URGENT!!! eptopic ureter/bladder problems

[bentley]

Hi all, I just got home from the vet with Bentley and he has been dribbling urine since i got him. he also still poops in his sleep sometimes, he did more when he had worms a few months ago, and he still doesnt squat to poop or pee.
Bentley is currently 4 months old, no other health issues thus far.

The vet recommended i see a neuro specialist and also wrote down a few disorders for me she thought could be the cause of the dribbling
1. eptopic ureter
2. intrapelvic bladder
3. neurologic/conformational congenital issue

i'm still also concerned to why he still isn't showing/trying to relay when he has to go outside

anyone have any kind of similar issues or information that can help me?

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

I'm not sure..but someone has had something similar..I'll ag a few people and try to do a search for you. Hang in there..I'm sure you're worried!

@KimSebastian N Oliver...@desertskybulldogs

 

[ssesler]

Hi!

Oh mygoodness. I just read your post and had tears in my eyes… my Truman does has very similar issues! My Truman will be 4 years old this year. Two years ago(Aug 20), Truman “found me” and he was my rescue baby. When we got him he wasin really bad shape and his penis stuck out about 2 inches. He didn’t dribble alot of urine constantly. Sometimes it was just a few drops, but there would beepisodes of where he’s start dribbling constantly. But it would only be for afew weeks and then stop. Also when he had a bowl movement he didn’t squat. Hewalked around the yard, or as we affectingly call it, “drop it like it’s hot”.
In May oflast year, we took Truman to MU to rule out eptopic ureter and other bladderissues. They did a CT and cystoscopy and couldn’t find anything. They did sayhe had a urethral stricture. They said this was the cause of his urinedripping. The solution they gave me was to cut off his penis and reroute theurethra. I REALLY didn’t agree with their hypothesis so I decided to see otheropinions. Over the next year, we exhausted all the resources around here (Ilive in MO), so in July of this year we drove 12 hours to the University of TN.There he was evaluated by a neurologist who noted some deficiencies. I will saythat Truman was already seen by a neurologist “super team” – as they describedthemselves – and never noted his neuro deficiencies. Anyway, because of whatthe neuro team in TN noted, they did an MRI and other testing done (anothercystoscopy). They found he had spina bifida, hyrocephalus, some narrowing ofthe spinal cord and other issues, BUT NO URETHRAL STRICTURE. They did foundsome crystals in his bladder. Fortunately for Truman, none of his nerves arecompressed therefore he does have some bladder and bowl control (although aturd nugget or two does pop out when he sleeps). The crystals in his bladderturned out to be struvite – which is caused from bladder infections – to whichmy vet SWEARS he doesn’t have because his urine and blood tests were normal.However, according to the specialist struvite only form from infections – so thereyou go. Anyway, for my Truman, in addition to the some type of infection, it isbelieved that the hydrocephalus is causing his urine dripping. When thepressure is high, he has an episode, when it’s lower, he does not. I stillthink it has more to do with the infections, but I’m just the mama. We aretreating his hydrocephalus with Prilosec just to reduce the pressure on thebrain. Also, his bowl behaviors are due to the spina bifida. I’m not sure ifyou’re familiar with this, but it sounds like this could be the issue. Funnyhow I’ve had Truman to so many “specialists” but yet, no one noticed he wasmissing his last vertebrae. The group in TN believes it’s because how wellTruman compensates and doesn’t “fit the bill” for most spina bifida dogs.
So, if Ihad to do it all over again, I would find a specialist that knows bulldogs. Thevet in TN took care of many of Georgia’s bulldogs, so he knew his stuff. (Healso just came back from doing a conference in Italy over urethral issues indogs.) The other thing is make sure they listen to you. Don’t let them takewhat you know for granted and try to talk you out of it. So many times I wastold that what I was describing wasn’t possible or it was just dismissed – likeI was some crazy person. Turns out everything I was noting, there’s an explanationand it helped with the diagnosis. Take pictures and videos – this alsoreinforces what you notice and allows them to see your Bentley with his day today issues.
If youhappen to be able to go to the University of TN, I would highly recommend it.They spent SO much time with me and treated me like a person and loved Trumanand were so interested in helping him. To this day, I’m still exchanging emailswith them. Great group.
If youhave ANY questions, please feel free to ask me. For the past two years, I’ve been in your shoesand cried my eyes out so many times because no one could help my Truman. I don’twant anyone else to have to go through that.

 

[ssesler]

Oh and it has been almost 2 years and a couple weeks ago was the first time he went to the door to go outside to potty. He hasn't done it again since, but I figured even one time is progress! Sometimes, they just don't know. I take Truman out every couple of hours and take my other boys out with him. They are all "marking machines" so if one potties, they all potty.

 

[ssesler]

Oh and the other thing... During his visit at the Univeristy of TN, I met with the integrated medicine department. They gave me all kinds of information and taught me how to do accupressure on Truman to help minimize his symptoms. They sent me a whole breakdown of what to do. If you're interested let me know and I can send you the information. There's also a book that goes over it. Can be found http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0890877904/ref=pe_226970_25216310_email_r_ti. Also, diet is key as well. I've started Truman on Fish oil, vitamin E and probiotics. Make sure to feed a grain free food. Ok. I think that's all for now.

 

[bentley]

thanks so much for all your information!

does your bulldog have a cowlick about 1 1/2 inches above his tail?
I've had the vet look at this area several times are i was told it was just a cowlick

 

[2BullyMama]

[MENTION=4246]ChanelnBrutus[/MENTION] .... is this what Brutus had??

 

[ssesler]

Yes Truman does have the cowlick. Another simple test is try to put your thumb right above his tail. If your thumb fits into the grove, probably spina bifida. I've attached an image from the MRI. You can clearly see where Truman's nerves are going up (they call it the "Bic" lighter effect) rather than being covered by the last vertebrae.

When Bentely does go outside, does he potty or seem to know when he's going potty?

Also, if it is spina bifida - it's really not a big deal. Some vets say to put down the dog because of it. Don't listen to them. I work with a rescue that has 3 spina bifida dogs and they are all wonderful and happy. And my Truman is just a happy go lucky boy. He plays with his brothers, loves to go on walks and bye-bye. Just like any other dog. They just require a little bit of extra mainetnance.



http://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25912&d=1345160110
bigger image with the link

 

[Sherry]

[MENTION=1184]ssesler[/MENTION] Wow I just got a lesson, thank yo so much for all the info. That's why I love this place

 

[ChanelnBrutus]

Brutus had a prolapsed urethra causing him to dribble blood not so much pee pee....His penis had a red ball at the tip of it...I have some pictures in some threads also...This did cause him to pee a lot as sometimes he would strain and nothing and then 5 mins later pee again...You will know if its a prolaspe b/c of the red tip....

 

[ChanelnBrutus]

[MENTION=1930]RescueMe[/MENTION] can help with the spina bifida as she has a couple bullies

 

[bentley]

thank you everyone for all your advice and help.. i REALLY appreciate it, especially with bentley being the first bulldog i've ever owned.
i'm just so sad and upset he has to go through all this, he's such a good puppy ;-(

 

[bentley]

@ssesler , he never squats to poop, but sometimes he is able to push a lot of poop out, and other times i can see it sitting in his rectum. it seems like he pushes it out when his poop is more firm, when it's soft it's more of an issue.
i sent you an inbox a few minutes ago... i appreciate all your help and advice

 

[Texas Carol]

Hi!

Oh mygoodness. I just read your post and had tears in my eyes… my Truman does has very similar issues! My Truman will be 4 years old this year. Two years ago(Aug 20), Truman “found me” and he was my rescue baby. When we got him he wasin really bad shape and his penis stuck out about 2 inches. He didn’t dribble alot of urine constantly. Sometimes it was just a few drops, but there would beepisodes of where he’s start dribbling constantly. But it would only be for afew weeks and then stop. Also when he had a bowl movement he didn’t squat. Hewalked around the yard, or as we affectingly call it, “drop it like it’s hot”.

[MENTION=1184]ssesler[/MENTION]...

Your post really touched my heart and I will put you & Truman on my prayer list.
GOD will bless you for reaching out to someone else and helping them solve their
problem. One of my beliefs is that we are placed on this earth to be of service to
each other and that we are to share the knowledge we learn, thru the good and
the bad experiences, in order that someone else's life be better still.

Thank you for being a great example of this and for being of service to your fellow
man. Carol

 

[kazzy220]

I'm so pleased that you finally got an educated answer from somebody .... I believe you posted this in another thread ... either that or I'm going a little bit crazy!!