We have a 9 year old Schnauzer, Pepper, who weighs around 10kg (22 lbs). She has been in good health with a good diet and exercise. We think. My family and I have owned many dogs in my life, but I have never had a Schnauzer.
A few months ago after a long walk we noticed a reddish color in her urine at the end of her walk. We were concerned so we took her to a vet, but they couldn’t figure out why. We both thought not enough water in her diet to flush her system. We didn’t see the problem again for a while. Two weeks ago, at the end of her walk, we noticed the reddish color in her urine again. Considering the late hour, we waited until the next morning to take her to the vet. The vet took an ultrasound and found something curious. Then took an X-ray and found that there were crystals in her urine and she has a stone in her bladder. Apparently the stone is rubbing the bladder at the end of her walk causing her to bleed.
So the vet suggested to change Pepper’s food to Royal Canine Urinary S/O to help with the crystals and to try to dissolve the stone. Makes sense. The vet also prescribed her a medicine to give to her twice a day that we thought was something to help dissolve the stone. In a few days she was incredibly thirsty and developed a potbelly. Her mood didn’t change so much other than she just seemed really full all the time, but she still did eat her breakfast and dinner. But the amount of water she was drinking and the potbelly were very concerning. There was also a more panting than usual on a cool Fall afternoon.
A week later at our scheduled check-up. The doctor did another ultrasound and found the stone hadn’t changed. We had him run a blood test to check for heart-worm and any thing else that could be an issue. We found out the the vet had prescribed her steroids to make her thirsty to help flush out the crystals and to try to dissolve the stone. (Note: In Korea, vets are not allowed to disclose the type or name of the medication given to animals in fear of possible future issues on prescribed medication.) So we don’t know and can’t find out what kind of steroid exactly she was given. We also found that the steroid had reacted in a way that gave her the symptoms of Cushing’s disease. Scary. The doctor told us, if she does have Cushing’s disease, then she may only have a few months to live. Devastating.
The vet decided to take her off the steroids and then prescribed another medication to help with her kidney damage from the steroids. What? Not understanding how this seemingly healthy dog with a little blood in her urine could have a few months to live, I started hounding the internet. Trying to find information about steroids, crystals, Schnauzers, holistic diets…everything. The day after the vet visit, Pepper was in good spirits. Happy, playing and interested in our movements. After her dinner, she was still acting the same, until around midnight she projectile vomited. A lot. Mostly water but still a mess. Then the same again this morning.
Our concern now is that the steroid treatment could have brought on symptoms and a possibility of Cushing’s disease, which I do understand is deadly. And a lot more common in Schnauzers. Or the steroids have made her so thirsty that she is over-hydrated. Steroid withdraws and over-hydration can cause vomiting. Right? Other than the excessive water drinking, which is slowing down, and her potbelly, she is acting normal. She is excited to see us when we come home. She was excited and playful when I took her out for a walk. She still does her job, barking, when she hears strange noises outside. Now she is napping and her breathing seems normal. No longer panting like a week ago.
The non-disclosing of the medication and the reasons for the treatment give me great concern. And also make me question the intentions of the vet. For years, I have taken my dogs to the VCA and other hospitals, the amount of information they give to you to monitor your pet on medication is fantastic. Here, if you call another vet they will not question another vets treatment in consideration of their fellow vets. The only paper you walk out with is the receipt from the cash register. Concerning and curious.
Personally I don’t agree with the vet on prescribing the steroid treatment to make her thirsty. Upon more negative findings about steroid use in dogs, if we had known or were allowed to know, I would have never given the steroids to my dog. It is hard to know what to do next. My idea is to monitor her water intake so she isn’t over-hydrating to try to reduce her potbelly. Feed her a little at a time so she doesn’t fill her stomach to much and then end up vomiting. And start her on a good holistic diet to try to break down the stone naturally along with the Royal Canine or Hill’s urinary food.
What are your thoughts on what has happened and what we should be doing?
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on top of that the cost is ,400..I have looked into alternative solutions such as Tripsy and diet changes..Can Anyone help please???