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Special to the Times

Diapers not the solution for stones

By STEVE DALE
Published December 28, 2006

Q: Latte, my 9-year-old bichon frise, was having accidents and was diagnosed with bladder stones. She was put on a special diet, but it was difficult to maintain because we have another dog. The diet didn't seem to help, anyway. My parents are not willing to pay the thousands of dollars for an operation. So Latte wears baby diapers all the time. I think this is preposterous. Even worse, she's forced to live with bladder stones. But I'm 16 and my parents won't listen to me. Maybe they'll listen to you. Any advice?

A: You sound like one smart and compassionate 16-year-old. Dr. Carl Osborne and Dr. Jodi Lulich, both internal medicine specialists, are renowned for their expertise on bladder stones in dogs.

"Go to any pet store, buy a guppy net and see if you can catch any stones. Give those stones to your veterinarian for identification," says Osborne.

There are two kinds of bladder stones. Treatment depends on the type of stone. For example, a special veterinary diet will not dissolve calcium oxalate stones but will dissolve struvite stones.

Lulich says there are other ways to remove stones besides surgery. One is called voiding uro hydro propulsion. The bladder is filled with a fluid and expressed, in the process dissolving and/or dislodging the stones. Lulich ought to know about this technique, since he created it. The treatment can be administered by many veterinarians in private practice, and it should not cost thousands of dollars. Another, more costly option requires special equipment to zap the stones using sound.

If the stones are calcium oxalate, and diet therapy is suggested, feed your two dogs in different rooms. The special diet is more expensive, but not outrageous.

Certainly, I understand financial constraints, but having your dog wear diapers doesn't seem like a long-term solution. Many veterinarians will allow payment over time.

Check for dry eye

Q: My 13-year-old Lhasa apso has a chronic eye infection. There's a greenish discharge and the eye is red. We've been treating her with antibiotics and a topical steroid. The infection clears up and then returns. This has been going on for several months. I'm wondering if the infection is being harbored by the inadequate tear gland function. Any suggestions?

A: Veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Hamor, of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana, says, "You either know or suspect that the dog's tear production is insufficient. This is a reasonably common problem."

Hamor says there's a test to confirm your dog has dry eye. If it turns out she does, what's required is a specific therapy to deal with it.

Hamor says the combination of drugs you're using reduces inflammation and infection. However, there may not be a true infection - only symptoms that mimic one. Enhance your dog's tear output and the symptoms will disappear.

If the tear test reveals tear production is not an issue, Hamor says to consider a systemic allergy. If your Lhasa shows little improvement, consider a referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. He will answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY, 14207. Send e-mail to petworld@aol.com Include your name, city and state.

[Last modified December 27, 2006, 20:17:35]