Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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day 15 post op: today gracie began needing to pee frequently, definitely different from normal. She's on prednisone but has been on it long enough that shouldn't have caused a sudden increase. I left her alone for about 2 hrs & when I got back she'd peed inside on the hardwood floor so I could see it had blood in it. She had gone before I left & she never pees inside, so another example of how frequently/differently she's going. She has been on the antibiotic Simplicef (1/2 100 mg tab per day) following surgery & had that last dose this morning. When I got home & saw the blood in her urine I called the vet & now have her on 14 days of Baytrnl 68 mg. for treatment of a urinary t infection.
wondering if a urinary tract infection is relatively common following surgery?
Paranoid me has me imagining all the "what-ifs"... she had an abdominal ultrasound to detect any spreading of the mast cell tumor prior to her surgery & she looked fine. Surely if it was spreading it wouldn't be cause of bladder cancer this soon, right?
I'm going to do some double posting, putting this on Gracie's blog too. Just not sure what will get the most viewing/possibly informed responses...
From a veterinary technician's point of view, I would tell you not to worry. UTI's are very common with dogs. It could be the surgery, but most likely what caused it is that Gracie has been holding her pee longer then normal since the surgery and when dogs hold their pee for too long they can very easily get a UTI. I've had my own dogs in the past get UTI's post surgery. Fortunately, it is an easy fix and the blood should be gone within 48 hours of starting the antibiotics. I wouldn't worry unless Gracie continues to pee blood several days after being on antibiotics.
Lucky Amputation 10/29/09 Adoption 12/5/09
Jedi Amputation 12/18/09 Adoption 02/04/10
"I am not afraid, I was born to do this." Joan of Arc
The combo of prednisone plus stress from surgery probably caused a UTI. Did your vet run a urine test? Baytril is usually a good choice but often I will do a culture if a pet is on prednisone to make sure the bacteria is sensitive to the antibiotic. These little dogs are also prone to bladder stones but an ultrasound should have picked that up. It is very rare for mast cell cancer to spread to the bladder or kidneys.
Pam
thanks so much for your replies! I appreciate the reassurance. I'm very glad to hear mast cell rarely affects bladder/kidneys. I knew that was true for lungs so all added info is helpful.
No, a culture wasn't done, I think so she wouldn't have to be put thru another trip to the office etc. If not improved in 2 days will do actual testing. However, I think she's already not peeing as frequently so will take that as a good sign. She goes outside so it's pretty much impossible for me to check for blood...
Since being on the prednisone she's been drinking a lot (expected w/ the prednisone) & for about a week has been peeing on a seemingly normal schedule. I realize different antibiotics work for different reasons but I guess I was surprised she got the infection after being on the other antibiotic for a full schedule.
thanks again to both of you!
Trouble was prone to UTI, and I kept concentrated cranberry capsules on hand. If symptoms started, I started the pills. They kept us from having to go into the full fledged antibiotic routine many times.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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