My dog is on clavamox for a uti. We are still working out why it keeps recurring. I want to do a culture to see if the uti is actually recurrent or if it just has not gone away every time we have treated it so far. When is the best time? A few days prior to the end of her treatment so we know if she should be prescribed more? Or on the last day of her pill? I am not sure if my vet has done a sensitivity test. I am worried that if the infection is antibiotic resistant we could make it worse.
-
Need to see a vet? Find the best vets near you
That's a good question, you're correct to want to make sure you are giving the right antibiotic. Finish the antibiotics then have your veterinarian take a sterile urine sample for culture and sensitivity. That will check if there is bacteria present and which antibiotics to use to clear the infection. They will also check the urine for crystals, blood and bacteria. I also recommend either an ultrasound of the bladder or an X-ray to see if Willow has bladder stones. Also checking the conformation of her vulva is important as when they have an inset vulva female dogs are more likely to get recurring urinary infections. Thanks for using PetCoach to help you care for Willow.
You marked this answer as helpful, we appreciate your feedback
You marked this answer as not helpful, we appreciate your feedback
-
Need to see a vet? Find the best vets near you
If Willow has been on Clavamox for a UTI, I typically wait 2 weeks after the course of antibiotics before culturing the urine to ensure the antibiotics are not going to affect the culture results. If the culture comes back and the bacteria are sensitive to clavamox, I would suggest having abdominal x-rays or an ultrasound performed to rule out bladder stones or a bladder tumor as the cause of the recurrent UTIs. Willow is quite young so I would think there is a predisposing factor. Sometimes if a dog has excessive skin around the vulva, this can predispose them to constant UTIs and this would need to be corrected surgically. Sometimes they can develop ectopic ureters during development and this can also cause constant recurrent UTIs. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.
You marked this answer as helpful, we appreciate your feedback
You marked this answer as not helpful, we appreciate your feedback