Urine problems and diet change

[linz06]

Good news:

The sitter got the hang of expressing! She got Layla to pee twice on Friday. Things seem to be going well!
And there are no more crystals in Layla's urine! None at all!

Bad news:
There is still a ton of protein in her urine, meaning there may be a kidney problem (I know all about this... I have kidney problems myself).
And there is still a little bit of bacteria but the vet does not want her on more antibiotics, saying that bacteria is just being flushed out of her system now. Does that make sense? I am worried that since there is still some bacteria, it will grow into more bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotics we've been giving her.

Anyways, the vet said she did not want to run us up a huge bill, so we could wait to find out about kidney function. I said absolutely not, if something is going on, I want to know NOW before it gets worse. So she tried to poke Layla's back leg, but she kind of wrecked a vein and blood was everywhere Layla's leg had to be wrapped to stop the bleeding. So the vet said those veins are too tiny and she'd have to do her neck. I could not deal with that so Scott had to hold Layla still while the vet poked with the needle, and Layla freaked out and she fell and the needle went all the way in her neck. I was feeling so lightheaded by then! I had to sit in the corner. I am not good with needles, even when it's not me.

I said screw it, Layla is booked for a dental cleaning on the 1st, and they can try to get a blood sample then. She had just been through too much and was too stressed out by that point.

I also want to get a second opinion about her bladder. Why not just keep her on antibiotics until the infection is gone COMPLETELY?

[Ellie May]

I agree with you. That doesn't sound right.

A tech needs to restrain for a jugular draw. And I'd do the blood before the day of the cleaning..because if the kidneys are really under stress, is your current vet going to be able to handle the anesthesia for that?

[ladyjane]

Lindsey, I don't want to trash your vet...but, seriously, does she not have any techs?? Why are you having to hold Layla for labs? Taking it from the neck is the easiest and fastest way.....I just took two in today and it was done in no time! I sat and watched.

As for the UTI....I have to ask if a C&S with MIC has been done? That is the only way the vet will know what antibiotic will clear up the infection. We did that with Gabby. She still gets UTIs ... it is just going to be that way...but at least the horrible one is now cleared up. I feel so sad that Layla is showing protein in her urine. I hope they can do something to help her out.

[ladyjane]

I agree with Ellie May...I would not let the vet do anesthesia without labs first. You really need to know what her levels are prior to anesthesia. I do that routinely with all of my pups when they have dentals.

[linz06]

She does have a tech but I believe she's on holidays, which is why she wanted Scott or I to hold her. She said it will be easier when the tech comes back.

As for the dental, she said she would do the bloodwork in the morning, and then probably do the cleaning late afternoon if the bloodwork is okay. Does that seem like a normal time frame? I think that is how it worked when I had Layla's tooth pulled years ago (different vet). She had bloodwork in the morning, anesthetic in the afternoon, and I picked her up in the evening.

If Layla is having kidney problems, I'd like to see a nutritionist to see how we can change her diet (again!!) to help. With my own problems, my doctor is very into vitamins and healthy eating to fix problems, and adding vitamin D and more exercise actually brought my protein levels from 289 (300 is early stage kidney failure) to 29. So I really do believe diet can help! I just want to know right now what we're dealing with before I take the next step.

I am just determined to get Layla healthy again. She deserves it.

[Ellie May]

That is fine to do blood in the morning and a dental in the afternoon under normal circumstances. This would mean that blood is being ran in-house though. Sometimes it's more expensive this way and it is not as accurate. Unless it's an emergency, all of my dogs' labs are sent out.

I'm just not sure it's going to be okay in this case because she will see the results and then make a quick decision about whether an elective dental is safe or not. If those values are at all off, wouldn't you want to talk to an IMS or nephrologist first? Or at least have a talk about management and such? ..because even with perfect bloods, there is a ton of protein in the urine and that's not a good sign a lot of times. Diagnostic imaging may end up being warranted, etc. I'll do the blood, get the results, and plan your next step carefully.

[ladyjane]

I would definitely want the labs done prior...not on the same day, in house. And, as Ellie May says, it is more expensive....but my main concern would be that a decision was being made hastily as she suggested.

As for diet, that is definitely extremely important in kidney disease. There are prescription foods but you could also home cook...but as you said, a nutritionist is important. I would seek the advice of a board certified vet nutritionist.