Urinary track infection vet says possibly can't afford to take her.
 

Can anyone tell me what to do (home remedy) I any help

i would add a little UNSWEETENED cranberry juice to her water. I say unsweetened cause you dont want to add any sugar into their diet. Or you could always try cranberry tablets....same benefits without the sugar...ask the vet how much you can give though.

I heard apple cider vinegar or garlic but I'll call the healthfood store about cranberry

If you think it is a UTI then she needs to go to the Vet... If those things get really bad she could die... Im sorry if this sounds harsh but if you cant afford to take her to the vet . She needs to have a new home.. UTI are very very painful... Im poor but always find money to take Babies to vet if needed .. that is why i gave up smoking so i would have extra for the babies...:confused:

I have to agree, with dogs comes unexpected vet bills, I know alone in the last month, I've spent close to $500 on my dogs(and thats on 2 out of the 6), I also have 2 (the outside ones) that are due for their rabi shots and distemper within a month. But, their health comes first(actually before my own). I have needed to go to the Dr for arhtritis, but, they have needed vet care, so, I put mine on hold

I agree. You need to take her to the vet. Infections need antibiotics. You can't treat her yourself. Urinary tract infections are very painful. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the the kidneys, heart and other organs.

Unexpected vet bills are part of pet ownership. They always seem to come at bad times, like right before the holidays. You need to have money set aside in a savings account, a credit card, or something so you are financially prepared to take care of your dog.

I'm sorry, I have to agree with the others, UTI are so painful, please see that she gets vet care.

Not sure about any home remedies. I would suggest then maybe seeing the vet at your local ASPCA...they charge for care there will be a heck of a lot lower than your private vet. Maybe ask your vet if they will take payments for the visit.

Although it's a good idea to have money set aside for your pups health care...things happen. So don't beat yourself up.

Let's all take it easy on the maybe you should find another home for your pup speech. The economy is doing crappy right now and no one knows her personal situation. Things happen and while you might have had a cushion for something maybe something happened and you had to use those funds.

I was at my vet one day and this other lady came in with an emergency and she told the receptionist that she did not had any money that day but because she was a regular customer, and emergencies happen, they treated her dog and she was able to pay them later on. my son works at the clinic and I asked him and he said that yes, that is policy in the clinic, if you don't have the money, your dog still gets the care and then you get billed. so call your regular vet and see if they will work something with you.
hugs,

That's why it's important to have a separate fund set aside for vet bills, not just a general emergency fund.

Do call your vet as Carmen suggested. If you are a regular client, he may work something out with you.

Even if you have to borrow the money, it's important to get her treated before it gets more serious and more expensive, plus it's cruel to make her suffer. I had a urinary tract infection just once and they are just awful.

The way cranberry juice works, is that it sets up an acid environment, and the bacteria have a harder time latching on to the walls of the bladder, allowing the bacteria to multiply and grow. Drinking cranberry juice and copious amounts of water can sometimes nip an infection in the bud. It does not kill the bacteria though, and is used by many, to prevent reoccurring infections or in conjunction with antibiotics. Since you can't make a dog drink an extreme amount of water, I'm doubtful that the cranberry juice alone would work.

That's why a product like Cranberry Relief is much better because it is concentrated. Not just water, you have to drink huge amounts of cranberry juice to see the benefits.

As you said, though, it's a preventative, not a cure. Given on a regular basis, it will neutralize acidic urine so bacteria, crystals and stones can't form. An infection needs antibiotics. Your vet also needs to check her urine for crystals.

Shir...isn't this the puppy with the suspected liver issues? The UTI can be related to that. You may have to make a difficult decision here regarding her health care...it's likely to be on going and expensive.

I'm very sorry she's sick.

You probably will not be able to get her to drink enough. I literally gave Reese fluids via a syringe last week...so he wouldn't dehydrate. He still received another iv of fluids.

Thanks to those that care and trying to help. To brodimom and some others I really don't appreciate your remarks. I have bought the dog $350.00 vet bills $700.00 since I got her at thanksgiving and personal issues. I am really concerned about her but at the same time very depressed and upset that I can't afford another $150.00 right now. So please don't make things worse by lecturing me. The vet I have used for 6 years with all my animals but they will not work with me they require money up front. Hope you have a great holiday because mine actually is horrible. I'll figure this out on my own and brodimom I hope this never happens to you and no one cares about what you are going thru also.

What if she did have that and due to unforseen circumstances she also had to hit that to maybe feed her family or pay that mortgage when the emergency fund ran out. It's all good and easy to say what you would do but until you walk in that person's shoes or deal with what they are doing I say don't beat them about the head. She asked for folks to give her information and suggestions not for people to tell her to rehome her dog. Everyone needs to understand that. I am very passionate about my dogs and have extra funds and a special credit card for it but not everyone can do that. Until I am in her situation I can't knock her for her situation.

Honestly to the OP I suggest giving your vet a call and asking if they will take payments from you.

Did you get a health guarantee with her? Since you have only had her for a month, hopefully your breeder will help you with the vet bills.

I didn't realize that your vet suspected liver disease with her. This could become pretty costly, I'm afraid. I think you may have found out the hard way that a "bargain" $350 puppy was no bargain at all. You may be looking at a lifetime of health problems and vet bills like I have with my Lady. Her "living" expenses (medications to keep her alive) are $5,000 a year now. :eek:

I am sorry your baby is sick. Once when Cali had a UTI I just took a urine sample in and the vet gave me meds, since Cali was a regular patient. I think it cost 30.00 total. Maybe your vet would do something like that. I hope you can work something out so she can get care and you won't have to be financially strapped.

That's an excellent suggestion, Patti.

Shir,

I think if the pup has a possible liver shunt then you will be in for a lot of medical bills that will amount to a whole lot more than this simple visit for the UTI.

I know it's hard to follow through but it might be in the best interest of you both if you speak to a rescue.

I am not knocking you or telling you that you don't deserve a dog because you dont' have a ton of money in the bank. I know things happen. But in this situation if she does have a shunt and this UTI might be a side effect of it....you really owe it to that pup and yourself to do the right thing. If it will be a huge financial burden then the best and most humane thing you can do is to give her to a rescue. Sometimes we think with only our hearts (I am sure you love her). If you really do love her then it's best to do all that you can to help her out. Don't be one of those selfish folks that we have seen pop up here and there and refuse to get the dog to a rescue because they are thinking only of themselves and the hurt they will have to live with by surrendering their dog. Think about it..help for the pup so they can live a long, healthy and happy life or keeping her and she will suffer only so you can have her in your life for a short time.

You have a very heart wrenching decision to make. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes. I send you prayers and hope you can do what is in the best interest of that pup.

Shir, do the best you can. I feel really sorry for you right now. You do not deserve to be beat up no matter what! Sometimes owning animals can cost a fortune. You can only do what you can do and that doesn't change the love you have for your puppy! She was asking if anyone had any home remedies, not asking for a lecture on what a horrible person you think she is!

My niece's bella had a uti over thanksgiving. The antibiotics were only like $2. I am not sure what kind they were, but I will try to find out. She is listed on this site as bellsmomok. You might ask her. You might try calling around and seeing if maybe you can just get the antibiotics without your puppy having to see the vet.

Good Luck!!!:) Don't beat yourself up and don't allow others to beat you up. They do not know your situation!

I just reread your other posts and realized that you are the poor thing that bought the Yorkie mix with all the health problems. I apologize if I was too harsh. I see you have already spent a fortune on this dog.

This is probably not what you want to hear, but I would really consider trying to return her to your breeder. It sounds like she is poorly bred and probably has liver disease. She very likely has other genetic "time bombs" that may not go off for years. My Lady was like that. She was perfectly healthy for four years until those bombs started going off. It was a new disease a year for quite awhile. First epilepsy, then diabetes, then severe inflammatory arthritis, hypothyroid, and the list goes on. It is so costly just to maintain a dog with health issues. Lady needs bloodwork done constantly, usually about every four months. I have to bring her in on Monday to get her levels checked on her seizure medications and a thyroid panel done. That will probably be about $200 - right before Christmas! I just spent $700 on her 2.5 months ago on bloodwork and emergency care for bloody diarrhea. Chronically ill dogs are money pits.

This most definately could be secondary to her possible liver issue. UTIs often accompany liver disease as do stones. You won't know if it is stones without testing... The stones common in this case don't show up on xray either, so she may end up needing an ultrasound. Some general vets do this but since liver disease is suspected, a shunt will be looked for at the same time (although that will likely be inconclusive) and only internists can do this. I'm sorry you're going through this. Liver compromised dogs can be extremely expensive. Hopefully it is nothing more than a simple UTI but there is really no good way to treat it at home. It should absolutely not cost $150 though. A $30-$40 visit with a urinalysis ($25) and antibiotics ($20)...

If your vet won't work with you, call another one. My daughter had to call several in our area one time to get one to work with her, which he did. She really needs to get in to the vets and get started on medicine

Well It is like this Im sorry that you are going through this i truly am and you dont deserve to have someone brow beating you.. However I know you have had a rough time since you got this puppy and i was just saying that maybe this is not the time for you to have one... You did not ask to get a sick puppy and the breeder should be standing behind you.. I have to say i have had some same issues as you... or my own .. Try to find a home for this little guy and then when you have your life in tact and extra money . get another one . I have a feeling that her problems are only going to get worse... Im sorry if i have affended you did not mean that at all... was trying to help you get out of a problem puppy..... Good luck...

I am sorry your going through this and please don't let the others comments make you feel like you can't own a dog. Yes emergencies happen and it's best to have money put away but not everyone can afford too and just because you may not be able to does not mean you can't be a good owner and have a pet! Alot of people have kids who shouldn't and they manage. I do have to say though that if this pup has so many medical problems it may be a good idea to think about possibly giving her back or finding her a rescue or somewhere where she can get the help she needs? I also suggest calling a few vets. My vet let me pay the next day or even sometimes if you talk to them they will charge you less, I have learned that they can work with you if you need them too. I don't have money put aside for my dog and she's cost me hundreds already but that doesn't mean I can't be a good owner? To save my dogs life I am willing to do what I have too but here in my City theres nowhere you can surrender your pet if you can't afford to pay and you want them to help your dog out, they will only put them to sleep :( stay strong. I think I may get bad remarks for this but if I was really desperate I would probably consider maybe going to a family doctor and getting some meds for a young child if it is possible and give al ittle amount. I know it's not right or some people think it isn't but my mom never had alot of money and she would do that sometimes with our cat and our dog, they always got better, if it was VERY important she would bring them in though.

I've had UTI's cost $150 .... and over $300 for one that was difficult to get rid of. :eek:

If the vet wants to do a sterile culture, that's expensive. If crystals are seen in the urine, your vet may want to do xrays for stones. My Siamese had a terrible UTI and the vet gave her a shot of prednisone and one for pain for $25 each.

I think it will be difficult to find a new vet who will see you without payment. You usually have to establish a relationship with any vet to have that option as most have a payment expected at the time of services policy.

I am so sorry you were sold such a sick dog by this breeder. :(

Since Tennessee has no puppy lemon laws, I'd consider filing a claim with small claims court. It sounds like she lied to you about your girl being a purebred and also sold you a sick dog. Did you get a contract with her? You may be able to get your purchase price refunded. With copies of your vet bills, you should be able to get reimbursed.

Tennessee Small Claims Court Information

Of course, that doesn't help you out right now. You still have the problem with treating her UTI and deciding if you can afford to keep her.

Ellie's UTI issues cost quite a bit when it wouldn't go away too but maybe if a sample is taken in and doesn't have to be taken by cysto and no culture is done for money reasons, the cost could be cut down...

To the original poster, have you called other vets in the area?

I would think that since her vet has seen the dog before he might give her a break and just test a sample she brings in and prescribe antibiotics. Some vets will insist you bring them in to make sure their is no blockage or stones, so you have an office visit on top of that.

As I said, here in North Carolina a simple UTI is about $100 minimum, $48 for the office visit, $25 for the labwork and $25 for the antibiotics. Many vets like to give a shot of antibiotics to start them out, another $25, and a shot for pain, another $25. Xrays to look for stones start at $100.

I spend a fortune on vet bills. :sad: