Well, it's been four weeks on a strong course of antibiotics and Ruby is still not recovered from her latest UTI. She is still incontinent after exercise, and the last few days has been getting depressed and quiet again.
So, I rang our lovely vet and we have an ultrasound and cystocentesis scheduled for next week. He said that we have to have another look as her last x-ray (that showed no stones) was in November last year, and he wants to do an ultrasound this time to make sure none have developed and also check to see if part of the problem is an ectopic ureter.
He doesn't want these constant infections to start affecting her kidneys, and so I said we'd just had enough of conservative measures and it was time to get to the bottom of things. She may require surgery or long-term medication for her incontinence. At the very least I'm anticipating a complete dietary change (we already acidify her food but I don't think that's enough) and more meds.
I don't like the idea of long-term antibiotics though - I'd rather get to the heart of the problem and fix it.
Not only this, but Chester has been having panic attacks lately, and so we are getting a behavourist in for him as well. I have been working with him but I think it's a case of `doctors shouldn't treat their own families'. I'd like to get someone in who doesn't know him as well as I do to work with me on his anxiety. I think an outside perspective would be helpful.
Will keep you posted on them both!
So, I rang our lovely vet and we have an ultrasound and cystocentesis scheduled for next week. He said that we have to have another look as her last x-ray (that showed no stones) was in November last year, and he wants to do an ultrasound this time to make sure none have developed and also check to see if part of the problem is an ectopic ureter.
He doesn't want these constant infections to start affecting her kidneys, and so I said we'd just had enough of conservative measures and it was time to get to the bottom of things. She may require surgery or long-term medication for her incontinence. At the very least I'm anticipating a complete dietary change (we already acidify her food but I don't think that's enough) and more meds.
I don't like the idea of long-term antibiotics though - I'd rather get to the heart of the problem and fix it.
Not only this, but Chester has been having panic attacks lately, and so we are getting a behavourist in for him as well. I have been working with him but I think it's a case of `doctors shouldn't treat their own families'. I'd like to get someone in who doesn't know him as well as I do to work with me on his anxiety. I think an outside perspective would be helpful.
Will keep you posted on them both!