Fiona is still sick :( opnions needed please!

Merrick Davison

New member
Oct 12, 2011
17
0
Sarasota, FL
Bulldog(s) Names
Fiona, Kiya and Buddy
Hi everyone,I posted a message here I guess it has been over a month and a half about Fionas stone being found in her urine. My puppy was only 12 weeks at the time. She was urinating blood and it was constant. I rushed her to the animal er and paid a hefty bill. They did an ultra-sound and her bladder was about half the size it should be due to her bladder lining expansion. After the ER visit we went the following Monday to my local vet. After more testing we walked out with another large bill. They have had her on anti-biotics since this started. We then went back to the vet after we let the anti-biotics kick in and they did more urine testing. Her urine has been showing alot of puss inside. They suggest we put her on Science diet SO dog food along with the medicine for 2 weeks. We went back to the vet last thursday where they did more testing and I am waiting to hear back. She is now on a new anti-biotic. In all she has had about 4-5 urine analysis each one costing me about 80.00 just for that. Since the er visit we have been to the vet 4 times and have really not moved. The medicines have showed no difference and they said this last urine test will determine what anti-biotic she needs to fight off this infection. What I do/dont get is why this has not been figured out with the past urinalysis? They also suggested last vet visit I put her on another food made to help with sediments since the sd did not. Both foods 16 cans cost about 60.00. In all over the past month I have spent around 1200.00. I dont mind spending the money to make her better, but its not like it is easy to fork out this much. I have had to take out a loan, just to give you an idea. I need opinions on what to do next? I feel as if I may be getting jerked around, but this vet office is suppose to be very reputable. Any suggestions, ideas I would greatly appreciate!
 

izstigspunks

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Sep 16, 2010
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Would you be open to going on the raw diet and seeing a natural meds vet? There's a few, if not more, in the group that I've read have been in the same boat as you and Fiona. To start, I can pm you the address to the natural rearing group I belong to. I don't always follow what they say :ashamed:, but like to have different people's perspectives on things. Poor baby.
 

sheshistory

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Jul 11, 2010
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What are the antibiotics for? It's not clear to me from your description that Fiona's urine issues are from an infection? Is there a specialist you can see that knows more about these kinds of issues in dogs? (I do not really know but I would guess there is someone out there) I know what puzzles many regular vets is better left to professionals with additional training.

As for the money - I totally understand, especially when you aren't getting anywhere with treatment. I shelled out $1000 seeking opinions on my bully's hip dysplasia before finally paying $3000 for surgery. They are expensive animals! Vets often have applications for Care Credit in their office, which is an interest-free way to pay for vet bills, so that might be an option for you.

But I think I'd seek out a second opinion or see if I can find a specialist to give me more information since you're clearly spending money on treatments that aren't helping!

Oooh, I'm so sorry that you're going through all this. Lots of support to you and Fiona.
 

brcjzl

New member
Jul 7, 2011
44
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Canfield, Ohio
Bulldog(s) Names
Liam, (Bailey RIP 05/22/2011)
I know I mentioned a shunt in your other post. Did they do a blood test to rule out a liver shunt? We went down a very similar path as you are with Liam. I agree, they should have determined which antibiotic would work for the infection on the first test. However, those tests are not foolproof. For us, Liam's urine culture said the antibiotic he was on would have no effect on the E-coli he had. Thankfully, it cleared up the infection. However, the stones had to be removed surgically. The shunt caused the stones and the stones caused the infection.

What type of stone does Fiona have? They did test the stones for the type, correct? The prescription dog food will only work for a certain type of stone. I learned that the hard way with Bailey. He was diagnosed with bladder stones a few months before he died and the prescription food had no effect. Your wasting your time and money if they don't know what kind of stone it is.
 

Vicaroo1000

"Slug Assassin" and PBS Gardening Dweeb
Jun 23, 2011
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Mukilteo, Washington State
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Fiona is a gorgeous little doll....I hope you figure it out soon. Hugs to the baby. It's sure not fun being sick.
 

cali baker

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Feb 25, 2011
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So is Fiona currently on the antibiotic that they found the urine culture to be sensitive to? hopefully that's the case. After she's completed this regimen and she's still not recovered or improved then seek a new vet for another opinion. I'm so sorry that Fiona's going through this and that you are too! I know how worrisome it is mentally as well as to the pocketbook when it comes to our pet's health.
 

LucysMum

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Mar 26, 2011
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I don't have much to add except I hope you get to the bottom of this really soon. Fiona looks like a little doll and I know how hard it is on everyone when our pups are sick.
 
OP
Merrick Davison

Merrick Davison

New member
Oct 12, 2011
17
0
Sarasota, FL
Bulldog(s) Names
Fiona, Kiya and Buddy
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  • #8
Sorry if its a bit here and there....long day of work...sick dog....tired mother

Thanks for all the opinons! I know non-detailed vet visit is not much help. Fiona had her regular check up visit and I asked why she was requently urinating and thats when they did a urinalysis, they did not get enough urine so they could not do the test right. So basically they had an unsuccessful test and I still paid for it. She then went back the next day for another one and thats when they started the antiniotivs. A few days go by and she starts urinating blood. I deicde to take her to the er. The er is where the stone fell out, luckily we got it. I took Fiona to our local vet who did their own urinalysis and sediment culture. The urinalysis came back with a high ph level and puss in the urine. There is some kind of infection the dr.s still dont know what it is. we went back again which is where i got the dog food and had another urinalysis test. the test of course still showed the same results. take into fact shes been on antibiotics since the er visit. finally we took her this past thursday and they did another urinalysis and i believe i saw a culture on it as well as her knew meds. Im waiting now to hear what the urine test determines. THIS FINAL test...hopefully...is suppose to determine what antibiotic she needs to treat what is wrong.

The shunt possibility- the stone she had was a particular sediment stone that is not the same kind they find in liver shunts. When this all started they thought she had an ecoli infection, but like you as well the meds didnt clear it, so that was not the case. I believe she said it was a calcium stone, but I will find out for sure on monday.


They have continued to leave her on meds bc they are afraid if they take her off then she will back to bleeding urine, which the meds have stopped that problem. I did take out that pet loan deal, I had to :(

I do not know of anyone in the area that specializes with bulldogs.

I am up to try anything at this point? Her diet has consisted of that food which is not suppose to be used on puppies but they had no choice, boiled chicken and rice. Fiona is treated like a royal princess when she gets fed. If the raw diet is the way to go, I am all ears on that.

The thing that bothers me is there are 3 vets all related and when I go there I never know who I am going to see. With all that is going on I would like to keep one vet on board. Am I asking too much?

My past vets would bend over backwards to help my dogs out and would NEVER charge to do all they have done knowing this is a huge financial burden.
 

Vicaroo1000

"Slug Assassin" and PBS Gardening Dweeb
Jun 23, 2011
5,775
389
Mukilteo, Washington State
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Beefeater's Buxom Beatrice and Lord Harrington's Bodacious Beauregaard
@Merrick Davidson - Fiona's case is complex and yes, I'd want one guy on the case too - but maybe it's a good thing? Instead of one medical education on your case, you have three. Of course, I'd be wondering why it's taking three guys to figure this out - but Fiona's case could be an extremely unique one? I wonder if there's a veterinary college you could send her records to? Maybe the students could take a look at Fiona's case?
I'm certain my vet would have referred me to a specialist by now - but he's not all caught up in ego like some medical professionals are. (I know, It's not nice but it's been true-- at least in my fify years of life and gazillions of animals and vet visits) I was referred to a specialist and there at the office the very next day after Dr. Terry diagnosed Mable's heart problem - but that's probably more obvious an issue since she was bloated to beached whale size.... Oh it's so hard! I really feel for you. This would torment me to sleeplessness!
 

brcjzl

New member
Jul 7, 2011
44
7
Canfield, Ohio
Bulldog(s) Names
Liam, (Bailey RIP 05/22/2011)
The vets should be trying to figure out why such a young dog has bladder stones. The first thing our vet said when Liam was diagnosed with stones at 8 weeks was "something is not right, a dog this young should not have stones". He instantly hinted the dog may have a liver shunt. I believe Liam had urate stones. They were visible on the ultrasound but not in an xray. Hopefully, you will get some answers soon.

I know what you mean about the multiple vets. I firmly believe that contributed to the early death of our bulldog Bailey.

Do you give Fiona filtered water? We have very hard water in our area so I give Liam filtered water.
 

izstigspunks

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Sep 16, 2010
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[MENTION=3429]Merrick Davison[/MENTION] - I'll post what you said on the raw group sites and see what members say. For me, I prefer to have 1 vet as well. When we first got Stig, we went numerous times to the same clinic for his allergies and always saw a different dr. Each had their own opinion and diff meds which, in the end, did not contribute much help. In your case, I'd look for a specialist. Don't wait for your current vet to refer you to one, do your own research and look for one in your area. Even if you need to drive hours away, I'd go seeing you need answers.

From what I remember reading before, it helps to keep her hydrated, even if you need to put a little chicken broth in the water to entice her. [MENTION=2722]brcjzl[/MENTION] made an excellent suggestion giving filtered water.

I'll see what I can find. Really hoping to find answers for you too.
 
OP
Merrick Davison

Merrick Davison

New member
Oct 12, 2011
17
0
Sarasota, FL
Bulldog(s) Names
Fiona, Kiya and Buddy
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Thank you all so much! Its such a reassuring feeling to have such nice people help me out with her problem. I somtimes filter her water, but that is a good point that I should do that constantly, here in FL the water is not great at all. There is a school UF that has a great vet program, the only problem is it being 3.5 hours away as well as they want to charge a nice penny. It may boil down to having to take her there. She is always a thirsty little girl, I keep a huge bottle attached to her house when I am gone. She is also a hefty eating machine :) Thank you all again for all of the suggestions! As soon as I recieve feedback form the vet I will post!

Also thanks for reposting that on to the raw post! Let me know what feedback you get~
 

cali baker

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Feb 25, 2011
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I'm so sorry you're going thru this and that Fiona is going thru this health crisis. The water issue is a good one; there may be many unnecessary elements and deposits in regular city water that wouldn't help Fiona, so I'd stick with filtered water too. It's good that she has a great appetite and drinks a lot. Hydration is important. Did the vets address any pain concerns? I'm just thinking that passing a stone is extremely painful in humans so i would think the same for our furry babies. I'm sorry i don't have much to offer you other than that I'll be keeping Fiona and you in my prayers for a correct diagnosis, successful treatment plan, and a full recovery. Lots of hugs to you. Hang in there...you are a great bully parent! :hug:
 

izstigspunks

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Sep 16, 2010
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Toronto, Ontario
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The Stig Racecar Driver and (Sweet Angel) Punkin Brutus
Also thanks for reposting that on to the raw post! Let me know what feedback you get~

Posted on a couple but no one really gave a good answer, but one referred me to join the Yahoo Group called DogHealth and search the archives for kidney stone info. Waiting on membership approval right now. I think you should join too, it may be beneficial. :)

Also, wondering if the vet has given you updates yet. Hopefully you finally received a correct diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Oh, I also read some info of kidney stones. Apparently, a diet high in grain and vegetables may lead to stone formation. Not sure if it's true, but it may be worth to talk to your vet about it.
 
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JAKEISGREAT

.................
Mar 25, 2011
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I'm so late to this..I'm so sad for you and especially Fiona. To not be able to find out what's wrong..would just be heartbreaking.and to not feel 100% confident in your vet is another huge issue. Please keep looking for a great vet.I would definitely try a visit to the teaching vet hospital.they have the latest and most modern techniques. My :pray: are with both of you.
 

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