Angel - more problems

[k9Karen]

I went out of town this weekend to help my daughter move. My hubbie stayed home with the dogs. He told me that Angel didn't seem to be 'herself' and wasn't eating well. We thought at the time that it might be because he has to get up so early and her schedule was off. I got home Sunday afternoon, and she ate well that night and also on Monday. This morning, she has no interest in food and just threw up what was left in her stomach from last night. She seems a bit 'out of sorts' and appears to have lost some weight, but is not really 'sick'. No diarrhea (at least, not yet).

To add to the problems, she is now 'leaking'. Hubbie thought there might have been a couple of instances this weekend, but she is also a licker, and the spots were small - we weren't sure if they were from urine or from licking the rug. Well, last night, she made 2 small spots on the bed that are definitely urine. She sleeps in the bed with us, and this is the first instance of this problem - she didn't even do this when she had the active UTI. Fortunately, she didn't 'soak' things and washing the comforter and sheets will take care of the evidence.

I know the 'leaking' is probably related to the bladder tumors, but could the vomiting/lack of appetite also be related? If so, that doesn't sound good. Of course they could be totally unrelated, and I'm planning to call the vet to ask. (I didn't get a chance to talk to him before I left town last week and he was off yesterday - glad I didn't talk to him before this, I would have had to call again anyway!)

Any help and info is again deeply appreciated. I'll post later tonight with what I find out from the vet.

[Traci]

Yes, it could, especially if another infection is developing, or even a different infection.

Have you taken her temperature? This would be one way to make a guess on potential infection. If it's alittle high, I would get her seen today, Karen.

[k9Karen]

Saw the vet this pm. She's tentatively scheduled for bladder surgery next Wednesday. I need to check my work schedule to be sure I can be off with her. Fortunately, my hubbie is already scheduled off during that time, and he is more than willing to take care of her post-op if I can't get the time off.

My vet thinks the vomiting and lack of appetite may be due to the Clavamox - specifically the clavulanic acid in the formula. A question: Does either the amoxicillin or the clavulanate cause increased thirst in canines? Angel has been drinking more than normal lately - a possible cause of the 'leaking' and accidents. Dr. N. isn't sure why she has suddenly developed this problem and isn't sure it's completely related to the bladder tumors (he's now calling them polyps). This change happened within a couple of days - no hint of anything before that. He changed her Rx from Clavamox to Baytril.

The surgery will be lazer. My vet says he does many cystotomies, mainly for stones, and I get the feeling that he considers this pretty routine. Costs seem reasonable - $400 - $500 for the surgery, which includes overnight stay and IV antibiotics + painkiller, along with the biopsy. If she does well, she'll also get her teeth cleaned - an additional $75. I'm sure he didn't mention everything, but I don't think anything else will be too bad.

Her blood work done last week was perfect - everything right in the mid-range of "normal". I repeated her UA today, and the strip was completely negative, except for a 2+ bilirubin. pH was 6. The microscopic showed 5-10 WBC and 20-30 RBC per HPF with no bacteria. So, obviously there is still some inflammation. I set a culture just to be safe, but I don't really expect anything to grow.

I'll post back if anything chagnes - wish us luck with the surgery!

[oconnorjoy]

k9Karen, sending best wishes and prayers for you and Angel.

[davet]

just for kicks,, has the BUN been in relativly normal ranges???

[k9Karen]

Everything perfectly normal - I don't know the exact number, didn't think to ask. I did see her BUN and creatinine when she was so sick and I had to take her to the Emergency Vet - both were low normal - that was about 2 months ago. The vet said everything was mid-range normal; nothing elevated at all.

[davet]

suspect that that could be somewhat encouraging.....