I’m wondering if anyone has experience with a neutered male dog and urinary tract infection. My dog was diagnosed with one last night, and I forgot to ask the vet what might have caused it. I’m looking for theories as to cause and ways to prevent a recurrence.

Ripley is a 4 year old neutered male Labrador, eats kibble. I change varieties as he finishes every 20 lb bag of food. He just came off of Taste of the Wild Bison formula and switched to Evo beef about 2 weeks ago. Gets lots of exercise, is healthy, has no other issues.

He licked himself pretty raw over the weekend, and since this is a family board, I’ll stop there. Let’s just say that there was obviously a problem with the outdoor plumbing. That was his only symptom. No change in urine output, no straining, no drinking more or less than normal.

Our vet did not think this was a dietary issue, but he's concerned that the urine pH is 8.5. No crystals in the urine. Says that he saw bacteria and lots of white blood cells in the smear he took, thinks it's possible that the high pH could be irritating the tissues, exacerbating and/or causing the problem.

Treatment is antibiotic, 500 mg Cephalexin 2x a day, along with a probiotic and cranberry extract, followed by another urinalysis in 2 weeks to make sure the treatment worked.

Thanks for any wisdom you can toss my way. I hate seeing my boy in even minor discomfort.

You can ask if the urine was concentrated. You can also encourage extra water (pour over food, bait it, etc.) and urinating often to flush it through.

Bacteria cause alkaline urine (high pH), not the other way around.

Don't skip that second urinalysis.

I would like to have had the bacteria identified and the specific antibiotic used.

I'll get you some reading material.

http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-urinary-tract-infection-what-you-should-know-1302906.html

http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/utis/

Thanks, Connie. These articles help. I try to absorb every word the vet says when I'm in the office, but just like with my own MD, I think I twist things by the time I get out of the office.

 Quote: Meredith Hamilton

Thanks, Connie. These articles help. I try to absorb every word the vet says when I'm in the office, but just like with my own MD, I think I twist things by the time I get out of the office.

The cause-and-effect of the bacteria causing the urine alkalinity is sometimes confused among vets too. Lew Olson (the second link) is a very good resource.

Lew Olson is my new hero. Amazing resource, thanks again.

 Quote: Meredith Hamilton

Lew Olson is my new hero. Amazing resource, thanks again.

She and Mary Strauss are probably the two best health/nutrition writers on the 'net.

How did I miss dogaware.com? Good gravy!!!

I've learned more today than I have in months.