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Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle....

Posted By: angelic4296

Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 12:02 AM

Alright, since I'm always frustrated when there's no update after a health-related post, I thought I'd update everyone on Gizmo...
I had posted today asking for suggestions for meds before I took him to the vet today because I was suspecting a UTI. Dr. Helpling did a UA and a fecal float and smear, and she found epithelial cells in his urine, indicating that his urinary tract was irritated from something, that something most likely being a UTI....she also thought she felt 2 small lumps in his tummy, but said they felt like feces to her that were waiting to pass.....she said if his symptoms don't improve on the antibiotic she gave him (amoxicillin) within 48 hrs., to bring him back in and they'll X-ray him to make sure those lumps weren't crystallizations (aka kidney stones). She also said his urine was pretty diluted, but I wasn't sure if that's a good or bad thing, so if anyone knows, please do tell. His weight was healthy (91g) and she said he is a very healthy little boy. He was soooo good, no biting, let Dr. Helpling examine him no problem! Treats for Gizzy!! Hopefully this antibiotic will kick whatever is in his system the heck out and he'll be fine once more! My poor baby! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/upset.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/needhug.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 01:54 AM

Poor fuzzy..I hope he gets better soon.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 02:10 AM

diluted urine is good I believe-cloudy urine is indicative of UTI and non-diluted means not enough water (hydration) so I believe Diluted is good. Of course the descriptions I am giving you applies to humans-LOL, but I think it would be the same scenario in suggies!!!
Posted By: ScootersPet

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 02:50 AM

I hope he gets better soon. Keep us updated on how he is doing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: the gliders angel

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 03:02 AM

for the uti give him lots of gliderade to drink also mixed baby fruit juice. why didnt they use baytril i wonder.
Posted By: Ellen

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 03:46 AM

What the Vet said is true. And you are right about the appearnce of urine. What she gave is a broad spec. med.

I would try seeing if he would drink some diluted cranberry juice along with plenty of water.

Will be waiting for an update
Posted By: angelic4296

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 05:10 AM

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, and it eased my mind that diluted urine seems to be good...from what I can remember, she said that in terms of urine dilution, a level of around 40 is normal for these guys, and his was 21, meaning it was VERY diluted, but he has been drinking alot and peeing large quantities since my suspisions started, so this didn't surprise me....I'm picking up some cranberry juice on my way to work tomorrow morning....he LOVES the taste of his amoxicillin, he grabbed the syringe and licked like mad....thank god, I was afraid I was going to have to be mean mommy and force it down his throat...I'll keep everyone updated!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 06:20 AM

If Gizmo drinks a lot, he'll pee dilute urine. If he doesn't drink for a long time, he'll pee concentrated urine. If he is normally hydrated and always pees dilute, that can be a sign of kidney failure. Inability to concentrate his urine in the right situation is not a good sign.

So how to tell? On the day of the test, don't let him drink much before sleeping (just a short time before the test period). When he first wakes up, a urine specimen would be expected to be more concentrated. After being up and drinking, a second specimen would be expected to be more dilute. If it is always in a middle range, that can be a sign of renal failure as the specific gravity should go up and down with these different conditions. Inability to have the urine specific gravity fluctuate is not good.

By the way, crystals are not always the same thing as a kidney stone. It would be very unlikely to be able to feel a kidney stone.
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 08:09 AM

Schlep...I in no way want to contradict you...just add to what you said. My Chronos, for some reason, when his UTI recurs, drinks a TON. I think it helps make it not hurt so much to go, and as a result, his urine is very dilute. It goes back to normal after antibiotic treatment. It's probably rare for a glider to do this (but I'm known for having the basket cases and oddballs, lol)..but with him that's how it goes. Just another possibility.

If no improvement is seen within 2-3 days on the meds, or it worsens, do get him right back in for something else. I posted in your other thread before seeing this one. I hope your little one improves. I also agree with Schlep that crystals likely wouldn't be able to be felt..or stones...since they are so small and contained within an organ. Unless an organ is enlarged, or there is a tumor, likely it is feces in there. Also, males have scent glands inside the cloaca (not sure if females do)...if that is the area in question, that could be what he was feeling, as they are rather good sized.
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 08:18 AM

I want to add that it is usually a good idea to include yogurt daily for gliders on antibiotics. The antibiotic can also kill the good bacteria in their digestive track and the yogurt will help replenish it.
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 08:48 AM

Dancing, I put that, along with the option of Benebac, in the other thread, but not in this one. Thanks for adding that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 02:09 PM

Jen,
I don't think what you wrote contradicts anything - it is completely consistent with my post. If he drinks more, he'll pee more and pee dilute urine (which doesn't burn him as much as concentrated, salty pee). And dilute urine all by itself is not a problem. It is correct and normal if more liquids are consumed. Usually dilute urine means more fluids consumed. As long as the urine is sometimes dilute and sometimes more concentrated, then things are likely normal.

If the kidney can't ever concentrate the urine, that is not normal. If one should have concentrated urine because of being a little dry or not having had a drink for a long while, the kidney should be able to concentrate the urine which is conserving fluids for the body. If the urine remains dilute in those situations, it could be revealing early signs of kidney failure. That would imply that a significant percentage of the nephrons (kidney cells) are gone.

Diabetes and other problems can also interfere with the kidney's ability to concentrate the urine, but in the face of UTI's, kidney failure is a concern is the urine is always middle of the road specific gravity. When bladder infections go north and into the kidney (pyelonephritis), they can destroy kidney tissue.
Posted By: Xglider

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 03:32 PM

Jess, please keep us updated I am glad you got him in and he is not on the antibiotic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> for you both!
Posted By: angelic4296

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 05:21 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone, and now for the follow-up questions:
1. Jen, just an FYI for you, she did put him on the 14-day treatment of Amoxicillin, I asked for that length of treatment while I was there because I had heard of too many gliders having infections recur because of an inadequate time on meds....great minds think alike haha!

2. Schlep: This is a tough one for me because for as long as I can remember, Gizmo has always been a drinker. Usually we do dried papaya or cheerios for mid-day snacks, and because those snacks contain less liquid than lets say, yogurt or a grape, he always follows up his treats with a big drink of water....is this normal? I have noticed lately that the amount with frequency of his urinations have increased, my first sign of a UTI. How concentrated should his urine be after drinking like that? I notice that when he first wakes up for the night and pees, it's more yellow, so more concentrated.

3. Teresa, any specific kind of yogurt or just make sure there's no preservatives in it?
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/22/06 08:11 PM

Any kind of yogurt, as long as there's no artificial sweetener, like in most of the "lite' varieties.

And what Schlep was saying is that if it NEVER concentrates at all is when you worry (or, I would suppose, if it was always way too concentrated), it SHOULD be yellower when he first wakes up, because he's been asleep and not drinking, and the waste building up accumulates and is removed from the body in the urine. Then subsequent urination will be more dilute than the initial one as his system gets going, he starts drinking and moving around, etc. Anytime a glider, or other animal, drinks a lot of fluids it will dilute the urine (or it should). I had one that drank tons all the time, thus always urinated a lot, but that's a really bad example, because he had internal damage to liver and kidneys from abuse before he came to us (he was also jaundiced, or yellow, on/off the two years we had him as well)..and I'm sure yours hasn't been thru what Gim was. To go with Schlep's explanation, Gimli's urine was never concentrated enough to tell if there was a change in that department-due to damage to his organs, but don't compare this to your lil guy. I'm sure Schlep can expand on this, but thought I'd offer a starting point.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Gizmo's UTI Debacle.... - 03/23/06 05:33 AM

Jess,
Most likely things are normal for you. Painful urination is a sign of UTI to watch for. Voiding lots may be true for some, but it is not always present. A UTI by itself does not make more urine. Drinking more will cause more urine output, or excessive loss of fluids from diabetes or kidney problems. A sign of UTI is pollakiuria, which is frequent small amounts of expelled urine. Polyuria is voiding large amounts frequently. Again, diabetes and drinking extra can do that. If some critters drink more and have lots of urine during a UTI, that is actually good, as dilute urine hurts less and the fluid washout of the bladder helps debulk the infection. Chances are you are good. My comment wasn't as specific for you as how one might approach telling normal from abnormal dilute urine.
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