11/08/2022
I tell you this job would be a breeze if the patients could talk to us. Often times we treat because we have done the leg work of diagnostic testing to figure out what is going wrong with your pet. Yet, there are those days when testing can not be preformed for a number of reasons. Uncooperative patient, owner is unable to retrieve a urine sample, etc. When these occasions occur we are often left with attempting to diagnose through animal behaviors. A good example is when your cat or dog begins using the bathroom more or less frequently, going to the bathroom in the house or outside the litter pan, loss of bladder or bowel control, these things tell us that something may be wrong even without a sample to test. This causes us to begin asking questions such as "What type of food is being eaten?" "How often is their water dish freshened up?" "Has your pet gotten into anything like the trash bin or has been around other animals that may have been sick?" It can be very frustrating dealing with a pet that has bladder and bowel issues. In most cases we test urine and f***l matter to determine parasite infection or crystal formation. However, there are those special cases that require us to send out our findings to the lab for Culture and Sensitivity testing. This testing tells us what the best course of treatment could be as the sample is Cultured and then tested to see what antibiotics it is sensitive or resistant too. From a diagnostical standpoint, the C&S test is by far the best weapon I feel we have in our arsenal to fight bladder and bowel issues. Yet, with no sample we have nothing to test. When testing urine it is best to get as clean as a sample as possible. With dogs it is easier to do a free catch as you just have to get underneath them with a container and capture the sample. (Preferably the first one of the day as that one will have the highest concentration of bacteria in it.) . Cats ....well they are a little trickier. For cats its recommended that you quarantine them to a pet carrier or a bathroom in the home. If quarantined in a bathroom make sure that you have the drain plugged so that you don't lose the sample. Have something ready to suck up the sample like a small turkey baster or a childs medicine dropper. Make sure your container is clean and free of debris. Above all else , when it come to cats specifically, be patient. Often times when trying to collect a sample with the quarantine method it is a behavioral shock to your cat. No more roaming the house, no more litter pan, and if you think about it your cat may even be a little confused as to what they are supposed to do. Now in many cases a simple round of antibiotics will clear up the issue but in some cases where we see a recurring problem it is often recommended that the C&S testing is done to determine whether the previous course of treatment actually cured or merely masked the symptoms. I have said it before and I will promote it till my last day in this office.....PREVENTION IS CHEAPER THAN TREATMENT. Talk to your veterinary team about specialized diets that promote healthy weight and a properly functioning urinary tract system. Being mindful of the types of toys and foods that your pet is putting in their mouths can be a big determining factor in the overall health of your fur baby.Dare I say it , but I feel that is the first step in being proactive with prevention. Understanding that my dog Buddy may love those rawhide chews I buy for him when he has been good, but I also know that he has a sensitive tummy and often times they just don't agree with him...Kind of like me and spicy food..Yeah I love it but lord knows I shouldn't eat it. Proactive prevention will save you so much in the way of emotional stress from dealing with a sick pet, as well as the financial aspects of the treatment. As always, I hope you all have an amazing day and thank you for reading.
