Doberman Pups/ Urinary infections

[Leo Murphy]

Hi everyone: Really interesting Newsgroup. I don't have a dog right
now ( actually I have two CATS ) sorry about that!!. Anyway, to get
to my point, I have two friends who have Doberman pups. Both, the
pups that is, are about seven months old. In fact, there is some
question as to whether the pups might be sisters. We're still working
on that one. Anyway, both pups have problems with urinary tract
infections. They each have different vets. One Vet is treating the
recurring infections by continually prescribing antibiotics. This
gets to be expensive and, since it doesn't seem to be eradicating the
problem, my friend wonders if it is worthwhile. Personally, I feel
that animals and people are being over-antibiotced(spelling). The Vet
who is treating the other pup says that this problem is normal and,
although he did prescribe antibiotics in the beginning, now doesn't
and feels that the problem will eventually take care of itself. Both
of my friends are concerned about their dogs and yet they are getting
opposite advice as to how to deal with the problem. I would really
appreciate any advice, experiences, expertise etc. on this problem.
Please keep in mind that both pups are Dobermans. Thanks in advance
for any responses. You can reach me by e-mail or through this group
in case there are other people with the same problem. All the best
from P.E.I. Canada. Leo

[DobeFan]

Here's 1 possibility: My 9-week old Dobie would go out to potty, and then
squat again, as if she might have urinary tract infection. Two urinalyses
showed no infection. It is tempting to put puppies on antibiotics, in
case there is a 'silent' infection (not showing in urinalysis). However,
my vet found a moderately high pH (7.5 - 8), and struvite (sp?) crystals
in the urine. He suspected it was similar to a case he had a couple of
years ago of a Golden Retriever with frequent urination. Urinalysis
showed high pH, despite the dog being on Vitamin C (a urine acidifier
whild lowers pH), and struvite (sp?) crystals in urine. In this dog, it
was due to high ash content in the food. Two other Goldens in same family
did not have frequent urination, but did have high pH and crystals. A
change to a food with lower ash content solved the problem. My puppy was
on the same food as the GR's. I have put my Dobe puppy on a food with
lower ash content, and will re-test urine after a week. My 5-yr old Dobe
has had no problems on the food the GR's and the puppy were on, so dogs
can differ. So our friend might want to discuss ash content with the vet.
(It was the dog food manufacturer who suggested to the client with the
GR's that the high ash was causing the problem.)
Mary Alice and Katy (Doberman)
(U-CD Justamere's Hurricane Party, CDX, SCD, CGC, TDI; aka 'Wild Thing')

[DobeFan]

After 5 days on a different food, my puppy no longer has high pH or
struvite crystals in urine. So, as suggested in previous post, either the
higher ash content or something else in food she was on originally was
causing the problem. Looks like a trial change of food might be in order
if there are urination problems with no evidence of a urinary tract
infection. It is worth raising the possibility with your vet, anyway.
Mary Alice and Katy 'U-CD Justameres Hurricane Party, CDX, SCD, CGC, TDI'
aka 'Wild Thing' and Breezy 'Vermilions Tropical Breeze, CP' (Crazy Puppy)