Bacterial/Yeast/Fungal Infection Led To UTI In Canine
by Kathy
(Ohio,USA)
Reader Question: UTI Problems In Canine
My dog mixed breed female 74 lb had begun to bite her tail, lick her genitals profusely, awhile after she was spayed, in 2009. I took her to the vet, blood test, xrays, urinalysis IDEXX UA STRIPES.s Hydromorphone inj 4 mg. Domitor/hydromorphone injections, for biting her tail. Licking her genitals profusely in 2009, I was told she was ok. she was also wormed and given drontal. Cbc/chem/elec nothing abnormal. Radiographs revealed nothing. Including kidney stones, etc. we would have liked to test her urine for UTI but floor was mopped up after she peed from fear.
2010. My dog cut her tail. I took her to the vet. I V catheter laceration Grade I Propoflo Injection Per cc. her tail was stitches and healed. She was still licking her genital area a lot and since I had taken her, I just assumed she was grooming or some flea etc, I even wondered if she had a pinched nerve.
2012 I took my dog to the vet; she was licking her genitals a lot, sometimes biting her tail and slumping forward often. A urine sample showed she had a bacterial infection. She was put on clavamox 2= 500 mg, 2 x daily, for 7 days. at the end of this prescription, a urine sample I took showed her infection was worse with a rise in Leucite ,she was put on another prescription of clavamox 2 -500 mg. two times daily for a week. The vet told me if I see blood in her urine at any time, to call him.
I took a urine sample to the vet after two prescriptions of clavomox was completed., the sample had been out in the lab 1 hour before the vet arrived, He said to bring the dog back and he would do a needle stick on her bladder. , thus she was sedated with 2cc hydromorphone inj and the needle stick was unsuccessful. The cost 143.00 the had me and a vet tech walked the dog trying to get another urine sample as was not successful. He said he would send the culture I bought in early in the morning off to the lab in order to get a name for the bacteria and the type of medicine that treats it the best, this test would take between a week and 10 days. He then places her on 10 day SMZ 960 tablets. 1/2 moring-1/2 pill evening for 10 days.
I took her back today and he said the urine sample that was sent to a lab showed yeast fungal. He has put her on Ketoconazole tab for 14 days. 200 mg, 1 morning- 1 evening. He said at the end of this 14 day prescription, he will test the urine again, a mid stream sample, then after the prescription is completely finished sedate the dog for another needle stick bladder test. He may also want to run an ultrasound test. I am concerned that my dog is on too much medicine and
The dog is eating, running, she doesn’t pee or drink much. She is 76 lbs. I love this dog very much age 4, she is my constant companion. That is why I read up on her meds, saw this blog and decided to write, I am like a mother with a sick child. I want to know she is healed completely and I am doing all the right things for her. Thank you very much.
I went to the vet today and he placed my dog on Ketoconazole 200mg twice a day, for 14 days. He said I can bring in a mid stream urine infection this week. But also after the prescription of Ketoconazole is finished, he would like to sedate the dog and do another bladder stick test, to see if the dogs Bacterial/fungal Uti is cleared up. Also at the end of this, if she is not better then he would like to do a bladder ultrasound.
I worry 4 prescriptions of med is hard on my dog, may upset her immune system. Etc. Also being sedated twice. Is all this normal procedure for a bladder infection? I want the best for this dog but it's dragging out and I worry. I love her very much; she is so dear to me. My constant friend and companion.
Sincerely Kathy
Veterinarian Answers Reader Question Regarding UTI Problems In Her Dog
Hi Kathy,
It sure sounds like you and your dog have been through a lot together lately! She’s lucky to have you by her side through all of this.
The scenario you describe is not too out of the ordinary for a dog that potentially has had chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections, although it is surely on the more complicated end of the spectrum. One thing you mentioned concerns me a bit. You said that the urine culture was run on a sample that was not taken via needle and syringe (cystocentesis) from her bladder. It is possible the yeast that grew actually came from her lower urinary tract (e.g., her vulva) rather than from her bladder or kidneys. You certainly want to know where the problem is located because determining which treatment holds the best chance of success depends on this information.
If your dog were my patient I would want to sedate her again (sorry!) to perform a thorough vaginal exam looking for a reason for her licking and possible yeast infection in this area. At the same time, I’d also get a urine sample via cystocentesis and run a urinalysis and culture/sensitivity on the sample.
If you are not happy with the care your dog is currently receiving, a second opinion at another veterinary clinic may help put your mind to rest. Bring copies of all your dog’s previous lab work with you to limit the number of tests that would need to be repeated.
Good luck,
Jennifer Coates, DVM
