In a situation

[blacklab]

A couple of weeks back, my 3.5 year old lab recently woke me up one night and started to whine. I understood he wanted to go out and I did take him out and he peed. That night he wanted to go out every hour or so. The next morning I collected a urine sample and immediately took him to the vet. The vet said he had microscopic blood in the urine. An X-ray was also taken to see if he had any kidney stones. The X-ray came out negative and hence the vet decided it was urinary tract infection and put him on amoxicillin for two weeks.

After two weeks, today being the second day he is off the meds, this evening he started to whine and wanted me to take him out to pee. I'm a bit concerned. I'm to travel overseas this later this week for 3 weeks. I'm unable to decide what to do now. The vet has boarding facilities but it is unmanned from 7pm - 8 am (13 hours). If he wants to pee, there won't be any one to let him out. If I board him at the place where he usually goes to daycare, I'm not sure if they will pay him the extra attention he deserves. I'm not sure if they will pay close attention to his urinary habits/ frequencies. I'm unable to find a good combination manned boarding 24 hours + vet support nearby.

I'm hoping its nothing serious and maybe a case of recurring UTI. I'm feeling a bit upset/ depressed with the situation. Any words of advice/ suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Snowshoe]

I think ideally someone he knows and you trust to come stay at your house would be best.

What about a different boarding facility? One we use has rooms for the dogs attached to a dog door so the can go to an outside run, their run only, to bathroom. I think they shut the doors at night but the dogs are in a room where they can bathroom if they have to and not sleep in it. I'd want someone checking my dog though, I like my first idea best.

Could you pay someone from your daycare to take him to their home? I'm supposing everyone who works at a doggy day care has their own dog to look after.

Bring their dog with them to your house? You need someone checking your house anyway for insurance purposes.

[JenC]

I am assuming the vet is actually testing for a UTI right? I have never done an xray looking for kidney stones when I suspected a UTI. I'd probably bring in another urine sample, have them test it and possibly see about a stronger antibiotic.

I'd probably opt for the day care where the dog has more of a chance to pee vs. having to hold hit 13 hours.

[Labradorks]

I agree with JenC.

[smartrock]

There are a number of members from MD on here. If you tell us where you are approximately, maybe someone can give you a suggestion for boarding. I don't think we can do private messages until you have 10 posts. I'm sure this is worrisome for you.

[Doreen Davis]

I would have the urine tested. Amoxicillin has a fairly narrow spectrum and it may not have hit the bug. I would go the extra mile and have the urine cultured and test sensitivity to the drug go make sure it is in fact a UTI and explain that it's because you are going away. I trust our boarding facility to keep a good eye but I'd want it diagnosed for sure before you leave.

[blacklab]

The whining increased and it was clear he was in some pain and discomfort. So took him to the emergency vet last a few hours ago. At the vet place he owed in the reception area and it was bloody. The emergency vet recommended that we have an ultrasound done tomorrow at the regular vet. Also for a urine culture, she asked us to wait 5 days since the last medication. She sent us home with some pain meds.

I will be calling the regular vet to make an appointment as wood as they open at 8. Hopefully nothing serious. As far as the boarding is concerned, I'm planning to board him at the daycare place that is manned 24 hours a day. I requested my neighbor to check on him frequently at the boarding place.

[Maxx&Emma]

It is not unusual for one antibiotic to not work on a UTI and I personally wouldn't feel comfortable waiting 5 days to treat with something different, JMHO. You might want to get some cranberry caps for him as well, (the human ones, fruit concentrate, not juice concentrate!). I feel so bad you have to be away for that length of time before he is 100%, I know I would be a mess. The idea of having a friend or family member that can check on him is a very good one. Sending good thoughts for your boy.

[SunDance]

Where are you in Maryland?

If you don't want to reveal that and are in the Ellicott City/Columbia/Clarksville area, I heartily recommend that you give the following place a call. They're very well respected...used by quite a few people that I know personally; the one co-owner I meet in the park quite often comes across as extremely responsible as well as dog/people friendly. They have a good reputation with our vet's office.

MD Pet Daddy - Home

[blacklab]

I live in Ellicott City. I just took him to the regular vet and they asked me to come back in the evening and pick him up. The plan is to draw a sterile urine sample and also do an ultrasound to see if there are any major issues. The vet said that the ultrasound results should come back tomorrow. Hoping that it will come back clean.

Thanks for providing the MDpetdaddy contact info. If the ultrasound comes clean I plan to board him at the regular place and make my trip. If (hoping its not the case) something bothersome comes up, I will cancel my trip.