Puppy UTI not going away

[Cammy Todd]

I have been reading for a while this morning on here and was hoping someone else had some experience or advice with a resistant UTI in a puppy. 

Izzy will be 4 months on Monday.  On May 28th she was diagnosed with a UTI after I noticed her squatting multiple times on a trip outside and needing to go out really often throughout the day to prevent accidents.  Vet took a free catch sample and prescribed 14 days of cephalexin which we gave her religiously.  That ended last Thursday.  On Sunday, I noticed her squatting again multiple times on our trips outside.  I called the vet back fist thing Monday morning (yesterday).  They had a drop-off appointment in the afternoon but told me that if I could get a sample and bring it in, they would test it before her exam. 

Turns out she still has an infection and this time we were given Clavamox for 14 days.  The medicine along was over $50. 

A few questions:

1. At what point should I "demand" a culture and sensitivity test?  I hate to keep "guessing" and keeping her on antibiotics for a long time. 

2.  Has anyone tried cranberry supplements?  If so, what specific brand would you recommend? 

3.  Any other tips for a new, very tired and worried puppy owner?  I am exhausted - partially because I feel my life revolves around taking her out regularly and partially because I am worried there is something else going on.  Breeder said she has never had a puppy with a UTI so didn't have any suggestions. 

Izzy does have free access to water throughout the day, gets lots of play and exercise, and has never pottied in her crate (she goes 8-9 hours at night and has done 3.5 hours a couple times during the day).  

Thanks in advance for your help! 

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Wish I could help more but with you in support and ask you to please post this in Health group as well. With all the antibiotics I'd suggest Proviable DC, a great probiotic with 5 billion CFU, (amazon) to ward off possible diarrhea ... Best of luck to you and sweet Izzy. I know you'll get good help here/in health group...

[Cammy Todd]

Thanks Cindy!  I just joined and posted in the Health group too.  I also emailed my vet with some specific questions since I didn't get a chance to talk to her yesterday (it was a drop-off appointment).

[Rae]

Our Rozee had ongoing UTIs and we have learned a few things. First insist NOW for a culture and sensitivity test. They twice had Rozee on the wrong meds. Once on the correct meds it cleared up. We have Rozee on Proviable DC...Twice a day while she was taking the meds and now once a day. We also have her on Crananidin. It's a bio active cranberry extract. It took about a month to get her completely cleared up but it's now been over a year with no UTI!

I know and understand exactly how you feel but if you can get her on the right meds and then keep up a preventive program she'll be fine. And then you will be too! Good Luck and remember you have to be the voice for your baby! Our vet NOW really listens to what we say and we're really partners in treating our two girls.