for rides in Daddy's truck!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1614302704.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1614302704.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1614302704.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1614302704.JPG

Gromit as a young boy with his older "sister" Molly. Scanned from a color print.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Pets/Dogs...0Molly1000.jpg

Zora, currently 6 years old.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1618275768.jpg

Handoff on day one from a friend of the breeder, who recommended the breeder. She wanted to keep her an extra day to give her a bath- I said no. I was anxious to get her. When she handed her over, she said "Bouncy." That's the single best one word descriptor I think. I ask other owners and they have the same experience. A very joyful dog. I wanted one that would be mellow and gentle with my little dogs, and she was picked out. I think what comes with that is a very sensitive dog. I yelled at her once and she was crapped out for an hour, so I never got mad at her again.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1618276540.jpg

Beautiful dog, Steve!

Winkipop turns 16 in May.

She just had her blood tested and the results came back good, according to the vet.

So while I was there I mentioned to one of the vet techs that she had been peeing more often......and letting it go inside, if I didn't let her out often enough.

She's never done this before.

The vet tech just answered: "It's just old age."

I asked her if there was some other explanation. I said "She's never had this issue before and now all of a sudden it's happening - a lot. Almost like some kind of reaction to something."

Her reply: "Naw...just old age."

OK.....I let it go but the little voice in my head was still thinking it was something else.

I've also noticed a very tiny spot of blood in her pee. Very tiny. But noticeable.

So tonight I Googled "blood in dog urine" and guess what? Quite a few possibilities but most concern a possible urinary infection - treatable with antibiotics. Get the urine tested by your vet.

I have some leftover Cephalaexin, so gave her one of those tonight.

Then i googled antibiotics and some products came up on Amazon. I took a look and this one seemed very popular:
PetHonesty Cranberry for Dogs - Bladder Support - Dog UTI Treatment Food - Bladder Infection Relief Urinary Tract Health UT Incontinence, Immune System D Mannose

So I ordered it, especially based on the "4.6 out of 5 stars" 3,128 ratings.

But here's the kicker. Here's one review:

Quote:

as stated Our older rescued mixed Shepard retriever is not overweight but is slowing down at 15+ years she had a leaking issue as she moved about the kitchen and den.
Within one week 3 tabs daily she stopped . She gets it ever morning along with a joint tab, no Vet Meds or Rx additional.
Dog loves the taste, texture is easy to give and she actually expects it every morning at the same time...

With emphasis on "leaking issue". There are other reviewers saying the same thing (leaking issue resolved).

So my question is...why didn't the vet tech say - "It could be a urinary infection - let's get her urine analyzed. It could just be a matter of administering an antibiotic."

Instead she says "It's just old age."

I'm a little pissed. I expect better. Even though she's just a tech, I've known her the entire lifetime of Winkipop - 15 years - that she's been at that office. You'd think she'd know a little bit more. Especially after i replied that this just starting happening out of the blue. Versus starting off slow and then becoming more predominate.

I've always felt we are our own best advocates when it comes to anything - including health care. But once in a while it helps to have a little outside help.

As always - do your homework. Google is your friend.

We'll see what happens. That Amazon product gets here on Friday. Until then she'll get these Cephalexins. If that doesn't work I'll contact the vet again.

Baz did you mention the blood in the urine to the vet or vet tech ? To me that is a clue that may indicate it's more than just getting old . Or maybe not but I would have thought the vet would have at least suggested closer monitoring/tests . If you try the Amazon drugs and you see results provide that info to your vet . Ultimately we all want what's best for our pets , you are being responsible by doing some research on your own .

When I have an interaction like you had I try to give the person another chance , anyone can have an off moment . Maybe the vet tech just was involved with putting down someone's beloved pet . Or maybe just wasn't thinking with the reply . Or maybe they don't care . One interaction is not enough data to make a conclusion . If that conversation continues to bother you have a chat with the vet . Good luck with your dog ......... an extra treat wouldn't hurt 😁

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc (Post 11297587)

Thanks for your comments and yes, I agree, Rick.

Did not mention the blood at that time because I hadn't noticed it until yesterday.

It's OK I was just venting.

Will post again with an update when I know more.

For now she's doing well.

Thanks again. She enjoyed the extra treat! SmileWavy

Here’s Finny (Lower left hand corner) with his friends at “school”.
He goes every Tuesday and has a ball.
Fortunately, they also have boarding.

Happiest dog ever.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1618592302.jpg

Bunch of smart ones there, Nutmeg......

Sherlock is almost 16. He's slowing down a bit, and has a bad back. I think he's mostly blind in his right eye but seems to see OK with his left. I don't think he hears as well as he did. But he can still run and play at times. If it was up to him, the three of us would never be separated by more than a few feet, and there's always be someplace soft to lay, preferrably between my wife and I.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1618599966.JPG

Sherlock looks like a sweet dog, Steve.
Baz - they are ridiculously smart.
My wife has been doing a lot of obedience classes with Finny.
He tested out of about three levels in his BW evening.

He’s a certified trick dog now.

Maggie, hanging out with me this afternoon. Nice weather this week in the PNW.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1618636536.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by dar636 (Post 11300016)

Maggie, hanging out with me this afternoon. Nice weather this week in the PNW.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1618636536.jpg

Looks like Maggie's enjoying a cold beverage too! :)

What a good lookin' girl!

Speaking of smart...Bosco likes to roll in anything he can find that’s nasty...in this case sloppy poop.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1618667283.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz (Post 11298545)

Another update on the vet saga........

Winkipop is doing better - I think mostly because of the Cephalexin I had leftover from 2017 I have been giving her but maybe also the Cranberry supplements over the past 4 days.

I haven't noticed any blood in her pee pee for 2 days now.

So I drop by the vets to pick up the results of her blood test, which the vet insisted on doing before re-writing her meds for her mobility issue.....and while I was there I told the vet tech - the one that said her leaking was just because she was old - that I did some research and came to the conclusion she had a UTI and was giving her these Cephalexin, and the Cranberry supplements, and it seemed to be working. But I was down to my last Cephalexan, and do you think the vet would extend me the courtesy of providing a few more just to make sure we've got it knocked out?"

She said she agreed it made sense and she would ask the vet and call me later.

Well I just got home and her message was the vet would need to see her again and get a urinalysis before he could prescribe or offer any anti-biotics.

Now, she's had the Cephalexin before - without issue. Heck I've given her 8 capsules just over the past 4 days. And she was taking them back in2017 - without issue.

All I wanted is just a handful to make sure we keep the infection knocked out.

Then she says (and this is the kicker) they are booked up until sometime in May.

In other words......we're on our own.

Eff him and eff them........as I said before.....all we need once in a while is a little assistance.

Not all vets are like this. Not all offices are like this.

Hopefully this last Cephalexin will help along with the supplements.

She got a nice bath this morning! :p