What I learned on Saturday

[BC_MoM]

Here is just a heads up to anyone whoever has a problem with a dog peeing and doesn't take care of it right away.

On Friday, Jersey kept squatting every 5 minutes. Sometimes nothing would come out, sometimes only dribbles.

Saturday she went to the vet. She had blood in her urine, a high protein count and high white blood cell count. There was a serious infection on the lining of her uterus, and bad bacteria were slothing.

You don't see this in young puppies. It is commonly seen in older dogs who then develop cancerous tumors.

Lesson is: urine problems are not something to take lightly.

Jersey is now taking 3 pills a day for 10 days. 2 urinalysis, the walk in fee ($50) and the pills came to $115. A lot less than if we had left it and she developed a tumor, which would then require surgery!

[Karen]

How scary - good thing you took her in!

[kallisto4529]

Oh no, you are so right!!!! I never let mine go when I see they are having difficutly or what appears to be, sometimes it is for nothing but most of the time, there is a real reason for it and it can be so much worse if not taken care of. Feel better.

[chocolatepuppy]

Poor Jersey. I hope she's better soon.

[Seravieve]

Glad you took her in! $115 is better than a tumor, for that you are right!
Im totally there with you.. if something is wrong, a vet visit is in order.

[Freedom]

Jersey, feel better quickly, OK sweetie?

Hugs to Mom, you ARE vigilant! Great job.

[dragondawg]

It is commonly seen in older dogs who then develop cancerous tumors.

Developing (or not developing) a tumor is not caused by a prior infection.

What could be said is that if undiagnosed cancer is present the immune system is very likely to be suppressed in geriatric dogs, which can lead to serious and repeated unexpected infections. In another words the presence of undiagnosed cancer can cause bacterial infections, but not the other way around. Of course cancer need not be involved as aging alone results in an immune system that is less responsive to disease, where opportunistic bacterial infections can arise.