Bandit has had a really rough year, but he is on his way to doing much better now. He has been plaqued with breathing problems since he was one year old that got worse this year. He also came down with a re-occuring uti issue in April of 2007 that as of August of 2008 wasn't going away. I finally got wise and switched vets late August 2008 and it was the best thing I could of done for him.
Our new vet, Dr. Krieger put him through some tests, cultures and scopes that our old vet hadn't and had Bandit diagnosed properly within 2 weeks time. As far as Bandit's constant UTI issues were because he had sterile struvite crystals and no amount of antibiotic was going to help nor make them go away. It is strictly a metabolic situation controlled by the proper diet alone. Yesterday was Bandit's first re-check for the sterile struvites since on his new S/D prescription diet and I am so happy to report for the first time in 18 mos Bandit is free of the sterile struvite crystals causing his UTIs. His urine pH is still a bit high so we are still staying on the diet and adding some acidic foods in to help the pH come down. But this was the first positive in months, I broke down and cried in the vet office. Tears though of happiness and pending resolve. With Bandit's breathing problems, our new vet did a scope down his trachea. Bandit had stenotic and malformed nares toward the back, he had a very elongated palette, and everted saccules in the trachea itself. I found a highly recommended surgeon a few hours across the border into Ohio from nw PA, well experienced with the flat nosed breeds and over a month ago on October 6th he did the repair work bandit needed. A bit of recovery time and now Bandit is fine in that area. Has no more chance of getting sick than any other healthy puggy.
Relief was a long time coming. Many gray hairs and worry added. But we are finally there. Bandit is healthy now, much happier in play, and doing great for the first time in years. I finally can relax and breath and get my heart back in off my sleeve.
May the Pug Moon be with you!
Paula
5 comments:
So glad to hear you figured out what was going on with Bandit and that he is doing much better. Horray for good vets!
Love the pictures of the pugs in the snow!
Love Clover xo
The poor guy!! I am so glad he is doing better!!
Wow! That must be such a HUGE relief for you. You must not know what to do with yourself because you are not constantly worrying any more.
We are very happy that Namdit is doing better. We know what you mean about good vets and bad vets.
Roxy & Lucky
We are so glad that Bandit is doing better! Daisy is on s/d food too, although just a little mixed with her regular food each day. She lost 3-4 pounds last year, which scared me to death, but it was an undiagnosed UTI. These little puggies have a way of scaring us!
hi paula :)
yay! what great news! emmitt and i are so happy bandit is doing soooo well! he is so lucky to have you!
xo
melissa and emmitt
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