A need to re-check Ruby.
On Tuesday the Visiting the Vet post was about our Ruby. As was explained in the early part of that post:
Back on the 11th August Jean and I took Ruby into Lincoln Road Vet because there was blood in her urine. Ruby is one of our six dogs that we have at home. Ruby is the last of the Mexican ex-rescue dogs and is an eleven-year old Sharpei mix.
Dr Jim thought that Ruby had a straightforward Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and that a course of antibiotic would fix that.
All of that was reported in my previous post and, indeed, it did look as though it was all resolved.
Then on Tuesday night we discovered a pee in the house that had blood in it. Repeated yesterday. Although we hadn’t caught Ruby in the act, so to speak, we were pretty sure that it was her with the blood in her urine (again).
So yesterday morning back we went to Lincoln Road Vet Clinic to be seen by Dr. Jim.
Jim and his assistant, Cianna, first took Ruby through to a lab at the back of the clinic to take an X-ray and draw some of Ruby’s urine directly from her bladder.
That urine was going to be cultured by Three Rivers Hospital in Grants Pass for that was the only reliable way of seeing what might be the cause of the infection. A quick web search found more information about a urine culture:
A urine culture is a test to find germs (such as bacteria) in the urine that can cause an infection. Urine in the bladder is normally sterile. This means it does not contain any bacteria or other organisms (such as fungi). But bacteria can enter the urethra and cause a urinary tract infection (UTI).
A sample of urine is added to a substance that promotes the growth of germs. If no germs grow, the culture is negative. If germs grow, the culture is positive. The type of germ may be identified using a microscope or chemical tests. Sometimes other tests are done to find the right medicine for treating the infection. This is called sensitivity testing.
In no time at all the images from the X-ray were available to be viewed.
Jim was delighted to report that there was no sign of stones or a tumor. Ruby is an eleven-year old dog and what Jim did see on the X-ray was ‘bridging’ along parts of Ruby’s spine. The technical term for this is spondylosis and, again, a quick web search found more:
Spondylosis in dogs, also called spondylosis deformans, is a degenerative condition that usually occurs most along the spine in older dogs. There, degenerative disks cause bone spurs to develop. These bone spurs can form bridges from one vertebrae to the next, limiting flexibility and range of motion.
Most cases of spondylosis require minor pain relief, and dogs can live out healthy, comfortable lives with this condition.
It’s not a very good image but here is an enlargement of that first X-ray picture (or rather my photograph of same) showing that bridging.
Jim offered some general information regarding idiopathic cystitis that is more commonly seen in female cats but can also be seen in dogs. In cats the cause is more likely to be stress but in dogs the more likely cause is an infection; as in a UTI. In both cats and dogs the signs are frequent peeing but cats are more likely to incur some pain when urinating compared to dogs.
Back to Ruby.
The second X-ray image (below) did nothing to change Jim’s mind that Ruby might have a UTI that requires a change of antibiotic to accurately combat the infection.
While waiting for the results of the urine culture, Jim recommended putting Ruby on a second course of Amoxicillin.
When we get those results I will add the details to this post.
I remember Melanie sometimes had to double her course of treatment because the strain was particularly stubborn.
So glad it isn’t a tumor, Paul.
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Thanks Susan. Yes, we were delighted as well. Now to see what the culturing brings to light.
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All good luck to get Ruby healthy again. Healing thoughts on her way, Paul.
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Passed on to Ruby these last few moments. (Ruby is on the bed at the present time.) Thank you! 😍
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This is exactly what we’re treating our Vuvuzela (fat cat) for! And she even has a de-stressing cream we put on her ears every night.
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What we do for our animals, John!! Wonder if there’s a variant of that cream for adults! 😀
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Hah! We’re actually also using it on psycho Coon, our latest cat addition. Lovely little boy, but he hears voices telling him to “Kill Jungles, Kill Jungles, Kill Jungles.”
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I’m guessing that Jungles is another member of your family?
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He’s #1.
14 years old now.
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Understood!
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gosh, your Ruby looks a bit like my Skippy! Have your ruled out all those creepy mimics like Ehriciosis and Lyme disease?
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Alice, welcome to you and thanks for your response. (And Ruby says ‘hi’ to Skippy.) I am guessing that the urine culture will answer that.
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Having just been diagnosed yesterday with the same ailment, my heart goes out to Ruby. Get better soon, sweet girl.😍
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And you!!
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Great info here. Hope Ruby is improving. She is a sweetheart.
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Thanks Yvonne. We need to wait for the results of the urine culture to really understand the situation. Ruby certainly is a sweetheart!
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Glad to hear that Ruby’s ailment appears to be nothing serious. Here’s hoping she gets well soon!
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Thank you! That is very kind of you to send your wishes.
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Sending Ruby some healing vibes.. and hope the antibiotics help heal her soon..
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Jim called last night to report the early results from the cultivation. Will write more when it’s clearer.
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I will be sure to log into see those results Paul
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Indeed, that will be tomorrow’s post. We are calling in to Lincoln Road shortly to get the details.
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🙂 Hope all goes well..
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