Uti strips

[Unicornandbows]

Hi

I've ordered some uti testing kits of amazon (see image) I was wondering how to actually collect the urine as he doesn't wee on a mat but against things.

I ordered these as I know my fluffball is very pain tolerant and there is no way of knowing when he is ill. So I thought if I test once a week or so I wouldn't have to stress or worry about missing anything wrong with him.

Has anyone else used these?

[DogInATent]

Has he got a history of UTIs?

[Unicornandbows]

Nope this is more to be cautious and detect it if he ever does get one iyswim

[tabulahrasa]

Hang on... so he’s no history of them, but you’re going to test him every week just in case?

Um, that’s a bit more than cautious tbh...do you have anxiety or something similar?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

The sections that are used to diagnose UTIs in humans leukocytes and nitrates are notoriously unreliable at diagnosing UTIs in dogs and cats. In general we spin down and check a wet prep for bacteria now rather than using strips.
Additionally UTIs in dogs particularly Male dogs are uncommon, bladder stones are more common than UTIs.

[Unicornandbows]

Yes I do have anxiety about the wellbeing of my dog.. I had a previous post about irrational fears towards my dog (have been doctors and waiting for cbt referral).

I just thought as my dog can't communicate if I do weekly or even monthly checks it will give me reassurances and detect anything wrong.

Also the strips said it checks for abnormal proteins, glucose and a bunch of other stuff so I thought If he has kidney issues I'd be able to spot it.

The only issue is I don't know how to collect his urine so was wondering if anyone had any ideas.

[BiteyShark]

Oh OP I do get that you are worried but honestly this doesn't sound like it's going to actually help. All that's going to happen is that you have some numbers and will be stressing over what they mean with no other context.

My vets do a well pet plan that also includes two free vet checks each year. This is more than enough to pick up on things as you can chat about any concerns you have whilst there. In fact I plan to raise something on mine next time that I don't think is anything but it's a chance for me to get that reassurance.

I think if you have that amount of anxiety it would be far cheaper and much better to pay for a check up twice a year with your vet rather than trying to replicate vet tests yourself which will be far inferior and lead to more anxiety.

[BiteyShark]

I quickly googled these type of tests and there is a lot of 'it may indicate', 'can sometimes mean' in the results bit.

Seriously this isn't not going to reduce your anxiety and only increase it. Why not book a visit at your vets, explain that you have anxiety and it's manifesting as something wrong with your dog and get them to check your dog over and also to explain to you what symptoms to watch for which require you to visit them.

There is a reason why the majority of dog owners don't routinely test for this at home. If your dog had lots of UTIs and you might need a hand at knowing whether to visit the vets for a real check I could understand. But to use it simply to treat your anxiety is just going to make it worse.

[villainousbroodmare]

I'd suggest that you talk to your vet about organising a very thorough health check for your dog. It could include routine blood screen and urinalysis as well as dental maintenance, weight check etc. Make sure your dog is insured, and eating a good diet and getting plenty of suitable exercise. FWIW male dogs rarely get UTIs (little male fluffballs often get bladder stones though).

[Lonecatwithkitten]

We have several clients who for a variety of reasons have 'weight checks' once a month with our head nurse. We charge nothing for these, but use them to offer reassurance and/or keep an eye on the pet. This would be a much better option as changes in tribe actually happen quite late in many disease, changes in weight is often much, much earlier. An independent practice is the most likely to work with you like this.

[Unicornandbows]

Thank you so much for your help I will call my vets tomorrow morning to ask if they do any of the describe tests on a regular basis.

I just can't bare the thought of him being in any pain and me being oblivious to it completely, I do have this irrational fear of something happening to him I never was like this before, I just recently had a uti (finished the course on Thursday) which then got me thinking about him having one and felt powerless. Wish dogs could talk as when we first got him he had a viral and two different types of bacterial infection and he didn't even seem different he was going through all this and being all waggy tail and playing around as normal. Which is why I constantly worry about what is he not letting on to us.

I do need to get a grip but it's so damn hard to just snap out of it. Maybe it's pregnancy hormones I don't know. Sorry for wasting everyone's time on here and thank you for your help very much appreciate it.

X

[BiteyShark]

I totally get the worry. Mine has had many issues since we got him but I always find my vets really helpful even if I go in saying I am not sure and just want some reassurance.

[BiteyShark]

Sorry for wasting everyone's time on here and thank you for your help very much appreciate it.

That's the beauty of these boards. If you aren't sure of anything please post on here as it can be helpful to hear from other dog owners and vets.

[villainousbroodmare]

You're not wasting anyone's time!

[Unicornandbows]

Thank you so much for the advice. The fluffball is my first dog and I just want to make sure I do everything right by him.

Gosh am soppy for this bugger

[tabulahrasa]

I wasn’t thinking you were wasting anyone’s time but your own...

“when we first got him he had a viral and two different types of bacterial infection and he didn't even seem different”

But you didn’t know him and he didn’t know you then.

You do notice when something is wrong when you know them, even the not obvious stuff.

I once had a cat backwards and forwards to the vets for months because I knew she wasn’t right, but we couldn’t work out what to check for because it was just a case of, she’s not herself but eating drinking etc fine, lol.

It ended up being a slight weight loss in the end that was the first actual clininical sign of her illness, but we spotted that dead early just because I could tell she wasn’t herself.


So aye you’d be better off tracing weight I reckon

[Unicornandbows]

Thank you for your experiences, have spoken with the vets and have booked him in for just a check up thank you all x

[Yokohamajojo]

My male dog got UTI after a change of diet (I think) and it was quite obvious, he peed a lot more than usual just drips and started doing it indoors even though he was fully toilet trained. Once he did it in bed and I spotted that it was quite pink so took him to the vet. If your dog is acting normal I really don't think you need to worry. The vet advice after this episode was to check he is drinking enough. He now gets his kibble in water.

[Yokohamajojo]

Oh and during this episode we did have to get a pee sample and I am not sure how my DH managed but he was following him around the garden with a cup and eventually managed to catch a few drops