Jude, My Standard Poodle No better.

[DawnCt1]

Seven days ago I took Jude to a local vet for a canine flu shot and asked him to examine him for urinary frequency and urgency that had developed over the previous week. He had frank blood in his urine when I collected a specimen. I didn't like the vet. He called him "she". Now Jude doesn't care about personal pronouns EXCEPT when evaluating a dog that was neutered later in life, SEX is an issue. He never did a rectal exam. Never felt his prostate or urethra.He did a CBC and Chem profile, sent a urine and the next day he said he had a UTI and put him on an antibiotic. I ordered some urine multi test stix so I could check his progress, although here, on day seven, I didn't need to dip the urine to see the blood that is still there. I took him to my vet today, which I should have done originally, but I did want to wait to see if he responded to the antibiotic. He did a rectal exam, his prostate is enlarged and his urethra is inflamed, although he couldn't feel any stones. He is scheduled for an pelvic and chest xray on Monday and an ultrasound on Thursday. Dr. G. didn't want to wait until Thursday. He gave him a steroid shot to see if he could calm his urethra down. Changed him to a "better antibiotic". Jude has lost 5 pounds since August so that is concerning. Hopefully, I can fatten him up by adding canned food to his kibble.

 

[glitterkittyy]

Seven days ago I took Jude to a local vet for a canine flu shot and asked him to examine him for urinary frequency and urgency that had developed over the previous week. He had frank blood in his urine when I collected a specimen. I didn't like the vet. He called him "she". Now Jude doesn't care about personal pronouns EXCEPT when evaluating a dog that was neutered later in life, SEX is an issue. He never did a rectal exam. Never felt his prostate or urethra.He did a CBC and Chem profile, sent a urine and the next day he said he had a UTI and put him on an antibiotic. I ordered some urine multi test stix so I could check his progress, although here, on day seven, I didn't need to dip the urine to see the blood that is still there. I took him to my vet today, which I should have done originally, but I did want to wait to see if he responded to the antibiotic. He did a rectal exam, his prostate is enlarged and his urethra is inflamed, although he couldn't feel any stones. He is scheduled for an pelvic and chest xray on Monday and an ultrasound on Thursday. Dr. G. didn't want to wait until Thursday. He gave him a steroid shot to see if he could calm his urethra down. Changed him to a "better antibiotic". Jude has lost 5 pounds since August so that is concerning. Hopefully, I can fatten him up by adding canned food to his kibble.

I'm sorry to hear he's not any better. I'm so glad your vet is handling Jude's care now. I hope you get some answers soon.

 

[NMAmy]

Hope he's doing better soon, Dawn!

 

[luvwinnie]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear this. Prayers for Jude!

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

How in the world does a veterinarian make a mistake about a dog's sex?

 

[Jockaroo]

Sorry Jude isn't improving. If he isn't eating well now, it is possible the the antibiotics are affecting his appetite. I highly recommend giving him a probiotic supplement if you aren't. Probios (http://www.probios.com/) is good as is Fortiflora by Purina (http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com/CanineProductDetail.aspx?prod=244). Fortiflora is available only through the vet.

To try to stimulate his appetite, you can add some warm water to his kibble. This makes it smell stronger. When my elderly Scottie went off his food and while we were trying to figure out what was wrong, we used some of the Merrick canned foods. You may wish to check into this. Good luck. An ultra sound can tell so much. If he has never had an ultra sound, be prepared--he will be shaved.

 

[Keli]

I'm sorry to hear Jude's not feeling well. I enjoy looking at the pics you've put up of him. He's beautiful dog. Hope he's feeling better soon.

 

[robinb]

I didn't know that Jude was ill! I hope that your vet can figure out what the problem is and it it soon. I know that a late spay can effect female dogs, does a late neuter effect male dogs?

 

[adkkev]

just curious why the x-rays are scheduled for next week ... why didn't your vet have x-rays taken right away?

 

[mamamary]

I hope that Jude starts feeling better soon.

 

[JessicaR]

I was wondering how Jude was doing. I am hoping he starts feeling better soon.

 

[DawnCt1]

How in the world does a veterinarian make a mistake about a dog's sex?

Good question. I reminded him that Jude is a boy and that he was neutered late in life so he could have prostate problems.

I didn't know that Jude was ill! I hope that your vet can figure out what the problem is and it it soon. I know that a late spay can effect female dogs, does a late neuter effect male dogs?

A late neuter can predispose male dogs to prostate problems and even cancer.

Sorry Jude isn't improving. If he isn't eating well now, it is possible the the antibiotics are affecting his appetite. I highly recommend giving him a probiotic supplement if you aren't. Probios (http://www.probios.com/) is good as is Fortiflora by Purina (http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com/CanineProductDetail.aspx?prod=244). Fortiflora is available only through the vet.

To try to stimulate his appetite, you can add some warm water to his kibble. This makes it smell stronger. When my elderly Scottie went off his food and while we were trying to figure out what was wrong, we used some of the Merrick canned foods. You may wish to check into this. Good luck. An ultra sound can tell so much. If he has never had an ultra sound, be prepared--he will be shaved.

I thought I have some in the house. If I can't find it, I will ask on Monay.

just curious why the x-rays are scheduled for next week ... why didn't your vet have x-rays taken right away?

He didn't feel a stone and he wants him NPO after midnight, in case he has to sedate him to get a good picture. By then, we will know if the change in antibiotic and the steroid injection worked. The ultrasound person is in on Thursday. Poodles are very stoic. They have to be really sick to show they are sick.

 

[robinb]

A late neuter can predispose male dogs to prostate problems and even cancer.

That's what I was thinking. Female dogs who are spayed late are also predisposed to cancer. I hope that is not the case with your beautiful boy! I'm sending good thoughts your way.

 

[Feralpeg]

Sorry to hear Jude is not feeling better, Dawn. Hope he improves quickly.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I forgot to say I hope he feels better soon because I was so shocked at the vet just not noticing that body part on a STANDARD poodle although I had a waitress a couple of months ago tell me that she has a wolf and once, HE escaped and the vet's office called her about it and told her "we have your dog....SHE'S so beautiful" so I guess it happens.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Sending good thoughts for Jude.

 

[minkydog]

Poodles are very stoic. They have to be really sick to show they are sick.

Isn't that the truth! Minky is 9-1/2 now, but he still tries to act like a puppy. He's got a lot of arthritis in his hips and knees, but he still makes a grand effort to hoist himself into the SUV(andhe looks so disgusted when I have to lift his behind into the car!) But he would rather explode than cry out.

Dawn, I wonder if Jude might have an upset stomach, too, from all the antibiotics. Recently we had a bad bout of GI upset with Minky. As we were trying to get things under control my DH decided to try some plain yogurt. I was really surprised at how much that helped. . Perhaps a half cup of yogurt might help.

Hope this turns out to be something simple and fixable. These old gentelmen are such good boys.

 

[momof1princess]

any updates? is jude feeling any better?

 

[Tiggeroo]

I am sorry and hope he starts to do better. I love standard poodles. When my cat was very sick and wasn't eating we had to do things to stimulate her appetite. We had a high calorie vitamin goo that we rubbed on her feet and she would lick it off, getting in some calories. We had to give her injections to keep her fluid up.

 

[LoraJ]

I hope he feels better soon!