Poorly boy...

[Lynne Murray Hogsflesh]

My young dog, who is only 2 years of age, has just started to have great difficulty 'wee-ing' over the weekend & has had to be catheterised 3 times now to empty his bladder. His urine isn't too acidic or alkaline, tests negative for blood, or crystals or bacteria, a little protein in there but not so much that it worries the vet. He is desperate to go to the loo but just manages a dribble or two.....in an older dog the vet says she would immediately suspect prostrate trouble but apparently this is really rare in such a young dog & on palpation it feels normal size not enlarged. She has also ruled out stones in his urethra as she can pass the catheter very easily so there doesn't seem to be any mechanical blockage or excessive inflammation which has closed it down. He is currently on antibiotics & anti-inflammatorys but I just wondered whether anyone else has experienced such symptoms in a young dog? Any advice welcome.

[Susan Stone]

Very sorry to hear of your trouble. I'm afraid I can not help. Unless... are there many bitches in season around?

We are experiencing the same problem but with our very senior lady Shannon.

Wishing him a speedy recovery.

[Linda Baldry]

Hi Lynn, wondered whether they had done ultrasound, as I had a dog at my vets recently with a similar problem and it was a stone, which showed up on the scan, it obvioulsly went backwards and forwards hence causing a blockage, my vet was able to make a small incission and remove it, the dog is now on a urinary diet, and is doing very well. Hope you solve the problem soon, take care x Linda.

[Melinda Auld]

I haven't experienced anything like this, but wanted to wish your dog lots of "get well" vibes. Could it be some sort of paralysis causing it? Could he have been bitten by something?

[Rita Pike]

Hi Lynne
Hope Fizz gets well soon. One of my dogs had this same problem but he was 7 years old.
Good luck with him - love Rita x

[Myra Thomas-Rhodes]

Cannot offer any advice, but wishing him a speedy recovery. Always such a worry when they are sick.
Best Wishes,
Myra .

[ereni]

I cross my fingers and hope your problems will be solved very soon!

[Lynne Murray Hogsflesh]

Thank you all for your suggestions & good wishes; Fizz is due back at vet's again tomorrow & she wants to shoot some dye into his bladder & x-ray him for stones......so you might have hit the nail on the head Linda! I also spoke to the docs in the hospital here & they too thought that perhaps a stone did originally get lodged in his urethra & that the vet pushed it back up whilst passing the catheter, thus moving it to a place that doesn't cause him pain but still blocks the flow of uring a bit. Fingers crossed all will be cured soon. Great to have so much goodwill from our setter community around the world....I'll give him a hug from you all xxx

[Lynne Murray Hogsflesh]

Hi everyone, thought I'd give you all an update on my Fizz. He has now had x-rays & contrast x-rays (with special dye), ultrasound & full urine & blood analysis......he has no stones in either his bladder or urethra, no enlargement of his prostrate, no urinary tract infection or cystitis & his blood is normal in all respects. The only abnormal finding was that his bladder was twice the size it should have been for a dog of his size & age. The vets suggested that he have an indwelling catheter for a few days to give his bladder & bladder muscles a chance to rest. So he had a Foley catheter inserted & left in situ for 4 days....it has now been taken out and I'm delighted to say that Fizz is managing to wee normally again. The only worrying aspect is that since the vets don't know what caused it this time, the problem may re-occur. Fingers crossed this doesn't happen to my lovely boy. Unfortunately he won't be back in the show-ring for a bit as loads of his coat has been shaved off during his various assessments & treatments.