UTI in 4 month old Male puppy, Ranger

[Vinny and Ranger]

Hello all

new to this forum.  Hoping to find some answers to my questions. We don't have any experience with dogs prior to this.

We got Ranger a male Goldendoodle puppy 2 months ago.  He is very smart and his potty training has been going very well. He is hyperactive.

We had to take him to emergency about 2 weeks ago when he swallowed 6 X 2 inch Nylabone. Luckily it was edible one.  They took Xrays, told us he was going to be fine and billed us $200.

He has been fine since then until  yesterday when I took him out to pee as usual at 6.30 am.  He was in a hurry to go out as if he was holding it for a while.  But when he tried to pee nothing came out. He squatted atleast six times to pee, nothing came out.  He started whininig and crying.  I sat down next to him as he was laying down there petting and comforting him.  Eventually he was able to pee but very little. 
I knew something was wrong.  He didn't want to come back inside.  Usually he pulls me back inside as he knows that I give him his food. I had to pick him up and get him inside.  He ate his food normally. 

After that he started having accidents (which was unusual), dark yellow pee.  (Prior to this incident he only had accidents twice after we got him from the breeder when he was 9 weeks old.)  Took him to Vet along with a urine sample.The vet confirmed that there was blood in his urine and he has a UTI. The vet put him on Amoxicillin 400 mg twice a day. Bill was about $100.

I also ordered NaturVet Cranberry Relief after reading Donna & Bayley 's post about UTI.

Ranger had accidents in our Kitchen area, on the deck and in other areas of the house yesterday and today.  I am kind of worried.

My questions are:

How long will this last?

Is it going to be recurring?

What could have caused this?  Is it because he was de-hydrated?  We were at Puppy obedience class previous evening and it was hot.

Or is it because of the change in food.  We have been giving him Kirkland Puppy food for a while.  Recently I started giving Purina Pro Plan also.   2 1/2 cups of kirkland and 1 cup of Purina Pro plan Puppy food.

Ranger is reluctant to drink water not sure why.  I am putting some kibble in little water and encouraging him to drink.

I appreciate any input, recommendations, suggestions from fellow Doodle owners.  Thanks in advance.

Vinny

[F, Calla & Luca]

A UTI can happen to any dog, females more often than males. Hydration helps prevent it and is a must anyway. Sometimes you can put something like a little chicken broth in the water to tempt a dog to drink. Do you have pet insurance. Many of us consider it a must.

[Vinny and Ranger]

Thanks Calla & LucaI

I am putting some kibble along with water to make him drink water.

No I don't have any pet insurance. Can you provide me some info on insurance as to how much its gonna cost and which companies.

Thanks

[F, Calla & Luca]

We have lots of discussions on this. I have Pet Plan which does not cover routine care. The rates change with the age of the dog.

[Stella]

Now that he has had a UTI, any future UTI's or related conditions probably won't be covered as they would be classed as being related to a pre-existing condition. Pet insurance is still an excellent idea though.
Don't forget to get some probiotics to counteract the effect of the antibiotics on his digestive bacteria. I used cranberry capsules after my male dog had a UTI and they did help bring down the pH of his urine.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You can try adding a little plain unsweetened apple juice to his water, that may help encourage him to drink more. Some people here have also had success with giving their dogs frozen 100% fruit juice bars. 

For dogs who tend to not drink much water and/or tend to get dehydrated, adding some canned food to their diets can help. Dehydrated raw foods that have to be mixed with water, like Honest Kitchen, are good choices, too. 

You may want to take a look at our Food Group's list of recommended food brands. http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/recomme...
As far as what caused it and whether it will recur, I think your vet would be best able to answer those questions. 

[Vinny and Ranger]

Thanks Stella and Karen & Jackdoodle

Yesterday my Vet left a message saying that they didn't find any bacteria in urine sample, but there was large amount of blood and sediment.  She also said we should continue giving him Antibiotics as sometimes small amounts of bacteria can not be  found in Urine sample.  I couldn't get a hold of her

Ranger's involuntary pee episodes kept happening.   I am wondering if it is not UTI what else can cause this problem.

I would appreciate if anybody can share their thoughts and experiences.

[Vinny and Ranger]

Ranger is doing much better now.  No more accidents, urine normal.
Continuing with Anti-biotic and Cranberry Relief.