Im worried. I recently collected my flatcoated retriever puppy from his breeder and after 4 days had to take him to the vet as he was not weeing properly and he also had some blood in his urine. He has had a course of antibiotics and all seems well, yesterday I returned to the vet for a check up and although my vet was very nice did say that it was most unusual for a puppy this young to have had a urine infection and he was concerned that it may have been caused by somesort of defect in my puppy's urinary tract. Has anybody here experienced anything like this and could you tell me what to expect( I suppose what I mean is, is it life threatening) I have been told just to keep an eye on his wee and go straight back to the vet should it reocure. Other than this he is perfect, a joy to be with and full of life. Sarah

Hello Sarah

Firstly, congratulations on your new puppy - hope you have many years of fun.

Where do you live? May seem a silly question, but if you're living abroad, there is a incidence of a kidney problem (particularly in Scandinavia) which , luckily, we have a very low incidence of in the UK. I'm not sure of the age it affects, so will look it up for you, but think you're pretty unlikely to have it.

I have also heard of kidney stones in a very young flatcoat pup, which, it was suggested at the time (some 13 years ago now) was possibly due to the formulation of the puppy feed - it was in the fairly early days of feeding very high protein complete feeds to pups.

I should go by your vet's advice to keep a close eye on the situation if he's fine in other ways.

If you would like to e-mail me, I can look things up and fill you in on anything I feel might help

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Jo,

Sarah has got her email addy and general location in her profile :)

Fiona
x x x

Thank you for your reply, I live in Hampshire ( England), I am hoping that this is nothing serious, but I cant help being a little concerned at the moment. I gather from your name that you have more than one flatcoat, I only have the one at the moment, but I can see that changing in the future. Jack is just great, loves to learn, very eager to please and is the most addorable, affectionate little thing I have ever come across. The kidney stones thing you mentioned, do you know what the treatment might be for that condition? it being related to feeding is of concern, I am feeding my puppy Beta Puppy which is what the breeder was feeding him what do you think, is this food any good. Sarah

Hi mason,

I have no knowledge of the issue you mention but can understand how you feel and why you are a bit worried.

I just want to mention that it is very important to talk to the puppy's breeder about this as he/she may have experience of this and at the least they should know there has been a problem, small or not.

You may have already done so and if you have just ignore me.

I hope your puppy will be fine and good luck with him.

BFN

Pam

Hi Sarah (again)

I've been looking everywhere for the article I wanted, but you know how it is sometimes......I will find it!

Has the blood cleared up with the antibiotic now? If so, I think I shold relax a little (but still keep watching, of course). The Beta puppy is one of the 'cooler' puppy foods, so should normally be OK, and I wouldn't rush to change, as they can be so easily upset at this age. I would definitely tell his breeder - I would want to know if it were me.

When he's had his jabs. should love to see him - I live NE Hants/Surrey border. We have a very active Surrey Flatcoat group which is great fun.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

thank you both Pam and Jo, I have notified the breeder of the problem and she kindly said that I could return him if I wanted to. But for me this is not an option I want to take as he is very much loved member of my family now and with any breed there is bound to be trips to the vet at some point. thank you for going to the trouble of looking for the info it is greatly appreciated Jo. I would love to come and visit you with Jack and you do not seem to far away from where we are so maybe I could contact you once Jack has had his jabs and then you could see him. What sort of things do you do within you group, sounds interesting, I think Jack could benifit from an activities group in the future and I dont Know of any that are closer to us. Is your group just for flatcoats or is it any breed. Jacks urine has been clear for about five days now so the antibiotic seems to have done its job(fingers crossed). He is a lovely lad, nice natured but playful with it, thanks again for your help. Sarah

well its back to the vets tomorrow, Jack is straining to urinate again. maybe course of antibiotics was not long enough. who knows. poor little mite, sleeping with me tonight, more for my comfort I think. Sarah

One of my breeders puppies had a problem urinating and the uretha opening wasn't big enough and was in a different spot, it turned out that he had a mild hypospadias. She had him operated on and the little guy is doing good.

thanks Dollface, thats another option would that cause infection, I suppose thinking about it it would, maybe with urine retention. anyway were off to the vets for a check up now, he doesnt seem to bad this morning though. thanks again. Sarah

I'm just going to have another dig for that article, Sarah

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

back from the vets, it was packed out this morning. vet seems to think that Jacks course of antibiotics was not long enough( only 5 days ) so we have some more now. I also took a sample with me just in case the vet wanted to send some of for tests. which he is now going to do, and also blood tests. Other than that Jack seems to be fine, still eating, still playing and generally fit and healthy. thank you Jo for looking for me, I do appreciate it very much. off now to go play with my little mate, as he wants my attention, chewing my trainer as i type. Sarah

HI, I hate to be the harbinger of doom but I would defnately change his diet from the one you are feeding. I have heard of kidney problems in puppies /growing dogs being fed that food. Maybe try Burns or Nutro, but I would take him off his present diet asap if he were mine.

thanks for the advice westie lover, if I do change his food should I do this gradually or just swap straight on to what you have suggested. My vet didnt seem to think that the food was the problem, but I must admit I thought that it might be a diet problem. Jack is better now, he has not yet finished the course of antibiotics, but is weeing ok and there is no blood. taking him back for a check up tomorrow. Sarah

Hi Sarah
I'm pleased your pup is on the road to recovery. :)
Always change foods gradually, even if it with an adult dog, as it can upset their tummy's if you just stop one food and start another. :(
I would start off by substituting a 1/4 of his feed with the new diet for a couple of days, then 1/2 and 1/2 for a few days, then 3/4's new diet and hey presto within about a week you've done it. :)
If you have any probs with him going a bit loose while you are switching his feed go back a stage and/or use some live natural yoghurt mixed in with it.
HTH
Nicky :D

thanks Nicky, advice taken, it is so nice to comunicate with people who understand.thanks to everyone who has helped me so far. Its almost like having extended family, all at the touch of a few buttons. Cant tell you how greatful I am. Sarah ;)