Cockerspaniel Urinary Bladder Infection

[Cynthia]

My American Cockerspaniel has a bad Urinary Bladder Infection. She's been on 3 meds for nearly a week which makes her extremely thirsty causing her to urinate frequently and has at least another week to go.

Can cockerspaniels be kept outside the majority of the day (while I'm working) since she urinates every two hours? She's an indoor dog. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Cynthia

[Squawksx3]

Hi Cynthia and welcome to the board :)

Your poor baby, I know those urinary infections can be painful and miserable. Have you considered crating her?. Since she's an indoor dog, it might be a little chilly outside this time of year... she would probably be ok outside if she has a nice warm dog house. Good luck!.

[RWDVM]

Dear Cynthia,

I am a veterinarian. Squawksx3's idea of crating is a very good one. Dogs will naturally try very hard not to void where they lay. With regard to treatment, I am concerned about the medications she is on. For urinary infection, 10 days of one good broad spectrum antibiotic is usually all that is necessary. Furthermore, frequent urination is a common sign of urinary infection. I would expect that after nearly a full week of treatment, this symptom would at least have markedly improved, if not resolved.

Finally, while there are several medications that cause increased urination, there are none of this type that I am aware of that would be indicated for a urinary infection. I am, therefore, concerned that either: (1) your dog's urinary infection has become resistant to the current treatment regimen, or (2) your dog is not on the right meds.

When you get a chance, please clarify what medications your dog is on either with a consult through my veterinary advice and health management web site at the address listed below, or through this board. Good luck to you.

Roger L. Welton, DVM
Veterinarian, Webmaster http://www.askdvm.com

[Cynthia]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not familiar with crating. Are you talking about keeping her in a kennel in the house? If so, wouldn't she be sitting in urine during the day? We tried a dog house before and she never went in it so we got rid of it. I thought it may be too cold outside. Maybe I'll keep her in the garage with some warm blankets and her pillow while I'm working.

[Cynthia]

I took her to the doctor on Monday, 12/29/03, because she threw up, was lathargic, was shaking and I noticed there were blood spots on my white tile. This was the first time I noticed anything different going on with her. She's always had accidents in the house. Usually in the middle of the night.

The meds she's been taking since Monday are:
Methioform 500 mg - 1/4 tab every 12 hours
Dexamethasone 4 mg - 1 tab every 24 hours
Baytril 68.0 mg - 1/2 tab ebery 12 hours

Dr. says one is an antibiotic, one is an anti-inflamatory and I'm not sure what the other is. He said it's a good thing to have her drink alot now to flush her system. She received an x-ray to make sure she didn't have a stone and then they took a urine sample and also sent it out to make sure she doesn't have any tumors causing the infection.

Next Saturday, I'm bringing in a sample of urine so they can check to see if she needs more meds.

[RWDVM]

Dear Cynthia:

Methioform is a urinary acidifier that is beleived to create an pH environment less favorable for bacteria to thrive. I do not use this drug for first time unrinary tract infections. I try methioform only when the infections become chronically recurrent.

I absolutely do not agree with the use of dexamethasone for urinary tract infections. Dexamethasone is a steroid. While steroids have powerful antiinflammatory properties, they have a tendency to suppress the immune system, thereby decreasing the body's ability fight infection. This class of drugs is therefore contra-indicated in cases of infections of any kind.

Furthermore, steroids have a powerful diarrhetic affect, increasing the dog's need to urinate (hence your problem). Steroids also increase gastric acid production, thereby having a tendency to cause GI upset (hence your new problem).

The use of steroids in this case is a very out dated, old school practice. I recommend that you stop treatment with the dexamethasone immediately. and and continue only the antibiotic(Baytril). At this point, I would also consider changing to a new and novel antibiotic, as the current infection may have built resistance to the Baytril.

To manage this case further, I recommend that you find a second opinion ASAP with a vet unaffiliated with your current vet's hospital. Provide all medical records and x-rays (your current vet by law has to give you all of this), as well as everything that I have written in this post. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further assistance.

Good luck!

Roger L. Welton, DVM
Veterinarian, Webmaster http://www.askdvm.com