Ectopic Ureters?

[hokisteph5]

I also recommend going to a different vet. I've had vets that were the opposite (e.g. hesitant to suggest x-rays, blood work, etc.) and it's just as frustrating.

[kdavidson78]

I made an appointment at another vet's office.

I also called the Texas A&M University Veterinarty Medical Teaching Hospital and they told me the surgery for a single ectopic ureter would be between $2,500-$3,500 and for both it would be $3,500-$4,500! This is simply not an option for us right now.

I have also decided to not even bother with the breeder anymore and am considering contacting the Better Business Bureau and reporting her. While I can certainly understand where she is coming from, I can't believe she is so unwilling to work with me. I even asked her to refund the money I paid for Cody so that I could apply it to the surgery and she said that if she gave me any money she would want the puppy, but that I would still need to pay for the tests to prove that he has a genetic condition and the transportation. All I want is a healthy, happy puppy.

Weltterr, I believe I found the lecture by the University of Pennsylvania you were referring to and it can be found here:
http://www.hillary.net/school/fall.9...2.lec.10.01.98
The specific information on ectopic ureters is about halfway down the page and it's a very interesting article, thank you for pointing it out!

The Michigan Veterinary Specialists website (Michigan Veterinary Specialists - Ectopic Ureters) stated that the condition is "almost exclusively diagnosed in females," particularly Labrador Retrievers, and that the "CT scan is the best diagnostic tool used to diagnose ectopic ureters."

The more I learn about this, the more I doubt that this is the issue and the more upset I get with the vet I took Cody to. Bliss, the vet did not perform a sterile bladder draw and culture, I am going to ask the new vet to do this on Friday. Geri, I was wrong, Cody is taking 250 mg of Clavamox twice per day. I've decided that I am going to try every other possible alternative, such as giving him Tribrissen, Propalin, Progressive Labs U-TRACT (D-Mannose), PetAlive UTI-Free, and even Baytril (but I am afraid of the bad side effects, such as severe upset stomach), before exploring the idea of surgery further.

Ultimately, I am afraid of what it will mean if he indeed needs ectopic ureter surgery, we don't have pet insurance (I am going to look into this ASAP) and we don't have a few thousand dollars laying around. My wife and I even discussed giving him to a Rottweiler Rescue in the hopes someone who can afford the surgery will provide him with a good home. It tears up my heart, but I don't know what else to do.

Thank you, all of you, for your time and attention, I don't know what I would do if this forum did not exist!

[Barclee]

Try to see if you can get on Baytril? My pup has had a UTI see above for a month or more now...Baytril did the trick (Fingers Crossed). So much better! ;-) I even slept for 6 hours last night! WOOT WOOT!
Barclee's Mom

[jaxie]

A simple urine test could help rule out diabetes or kidney problems. The excessive drinking needs to be looked at, which is not a symptom of ectopic urethers.

[Zephir]

I would have them culture the urine to see what type of antibiotics he needs to be on. And ask about having a contrast x-ray done where they insert dye into the bladder/ kidneys through the penis then take x-rays. The x-rays will help to see any problems. I had this done for Kai last week because it was believed he had a ruptured bladder or a torn ureter. It turned out to be a ruptured bladder which was fixed via surgery. To fix a ureter is extremely expensive so we were fortunate it was his bladder.