Geordie....recheck for stones

[iamwhoiam]

Today was Geordie's 3 month recheck with his internal medicine specialist. She does an ultrasound and sometimes a urinalysis. This time only an ultrasound was done and I am very very happy that Geordie had no stones. He goes back again in 3 months for another recheck.

However, he has been having some recurrent diarrhea. His regular vet had him on an antibiotic regimen for about 10 days and he gets endosorb as needed. Had a fecal and no parasites or other issues found. Previous blood work showed mild pancreatitis. No diarrhea for about 2 weeks but it started again on Friday. He was OK yesterday but a bit of diarrhea this AM before we left for the vet's office today. While we were in the exam room and I was talking to the vet about the results of the ultrasound and also about the diarrhea he was crying a lot and was very squirrely. Should have realized why. Diarrhea again. Vet prescribed an antibiotic to be taken as needed. Possible recurrent inflammation which is causing the issue. May be related to his age. Perhaps, too, he has developed some sensitivity to his medications, both of which have diarrhea as a possible side effect.

 

[faislaq]

Today was Geordie's 3 month recheck with his internal medicine specialist. She does an ultrasound and sometimes a urinalysis. This time only an ultrasound was done and I am very very happy that Geordie had no stones. He goes back again in 3 months for another recheck.

However, he has been having some recurrent diarrhea. His regular vet had him on an antibiotic regimen for about 10 days and he gets endosorb as needed. Had a fecal and no parasites or other issues found. Previous blood work showed mild pancreatitis. No diarrhea for about 2 weeks but it started again on Friday. He was OK yesterday but a bit of diarrhea this AM before we left for the vet's office today. While we were in the exam room and I was talking to the vet about the results of the ultrasound and also about the diarrhea he was crying a lot and was very squirrely. Should have realized why. Diarrhea again. Vet prescribed an antibiotic to be taken as needed. Possible recurrent inflammation which is causing the issue. May be related to his age. Perhaps, too, he has developed some sensitivity to his medications, both of which have diarrhea as a possible side effect.

Poor Geordie. Our Jixny get stones sometimes & used to have UTIs 3-4 times a year until her vet had us start giving her a urinary acidifier called Methigel. Jix is a big Dane mix, but even the 1 tsp per day seems to irritate her, so I've been giving her 1 tsp Monday, Wed & Friday and she hasn't had a UTI in 2 years now. (Yay!) Not sure which meds Geordie is on, maybe Methigel could be an option? One $10-12 tube lasts us more than a month, maybe 2? I order it on Amazon when we get low.

ps It's a stinky, sticky brown goo that they love to lick off of a spoon but it's really easy to get them to take it.

 

[saroj12]

Awww. Poor Geordie. Hope his stomach settles soon.

 

[AkasyaEllric]

Poor guy, I hope he starts feeling better soon!

 

[iamwhoiam]

@faislaq He doesn't have a UTI, just recurrent stones, calcium oxalate to be exact. These generally form in acidic urine so he gets potassium citrate which alkanizes the urine. We try to keep his urine at a neutral pH. Too much alkaline can lead to the creation of struvite stones. He's also on a special diet and gets hydrochlorothiazide, B6 and cranberry extract.
Sorry about Jixny and the UTIs but great that the Methigel helps.

Thanks all. I'm hoping that the Metronidazole and the Endosorb will help. He also gets probiotics daily.

 

[Ankou]

I'm glad to hear there were no stones but sorry about the other troubles. I hope something gives him some relief soon.

 

[faislaq]

Ah, wasn't sure what kind of stones he gets; Jix gets struvite stones. I hope his poor body balances back out. Hugs for both of you. That's so frustrating.

 

[iamwhoiam]

Ah, wasn't sure what kind of stones he gets; Jix gets struvite stones. I hope his poor body balances back out. Hugs for both of you. That's so frustrating.

Struvite can usually be dissolved. Is Jix on a special diet or just the Methigel?
Geordie's has had five or six urohydropropulsion voidings. He had 2 small stones a few mos. ago but vet waited a week and at recheck just one was seen so she had me wait another week and when we went back there were no stones. His original internal medicine specialist suggested standing him up when he pees and his regular vet recommended tapping on his abdomen in the area of the bladder. I think this helped with the voiding. Since the last recheck I do the tapping and stand him up every few days.

 

[faislaq]

Jix just gets the Methigel & so far that's working for her with no special diet.

Poor Geordie is very lucky to have such an aytentive and willing caregiver. You're amazing!

 

[TikiMyn]

Ahw, poor boy! I hope he is going to be okay!

 

[iamwhoiam]

The stone thing started January 2013. Told his primary vet that I wanted to go with a procedure that was the least invasive and he found a wonderful internal medicine specialist for Geordie. Very experienced in lithotripsy, voiding urohydropropulsion, interventional radiology. Unfortunately the lithotripsy wasn't 100% so she did have to make a small incision to get to the remaining stones. Since that time he goes in every month, 2 mos. or 3 mos. for a recheck. When stones are found in bladder, depending on size and number, they may or may not do the hydropropulsion. Sometimes wait a week and the stones get voided without any intervention. His original internal med specialist moved back to Canada so we switched to someone else who then went out on maternity leave (wasn't always too happy with her any way) and so now he is seeing another specialist and I will stick with her.
Geordie's a trooper. He is getting older and I am always very concerned about any procedure so it's great when no stones are found or, if they are found but are still small he then has the chance to void them on his own. He had a dental prophy done a few mos. ago and I was very nervous due to the anesthesia but it needed to be done. Poor guy had one tooth extracted but other teeth are in excellent shape.

No dripping diarrhea yesterday or today so very happy about that.

 

[camelotshadow]

Glad the stones are under control. Could be issue with the antibiodics messing wit the natural gut flora...

 

[iamwhoiam]

Probably a genetic thing. Bichon Frises are one of the breeds prone to getting stones.