patrick.net

1) You can call the local animal control.

2) Not veterinary advice, but do dogs drink cranberry juice?

Peter P says

1) You can call the local animal control.

Is that the best way? And are they 24hrs usually?

Peter P says

2) Not veterinary advice, but do dogs drink cranberry juice?

I think there are cran-tabs you can give them.

http://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/jcoates/2013/nov/how-cranberry-can-be-used-to-prevent-urinary-infections-dogs-31002

I see articles too that dismiss their efficacy, even among humans. Could it be an old "significant other's" tale?

Thanks!

CL says

I see articles too that dismiss their efficacy, even among humans. Could it be an old "significant other's" tale?

Don't discount the placebo effect.

Peter P says

CL says

I see articles too that dismiss their efficacy, even among humans. Could it be an old "significant other's" tale?

Don't discount the placebo effect.

Ya think I should trick my dog into thinking it's real medicine? :)

CL says

What would you do under that circumstance? Switch vets? Go to a specialist? Is there such a thing? She "seems" fine but does the obligatory "sit and spin", so I know she's itchy. We are confident it's not her anal glands or anything, since we just had those checked.

Thoughts?

If the UTI comes back take her to another vet.
I have medical insurance for my dog. What do you guys think? Worth it?

Strategist says

If the UTI comes back take her to another vet.

It probably is back. I think I might.

Strategist says

I have medical insurance for my dog. What do you guys think? Worth it?

I'm curious about your results. Has it saved you money? Have your pets needed surgery?

1) The 24/7 "911 type service" would be either 911 or 311.

2) Switch vets. What makes you believe the UTI and the sit&spin are even related? There was a myth about urine being supposedly sterile, but it was never true, and humans tend to have harmless UTIs. Even if the behavior started because of an itchy infection, the habit might continue after the infection cleared, and sandy soil might cause a self-reinforcing cycle of itchy irritation. You might try changing the dog's diet and increasing exercise: maybe jog instead of walking, so there won't be time to sit&spin; perhaps the dog might drink more water if you grind some dry food into it. Read widely on the interwebs and watch some videos on YouTube, you might find better (and worse) ideas there.

CL says

1) What would you do if you found a living, but mortally wounded dog (say a hit and run) in the street?

Obligatory:

curious2 says

1) The 24/7 "911 type service" would be either 911 or 311

I wouldn't think 911 would consider a animal emergency a real emergency. From experience, I had a stray running around in my 'hood. When I called that in, I even presented it as a safety hazard, since the dog was running around a busy street. They didn't treat it as urgent, that's for sure. Have you had any prior experience with that via 911?

curious2 says

What makes you believe the UTI and the sit&spin are even related?

She seems to stop that behavior when the antibiotics have run their course, only to start up again sometime later. She gets darker in her vulvar parts when she is irritated (although I agree, it could be the symptom as opposed to the cause. She basically has figured out how to slide down a dog ramp we built for her when she itches. Cute as hell, but distressing to think she may be in discomfort). Post-treatment, the vet has remarked that her vulva is no longer dark and that that is a good sign.

She does the s&s when she's at home. But often when she has just awakened, which kind of made me think bladder/uti stuff. I like the idea of mixing her diet differently, as well as exercise more. We've done that a bit but maybe I can take it to the next level.

Can you tell me more about the sandy soil idea? My wife swears the dog gets it because she kicks like a boy when she's done urinating. The vet dismissed that though, but it would be curious if the wife were right after all!

Thanks!

CL says

Have you had any prior experience with that via 911?

No, but Oakland PD are notorious for immediately putting dogs out of their misery - even healthy dogs in their own backyards. You might also call the DEA if you think they might mistake the dog for a mule, but make sure you're far away by the time they arrive. Florida has people who respond to alligators and crocodiles, there must be something for dogs.

CL says

Can you tell me more about the sandy soil idea?

Umm, there isn't much more to tell: if you get sand into places where it doesn't belong, it can cause itchy irritation, either directly or by making the irritated tissue more vulnerable to infection (e.g., bacterial or fungal).

curious2 says

Umm, there isn't much more to tell: if you get sand into places where it doesn't belong, it can cause itchy irritation, either directly or by making the irritated tissue more vulnerable to infection (e.g., bacterial or fungal).

Great point. Thanks!

Call it Crazy says

How is her water intake? Is she drinking enough water?

Water intake seems quite good. We mix in a dog food that has higher sodium to prevent stones, since they are prone to them. It has the benefit of making them drink more fluids. But those types of dog foods seem to have their own issues. Might be the first thing I cut out. I seem to recall suspecting allergies when I first added it (per the vet). Maybe I'll start there.

Thanks!

CL says

1) What would you do if you found a living, but mortally wounded dog (say a hit and run) in the street?

Call the roadkill pickup service of your city. They will recycle the animal to transform it into dog food or protein cattle feed.

CL says

Strategist says

If the UTI comes back take her to another vet.

It probably is back. I think I might.

Strategist says

I have medical insurance for my dog. What do you guys think? Worth it?

I'm curious about your results. Has it saved you money? Have your pets needed surgery?

I just renewed her policy with VPI, for the 3rd year. $340.00 with $500 deductible. Only time she has been to the vet is for her annual vaccines. No surgeries besides the spading. So far she has shown to be a healthy dog. (knock on wood) We feed her healthy, hiking everyday, regular grooming, flea treatment. Treat her to McDonalds and Yoghurt Land, and lots of love. We refer to her as our third born.

Call it Crazy says

Strategist says

Only time she has been to the vet is for her annual vaccines. No surgeries besides the spading.

So, do you think that insurance is a good ROI at $340./yr??

I don't think it is a good ROI. So far my returns have been zip, but that's why they call it insurance, you never know when you will need it. Our dog in not fully trained, and hiking on the trails where coyotes roam close by could one day be a problem. I don't even want to be tempted to put her down because of a $20,000 vet bill. The $340 per year is a small sum to pay.

Call it Crazy says

Strategist says

We refer to her as our third born.

Probably the best one out of the three!

he he he. No one wanted to take my kids even if I paid them to. A lot of people want my dog. I guess that says it all.

Strategist says

I don't even want to be tempted to put her down because of a $20,000 vet bill. The $340 per year is a small sum to pay.

That raises another question...if that terrible event were to occur, would insurance make good on it? Does the policy exclude coyote attacks or anything?

CL says

Strategist says

I don't even want to be tempted to put her down because of a $20,000 vet bill. The $340 per year is a small sum to pay.

That raises another question...if that terrible event were to occur, would insurance make good on it? Does the policy exclude coyote attacks or anything?

I imagine they would. In case of a Coyote attack I would pay the bill, discounting it as much as possible with the vet, and then go after the insurance company if they don't pay up.
Coyotes have fearlessly walked past my house looking for cats and small dogs. Our dog starts barking like crazy, but I also sense fear in her.

Strategist says

I imagine they would.

I don't know why, but I always pictured them happy to take my premiums but reluctant to pay out. I don't know why, I don't know why, I don't know why. It seems like a scam.

I wonder if they cover pre-existing conditions--like UTIs!

CL says

Strategist says

I imagine they would.

I don't know why, but I always pictured them happy to take my premiums but reluctant to pay out. I don't know why, I don't know why, I don't know why. It seems like a scam.

I wonder if they cover pre-existing conditions--like UTIs!

I doubt it. There is a waiting period from what I understand.
VPI is one of the largest pet insurers, and had good reviews when I first signed up. They were also recommended by an acquaintance who has used them for many years.
If you buy the insurance from a Vet, they may bend rules a little bit to accomodate your dog. wink wink.

sbh says

She might be scratching her bum because she has worms?

I think that was checked. That and she definitely tested positive for the UTI, and had all the symptoms....straining to urinate, the discoloration, even a strange accident or two which was unheard of for her (and she's only 5). I feel safe in ruling it out, but I'll ask the vet if they tested for it. Thanks

Strategist says

VPI is one of the largest pet insurers, and had good reviews when I first signed up

I kind of put that idea aside years ago, but I think I'll reinvestigate. Thanks