recurrent urinary track infections

[cori]

My 9 year old collie, lab, shepherd mix has recurrent urinary track infections. She was found to have crystals in her urine a couple of years ago and was switched to an all life stage formula Canidae dry dog food. She has been put on a course of prednisone and amoxicillin several times in the past three years. I am curious...would switching antibiotics help?...she seems to have had this problem several times now in the past three years and they give her the same antibiotic and say the next step is expensive testing. ? I am thinking...maybe the antibiotic has lost it's "charm"?...also wondering if there is something else we can try.

[PawsitivePet]

The first thing to do would be to have a culture done to make sure the proper antibiotic is being prescribed for the strain of bacteria causing the infection.

Once you know the correct antibiotic is being administered, have the urine checked prior to the completion of antibiotic therapy to be certain there is no longer bacteria present in the urine. Obviously, if there is still bacteria present, you will need to give a longer course of antibiotics.

Second, you'd want to find out what type of crystals he had and modify his diet accordingly. Having the urine PH tested a couple of months after the infection has cleared up can help you determine the changes you'll want to make in his diet.

[cori]

yes...we have done that...several times in the past. The infections clear...but recur over a period of three or four months...even though we have switched her diet to the prescribed Canida all-stages diet.
Just wondering if anyone has any other ideas?

[PawsitivePet]

I am going to send you a PM directing you elsewhere - I have done a lot of research on these issues, as did one other person, it would be easier just to have to go there to do some reading.