Please think good thoughts for my Libby

[SW FL Dem]

Libby is an rescue cairn terrier that joined our family in 2003. She was surrendered by her original family because she was incontinent. She came to us as a foster and it was obvious after a day, that she had a bladder infection and possibly bladder stones. A simple xray was all that was needed to diagnose the problem. Libby had surgery in Nov 2003 and stayed with us through her recovery. By the time she was deemed adoptable, she was a part of our family so we adopted her.

Libby has been doing very well up until today. We noticed this evening that she was urinating more often than usual. By 10 pm she was in obvious discomfort so off to the emergency vet we went. Libby has another UTI and several new bladder stones, one of which is dangerously close to her urethra. If the stone blocks the urethra, it could be life threatening. The emergency vet gave me antibiotics for the UTI and told me to watch her carefully through the night. Tomorrow, we have to call our regular vet to schedule a second bladder stone surgery :(. My son and I are camping out on the family room floor with Libby for the evening. It's going to be a long night and an even longer week.

I don't have an individual photo of Libby online and I'm not about to upload one now so here's a pic of my three dogs. Libby is on the left.

[kaitykaity]

1. They're a cute group.

Thinking good, positive thoughts for Libby.

[underseasurveyor]

2. Oh no no ;-( poor Libby

Of course all of you will be heavily in my thoughts :grouphug:
With heavy doses of get well fast love energy specially for sweet little Libby girl :hug:

[ET Awful]

3. Postive Libby vibes headed your way

:hug: poor little puppy :(

[Eurobabe]

4. Poor little Libby, hope she does okay

Let us know what happens? Sending good vibes...

[demnan]

5. So sorry, hope she is better soon!

Good thoughts, headbutts and purrs coming your way :hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Positive energy and white light going out to Libby and all of you...

Please keep us posted.

[American Tragedy]

7. I hope for the best. I know all too well what that's like

It must be common in terriers since I see so many of them in rescues allegedly due to persistent accidents in the house, a symptom which is pretty much a dead giveaway.

Either it doesn't occur to these owners that there may be something medically wrong, or they simply don't care enough to deal with it.

My own little schnauzer Max eventually succumbed to bladder stones :cry:, and through the very worst moments I would never consider just tossing him in the pound, come whatever may. God almighty, what the fuck is wrong with these people? Are they just heartless?

[Maru Kitteh]

8. I'll put little Libby in my prayers

Sometimes bladder stones are caused by cholesterol, try asking your vet if a diet of more grains and veggies (less meat incl. dry food) would be appropriate to alleviate her problems? Just an idea, I know it just makes me crazy when the babies are hurting.

Hope Libby is doing better.:grouphug:

[SW FL Dem]

9. Thanks everyone

Libby is doing a little better today, the antibiotics are helping with her UTI. She is scheduled for surgery first thing Monday morning.

[CottonBear]

10. I'm sending my love to Libby.

I just found this thread.

You have an amazing Libby family who wil see her through this illness.

:hug:

[underseasurveyor]

11. Glad she's feeling a little better, poor baby.

I hate it when one of my babies is ill, just hate it x(

Monday morning? Do they have to wait for the infection to get knocked down some more before they can operate?

:grouphug:Holding you all in my heart. Get well soon Libby:grouphug:

[Phentex]

12. glad to hear she's feeling better...

hope she's all better soon!

[SiouxJ]

13. Sending positive vibes Libby's way

I have an incontinent female too. Her cause is hormonal though. I've switched her to a diet of about 60% soy and she is slowly getting off her meds (the soy helps increase estrogen and thus improves bladder strength).

Hang in there.

[sleepyhead]

14. Make sure your vet sends the stones out for analysis.

That way, you can find out if there's a special diet that she can eat to prevent recurrence. You also want to encourage water consumption (to help dilute the urine and minimize stone formation). Give the antibiotics until they're finished, even if she is feeling better - sometimes they need to be on antibiotics for several weeks. Also be sure to ask about post-operative pain medications for her, so that her recovery will be comfortable.

[SW FL Dem]

15. That's good advice.

This is Libby's second operation. Her stones last time were calcium oxalate stones, the kind that can't be dissolved by diet and are likely to recur. The vet is pretty sure the new stones are the same type but she will sent them out to confirm it. Libby is already on a special diet, but we may have to change it. She will be on antibiotics for at least two weeks to make sure the infection is gone and doesn't come back after the operation.

[sleepyhead]

16. Waltham/Royal Canin SO diet

is supposed to be good for those. It won't dissolve Ca oxalate (nothing will, unfortunately, as you already know), but will supposedly keep the oxalate crystals from re-forming. It also prevents formation of struvite (the other common type of stone). It is formulated to increase water consumption too. Might be worth a try if you haven't used it yet.

[SW FL Dem]

17. Thanks, I'll ask my vet about it

Libby is currently on Hills UD. She loves it and it was working for a while. Unfortunately, we haven't followed the no food other than UD as closely as we should have :( . Libby has been given a bite every now and then on special occasions of Thanksgiving turkey, or Christmas ham. My son and hubby also admitted to slipping her snacks (every once in a while). We will have a long discussion with her vet after the surgery as to the best way to proceed. There are also food supplements that we can give her to increase (?) the pH of her urine to reduce the chance the stones will recur. I read a great article from the Univ of Minnesota website that recommends more frequent urine pH tests and x rays to catch potential problems in the earliest stages. Unfortunately, it looks like all the dogs will lose their rights to people food, it isn't fair to deprive only Libby.

[sleepyhead]

19. You can get urine pH sticks to test the urine at home.

You want a slightly alkaline urine (higher pH). If you have a bag of U/D at home, look for the 800 number for Hill's. They have veterinary nutritionists available who may be able to tell you what treats would be "legal" for Libby to have. That way, you can stock up on legal treats and let the family know (in no uncertain terms!) that the dogs are only allowed those items.

[Princess Turandot]

18. All paws crossed here for Libby..

which not counting my feet, makes 18 of them.

My Yuri (first cat in by sig) had emergency surgery last month to remove an astonishing amount of stones embedded in one large bood clot in his bladder. I was shocked when I saw the photo of what they removed & retained. My poor Yuri almost died 24 hours after his release because the twits taking care of him worried, I believe, more abt his recovery from the surgery than the problem which caused me to bring him in: a UT blockage. He was released before he began to even try to pee normally for a cat. 24 hours later he was going into heart failure, and I think only lived because I was unable to sleep well that night, got up to check on him and became alarmed at his condition & rushed him back to the hospital. He managed to pull thru thankfully, but is still not up to speed.Those 10 days which he soent in the hospital were among the worst in my life.

I hope Libby makes it thru the night okay and that the surgery is successful.

[SW FL Dem]

20. Libby's surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Thanks everyone for your good thoughts. Please keep them coming tomorrow

[underseasurveyor]

21. Today is Libby's surgery day

My heart and thoughts are with you sweet little girl :loveya:
Speedy recovery Libby :-)

Heart and thoughts are with you too SW FL DEM :hug: