Worth getting a second opinion

stewie_griffin

Hi


A couple of weeks ago we noticed a little bit of blood in our 4 year old female Pug's urine.


We took her to the vets and after examining her they diagnosed a potential infection and prescribed some antibiotics. We gave her the full dose of these for 2 weeks but the symptoms didn't clear up so we took her back. They then asked for a urine sample to check for crystals but this came back clear (as in for crystals, they obviously found traces of blood and also quite a lot of protein).


They've now re-diagnosed the problem as being bladder stone(s) and want to do an ultrasound scan to see how to proceed with treatment. This will cost over £400 based on the quote we've been given so I wanted to check peoples opinions on whether it's worth going to another vet to get a second opinion. We're happy to pay for the ultrasound but since their original diagnosis was wrong we've obviously now got doubts about the new diagnosis.


Any opinions would be welcome.

fairymoneysaver

You say the original diagnosis was wrong but how would you have felt if the vet went straight in and said that they needed to check for bladder stones with a £400 ultrasound and it turned out to be an infection?

Blood in urine can be from a number of causes, a common one being a bladder infection so it would make sense to treat as an infection first. Sadly it didn't clear your dogs problem so they now have to investigate further hence the ultrasound. The only other thing I can think of is if the vet sends the urine off to check if there is in fact an infection as the original antibiotics may not have been the correct ones to clear it. If there is a stone and it's small I believe it can be treated with a urinary diet to dissolve the stone, if it is larger I expect they will want to operate.

Hope you get to the bottom of the problem

stewie_griffin

Thanks for the reply fairymoneysaver.


I agree with what you say and since bladder infections are fairly common in dogs it made sense to try antibiotics first.


I just didn't know whether it would be of any value whatsoever to get a second opinion. We want to get it sorted as soon as possible for my dog's sake and we've already got an ultrasound appointment booked in on Thursday.

elsien

My question to your vets would be what difference the ultrasound would make to the treatment plan.
Back in the dim and distant past (ultra sound not offered) when my dog had bladder stones, they just operated to get them out.
So have you talked through the reasons for the ultra sound and the treatment options with or without it? I'd do that before considering a possible second opinion.

*Robin*

I would add Organic Apple Cider Vinegar to the dog's diet and increase water intake, also [in this case] give probiotics to repair damage to gut flora caused by antibiotics.

Pop_Up_Pirate

*Robin* wrote: »

I would add Organic Apple Cider Vinegar to the dog's diet and increase water intake, also [in this case] give probiotics to repair damage to gut flora caused by antibiotics.

I agree.
And don't feed the dog grain based foods.

Red-Squirrel_2

Is your dog not insured? I'm sure you're aware that pugs are very prone to lots of serious health problems, so would recommend you get it in place as soon as possible.

KxMx

Insurance now is a good idea, but the bladder issue, and anything an insurer connects, will now not be covered.

stewie_griffin

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

Is your dog not insured? I'm sure you're aware that pugs are very prone to lots of serious health problems, so would recommend you get it in place as soon as possible.

That's another story!

She did have insurance until very recently but I allowed it to lapse. It's completely my fault so I need to suffer the financial consequences. I'll be taking out some again once we've sorted this issue out.

stewie_griffin

Pop_Up_Pirate wrote: »

I agree.
And don't feed the dog grain based foods.

I've always fed her on grain free food.