Took Molly (9 months) to the vet who said she was having a phantom pregnancy (which is what I suspected having read the book of the bitch for the symptoms.)She had her first season in September and I noticed she was swollen on Monday so took her straight to the vets. I was worried cos she was cleaning herself after peeing so they took swabs. They rang today to say she had e-coli and have put her on antibiotics. I am panicking a bit cos I have always kept her so clean (being a shih tzu we wash her face daily and make sure her bum is clean etc and bathe her every fortnight or so). She even goes to 'poodle parlour' regularly (went last Saturday). Will she be okay? will Barney get it? Any help would be most appreciated. Am out now for a few hours but will log back in tonight. I cant understand where I have gone wrong.
Thanks everyone.
A very worried Gina

Oh Gina, it's not your fault, she could have picked it up anywhere. I'm sure she will be alright. Ja:)kie

I'm sure its not through a lack of anything you have done. I am a great believer in leaving nature to set its own paremeters and think that if you mollycoddle and become too obsessed with hygene (not suggesting you are doing either I hasten to add!) then your dog/child/whatever will not have enough natural immunity & ends up being constantly under the weather.

Easy to say, I know, Gina, but try not to worry, these things happen however careful we are.

I'm sure it's nothing you've done wrong and she'll soon be fully recovered.

Joyce

Hi thanks for your replies they helped calm me down. I was in a bit of a panic thinking she might die :o . Dont think I have kept her too clean as she is out in all weathers and being so close to the ground gets soaked and dirty but we dry her and just brush her most of the time but I can understand what you mean Sam - I may have been a bit too particular when she was on heat as she cleaned herself and then I cleaned her too but as long as she is going to be okay now I am okay. Taking her back to vet on Friday for a check. You wouldnt think anything was wrong with her thank goodness :D :D
Gina x