Please pray for Layla

[Lindsey]

Layla is not doing well. I am having a hard time with this.

We took her a couple of weeks ago because we thought she had a UTI. I thought that for a long time actually, but Scott insisted she was fine. Her urine was dark and smelled bad, and finally I convinced him that we needed to take her in. It was bad, she had a lot of bacteria in her bladder. The vet said there were at least 5 kinds. She also had white blood cells and protein. I don't need that explained to me, when I have kidney problems myself. I know what's going on. We started antibiotics immediatly.

Today is her last day on her medicine, and everything seemed better. Her pee is not as dark and it smells pretty normal again. We took her in today for a follow-up.

It's not good. She still has tons of bacteria. She still has blood cells and protein. She also has renal something... I don't remember what she called it but she said it shows up as white squiggly lines.

So we had a choice. We could put her on stronger antibiotics, or we could flush out her system and have her off antibiotics for a week, and then take another sample and have a culture done to find out exactly what's going on. We're going to do the culture. The vet said it may be an issue of just having her on antibiotics every couple of months or weeks for the rest of her life. Her bladder walls may be thinner and more flaccid from all the expressing, and bacteria could be just living there in the walls.

I am so upset about all of this. I hope her kidneys aren't failing. I hope we can get rid of this. I am feeling defeated. I always lecture others with IVDD dogs about how UTIs can spiral out of control and turn serious and life-threatening and I am so mad at myself that I let it happen to my baby. I love her so much. The silver lining is at least she can't feel it. I'm sure it would be painful with any other dog.

Please pray that we can get rid of it. Layla has a lot of years left and we need her to be healthy.

[Janet]

Of course Lindsey, sending prayers now. We blame ourselves for everything, but how were you to know.

Same here, I kept putting Joey's teeth cleaning off even though they looked horrible. Finally when I touched his mouth he cried in pain so I immediately took him in for a cleaning. They were bad. On a scaled from 1-5 they were a 4. I was reading the info on the med sheet and it said that actually they pulled 3 teeth and 4 fell out while cleaning. There was also a lot of swelling, bacteria and when they flushed out where the teeth were, it was full of pus. He's on antibiotics and pain meds, but seems to be doing fine. I feel bad for me waiting too, but we can't always blame ourselves.

Sometimes there are circumstances we just don't do things right away.

Keeping Layla in my prayers.

[Lindsey]

Thanks Janet. Layla had a tooth pulled when she was only two and I felt so bad for that too! Kash and Lucy had terrible teeth as well and had a lot pulled but they are doing great now.

I think sometimes I just don't want to believe something is wrong. We've been through so much and I want to just keep believing that everything is fine. But the longer I do that, the harder it is when I have to face it.

[Blueyes]

I'm sorry Lindsey. Layla could not have any better parents than you and Scott. We all make mistakes with our children...human and dogs. I guess we have all taken our babies to the doctor and found out they have a double ear infection and throat infection, when we thought all they had was a runny nose and cough. You just never know with a kid/dog that can't talk. We all just do the best we can. Don't be so hard on yourself Lindsey Loo. Layla will get better

[JJJ]

Poor Layla

It's not your fault at all. We all hope those little things go away on their own. I think your a great mommy for not letting it slide any longer. Maybe next time don't ask Scott just go with your maternal instinct. You know how man hate going to doctors visits.

Sending positive thoughts and energy to you and Layla. XOXO

[gja1000]

Oh Lindsey, there could not be a better mom than you. You have done so much to make her life happy and the best it could be. You cannot possibly know everything that is going on with her and I would think the same thing that the urine would clear up. I bet she will be fine with the antibiotics and I don't think it will be a bad thing for her to have to take them off and on for the rest of her life. My mom has to take an antibiotic every night to prevent a urinary track infection.

[Lindsey]

Thank you guys so much. I am feeling a little better about it all now. The vet thinks she may have a resistance to the antibiotic she was taking, and I think she said the culture will probably let them know exactly what will work, instead of just trying things until they work. We will see I guess! The one thing I am thankful for is that she can't feel it and she doesn't know anything is wrong. She is barking at her brother and eating and drinking like normal. I wonder if this is what made Kash start standing up to her more. When he first came, I was sure Layla was going to end up being the alpha, but then he started coming into the bathroom while we were expressing her, and he'd be sniffing at the toilet as she was peeing. He obviously knew she had an infection before we did! Maybe that said to him that she is weak and he should be at the top.

[gja1000]

Yes Lindsey, I think that is what is wrong, she was resistant to the antibiotics. The culture is actually a culture and sensitivity. They will culture the urine to identify the type of bacteria and then test the bacteria to see which antibiotic it is sensitive to (which antibiotic will kill it). When she gets the right antibiotic, she will be OK.

[Lindsey]

Thank you Gayle! You've made me feel better about it. I have faith that we can get it under control.

[DianaB]

I'm praying for little Layla. You've done everything you can for her......over and above!! She's in good hands!!!

[judy]

Sweet little Layla does not need any problems! I just know that she will be fine. Your vet sounds wonderful, and you and Scott wil be sure she is okay.

[JJJ]

You know Lindsey I have two alphas in my house so you will see them taking turns on who's on top of the other. But they always stick up for each other.

Let us know how the cultures come out.

[judy]

How is Layla doing?

[Lindsey]

We found out on Friday that the results were back and she has 4 kinds of bacteria, including e. coli, but is only resistant to penicillin. We got 10 days of amoxycillin which we will start tonight. Hopefully this clears it up, and we can stay on top of it from now on.

[Janet]

That's great news to know what you are dealing with and that she can get better.