10 X-rays for Mull

[lobeydosser]

Latest update.

Of the 40 odd stones taken out of the wee man's bladder, we got 7 as souvenirs and the rest were sent to a lab down south for analyses.

Well after telling us for several weeks that they were still testing them, eventually they admitted that they had lost them!

Well all that were left were our souvenirs and so they got sent to the lab.

The results are back saying they could be one of two types, Struvite or Oxalite.
I will have a meeting with the vet in the next few days to discuss the way forward from here.
If it is the Struvite, then we could possibly treat him with a carefully managed diet.
However if it is Oxalite, then it will mean a vet diet.

In the meantime Mull is quite perky, but still a bit lame at times and has to be lifted up anything higher than a standard step.
We live in hope.

[OneDay]

[lobeydosser]

Thanks OneDay!

[esmecullen]

[lobeydosser]

Back at the Vets today. He has Oxalate Bladder Stones and of all the worlds many breeds of dogs, the Bichon Frise is unique in that this type of Bladder Stone begins to recur again as soon as one lot is removed.

According to the University of Minnesota, a leading authority on these stones, there is a 73% chance that in 3 years time the stones will be back as bad as ever.

Today they took blood for analyses and we are putting him onto a low calcium diet.
We will also cut out all treats containing calcium. This is shame as he really enjoys a lump of mature cheddar cheese, especially when it is stuffed, with other treats, into his Kong.

[Deleted]

At least you now know what they were, but ouch to the vet diet. Poor chap having to miss out on his favourite treats too, but you'll find something else & hopefully the stones won't come rushing back.

[lobeydosser]

Yes Jess, Hopefully we can get him on a diet that will stop future stones developing.

I think we are in for the long haul to get it right, but at least we have been given the chance to get it right.

However there are other complications in that he is still quite lame and both ourselves and the Vet are quite puzzled by this.
The removal of the bladder stones should have sorted the lameness, but it hasn't so more investigations are needed.

Time will tell.

Thank gawd I am onto vaping and can afford to pay all this medication up front.

[beautycat]

Sending al good wishes for mull x x x

[Chrissie]

Lobey, not so sure about dogs, but cats that suffer form either Struvite or Oxalate stones can be controlled via diet.

[Deleted]

You have been given a chance, lobeydosser, just a shame it hasn't resolved the lameness too, but here's hoping they can get to the root of that now. Trapped nerve somewhere?

I was going to say that it's just as well you vape now. lol

[lobeydosser]

May 24, 2013 21:36:31 GMT Chrissie said:

Lobey, not so sure about dogs, but cats that suffer form either Struvite or Oxalate stones can be controlled via diet.

Hi Chrissie, I have been doing some research on this and Struvite Stones are caused by an infection in the Bladder. Once the infection is cleared up, the stones then usually pass through. However that can be a problem in dogs because of their anatomy and they usually require surgery to remove these stones.

However with Oxalite Stones, no diet will dissolve them. All we can do from here on in is to try to prevent any more from growing.
We also need to find out why they are growing in the first place, hence the blood tests today.

Thank Gawd for the Internet.
I printed out a load of stuff for the Vet and he said it would give him some bedtime reading!  

[jeffc]

Hi Lobeydosser.

It`s amasing how medical science has advanced, and I am confident that between you and the vets care and treatment, that "Mull" will enjoy many more years of your company.

Keep up the great work you are doing for your `furry faithful` pal.

You know that we at this forum wish you both strength and happiness for the future.



jeffc.

[lobeydosser]

Thanks Jeffc.

[lobeydosser]

Well more bad news for our wee man tonight.

When we originally took Mull to the Vet it was because he was going lame and it was only when the Vet couldn't find why he was so, that he did the 10 x-rays and found the stones in his bladder.

Now that he is over the Bladder Problem, we have noticed that his lameness is getting worse and so he was back at the Vets this evening.

His rear knees are swollen and painful and his front ankles are equally bad.

So now he will have to go to a specialist vet in Stirling, although that could take a couple of weeks before we can get an appointment with him.

The poor wee guy has to be carried up and down any stairs and from the dog he was a year ago, he is in some state now.
Made all the more noticeable because of his bounding, demented Zebedee of his mate.

Oh well, fingers crossed that the specialist can help him.

[Fagsareus]

thats not so good lobey hopefully the vet in Stirling will help him