Bladder Infections

[Milo the Bulldog]

Milo has had bladder problems since he was a puppy. He is almost 2 years old and I would say that he has probably had about 5-7 infections within the past year and a half. He will get on medicine for awhile and it will help. But the problem always returns. He will have blood in his urine and always has the sensation to go, but when he squats nothing comes out. Milo is not neutered and the vet said that probably has something to do with it (Milo also has a heart condition and cannot get put under so he cannot get any operations), but it is getting to the point where we have no clue what else to do. He gets these infections ALL THE TIME and no vet seems to know what the problem is. The pee test alone cost $30 each visit and his medicine costs about $80. Has anyone's bullie had these type of infections? I just feel so bad for Milo. I hate to see him have these problems all the time.   

[doloskeeter]

Poor guy, is he on any type of Hills Prescription diet?

[Milo the Bulldog]

Not sure what that is. What is the Hills Prescription diet?

[Lord Goliath]

Goliath has had UTI infections caused be struvite crystals in his urine.  He is now on partial diet of Science Diet CD which has worked well for him.  Check this thread for some info about struvite and how to control it:

http://forum.bulldogdomain.com/index.php?topic=1490.0

Did the vet say anything about crystals in his urine?

[Milo the Bulldog]

The vet has said that he has crystals. I wonder why a different diet wasn't recommended for him? I questioned the vet about the protein b/c Milo gets cheese twice a day when he gets his heart pill. She said she didn't think that is the problem, but I think we are now going to switch to bread just to be on the safe side! I will most definitely ask her about the diet. Thank you so much!!!

[Lord Goliath]

Glad to help.  Please let us know what you find out.

[doloskeeter]

Maybe Hills C/D.  I did a little research and read that if he's on medication for awhile, and then goes off, and then gets worse, that the infection didn't go away in the first place.  Also read where everytime he gets an infection there is scarring in the bladder which makes it all that more difficult to clear up.

I'd INSIST on putting him on Hills, regardless of what your vet says, and see if that, in and of itself, doesn't help.

My guy is on u/d because of struvite crystals, and I absolutely, posivitively love it.  No dirty tail pocket, no tear stains, and I can FEED him!!!  Before I had to worry about his weight and I was feeding him only, 1 1/2 cups a day, and he was always begging for table scraps.  Now I can feed him four cups a day and the begging has stopped. 

Go to www.hillspet.com.  Go the vetinary section and pull down prescription diets.  You can read up on it there.

cheers!

[buddylover]

Just wanted to say I'm sorry you are having such a hard time with Milo.  I hope you find the answers you need so he can be healthy.
Hang in there and keep us updated.  Always feel free to ask questions.  There are a lot of people here who have experiance with this.
Take care and kisses to Milo

[brumzoo]

Poor Milo! If you are not satisfied with what your current vet is telling you, please get a second opinion. It cannot hurt anything and may just help. Do not worry about hurting your vet's feelings...this is your baby and his health!

Here is a list of bulldog veterinarians in Virginia:

VIRGINIA
Suzanne Aller,DVM   
8429 Lee Hwy 
Fairfax,  VA  22031
Phone: (703) 560-1881
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Valley View Animal Clinic
David  Redwine,DMV
Route  4
Gate City, Va.
540- 386- 6101
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gail Bostic
5269 Challedon Dr.
Virginia Beach, Va. 23462
PH (757) 497-6054
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Animal Clinic of Williamsburg
7316 Merrimac Tr.
Williamsburg, VA. 23185
Dr. Meryl P. Lessinger
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stuart Morse, D.V.M
Occoquan Animal Hosp, INC.
14234 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
Woodbridge, VA 22191
703-491-1400
fax 703-491-1067
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Robert S. Dove
Companion Animal Clinic of Gainesville
14760 Lee Highway
Gainesville, VA  20155
703-754-8387

You can also try to get a referral to your local veterinary school:
 http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/

[Milo the Bulldog]

Thank you so much for the list of vets!!!! We actually used to take Milo to Dr. Dove when he was a pup when we lived out that way.We will have to get a second opinion. Right now we are waiting on the tests results of the sample that we dropped off last night. I want to get him started on a different diet as soon as possible and hopefully that will help some. We have already cut the cheese out of his diet and he is now getting his daily pills with some bread, just in case that was contributing to the problem. Thank you so much for everyone's suggestions! Milo is very appreciative!  I will keep you updated on his condition!

[Milo the Bulldog]

Update on Milo...
The vet called and he indeed has yet another UTI. The infection seems like it is worse this time. He wakes up about 2-3 times in the night now crying to go outside, so none of us are getting good sleep! He is going on medicine again and will starting his transition on his new food tonight. He will be on one of the Hills Prescription foods, like everyone recommended! I just can't wait for him to start  feeling better. Thanks for everyone's suggestions and help!

[Lord Goliath]

Awww.....poor guy.  I hope the meds help him out quickly. I am curious what meds he is on.  When Goliath had his UTI they gave him a penicillin based shot to speed up initial relief and then we started on the oral antibiotics.

Good luck with Milo.

[Milo the Bulldog]

Milo takes Clavomox. He has tried other medicines but Clavomox works the best for him. The vet always puts him on it for awhile to make sure it clears up the infection, so it always costs so much! This time his medicine will be $96. But as long as it helps him it's worth it.

[buddylover]

I hope Milo feels better quickly and the food will alleviate future problems.  Please keep us updated.
Kisses to Milo

[doloskeeter]

Which Hills Diet did they put him on?