So... I feel like a horrible momma, but there were signs that I just missed in the last week or so.  I took Hailey to the vet today and got meds for a bladder infection  Poor little thing.

We didn't realize it until she peed in OUR bed twice and didn't seem to notice!  First time was on Saturday night.  I went to bed early and left the bedroom door open.  John was still at his computer, so Hailey could have easily gotten up and let him know.  Instead, he climbed into bed a few hours later and the bed was soaked where she was laying (not on me, but next to me).  It seemed weird, but I thought maybe I was too dead asleep to notice she had gotten up?  Well- she did it again two nights ago.  John woke up in the morning, I stretched out and my feet hit where she was laying and the bed was soaked through again.  It wasn't warm, so it was clear that it had been a while and she was just laying in it

Then the signs started to come together.  She had been asking to go outside more often (every 2 hours instead of every 4).  I thought it was just all the snow she'd been eating (which the vet said it might have been.  Dogs do it naturally when they have an infection because they somehow know that it will flush it out).  She was getting into more fights with Koda (ie- she didn't feel well and didn't want to be bothered).  Then I realized that she'd stopped sleeping in her bed.  I thought that hers was just old and finally got too uncomfortable (Koda's is nicer so she was stealing his).  I picked up her bed and smelled and sure enough, she had wet her bed at some point and we didn't notice  

The poor little thing  I feel HORRIBLE.  She's on meds now and the vet said it should clear up in a couple of days.  He said she could be showing early signs of incontinence too, so to keep a watch out for her.  I guess mild bladder infections can be a symptom.

I feel like such a bad mommy

Awww poor Hailey But you are NOT a bad mommy! I wouldn't have noticed that either. You don't think that your doggie has a bladder infection because she peeded in your bed...even if she never does that. I'm glad that she's on meds and will be ok in a few days. Poor thing...those things hurt

Sweetie, you're definitely not a bad momma! Hindsight is 20/20 so don't beat yourself up for not putting all the pieces together as things were happening.

Bladder infections happen often enough that it's not something you should ever feel bad about happening either. Maybe it could be an early incontinence sign but maybe not. Did your vet say if there was a percentage of dogs with histories of bladder infections that later become incontinent? I wouldn't think the worst right now. Her infection is easily treatable and she is LUCKY to have such a good momma that took her to the vet as soon as you did. Believe me, this pales in comparison with the pet drama my sister is going through right now, you look like a savior compared to my sister.

He definitely didn't say that it was common, just that it was more common in females. He said that bladder infections can BE caused by incontinence because of the excess build-up of moisture from the leaking. He did make it pretty clear that it was likely just the bladder infection, but that the not recognizing that she was "leaking" made him concerned enough to mention that if signs persisted that she should come back in.

Don't quote me on this, but I got the impression that dogs normally show more signs of pain. Hailey shows NO signs of pain at all, just a slight increased urgency and leaking. He said most likely it's just the infection and no big deal, but he made sure I was keeping a good watch on her to make sure the symptoms go away because if they don't, he wants to see her again soon. That's all I didn't mean to be misleading there

And thanks for the support I'm just home all day with them, I feel like I should have realized that there was a problem sooner

Tori (and Val): If I could be half the 'husky-mom' you are, I'd be so happy!

Tori - you're are FAR from being a bad momma....

The important thing is that you took her in fairly quickly especially if it's been less than a week since you started noticing things. Don't forget what happened to our departed guinea pig, Minnie. She showed signs of something being wrong for 2 weeks and I didn't put two and two together. Only after her death did I finally connect the dots and realize that I should have noticed something was seriously off and that she needed help.

Hailey is lucky to have such a caring mom!

Keep us updated on how she progresses! Hopefully that is the case that she is not in pain, and not that she's just hiding her discomfort. Get better soon Hailey!

I hope Hailey gets better soon! at least you caught it when you did it could have gone on longer. your a fantastic momma!

Aww. Thanks everyone (especially Claudia! So sweet! ).

He poked an prodded a lot around her bladder and bowels, etc. She's just a little trooper. She also got three shots today (she was due on some vaccines) and didn't even flinch. The vet was actually in love with her. He couldn't say enough nice things at how well-behaved and beautiful she was.

I will definitely keep you all posted. Thanks again for the encouragement and support!

Poor thing! It took me a week or so to figure out Cheyenne had a UTI when we got her... I just thought she was being a bratty husky pup and didn't want to be housebroken!

aww i hope hailey gets better soon!

I'm hoping Hailey recovers quickly.

You aren't a bad mom.

I am constantly amazed at how stoic huskies are.

Oh Tori! I'm so sorry! YOU ARE NOT A BAD DOG MOM! You're fantastic!! I really hope this is a one time deal for Hailey and that she recovers quickly. Lots of healthy, healing juju being sent her way.

Sorry about Hailey, but glad you caught it!!!! Hope she feels better soon.

Thanks, everyone! Hailey seems to be in good spirits, but she appreciates everyone's well-wishes I'm sure

Just an update: Hailey hasn't had an accident since we took her to the vet and got meds. She's in much better spirits and has been able to hold it for 4 hours now during the day and all night. So it sounds like the meds are doing their job!

Thanks again for the support all.

Yay! So glad to hear you've had quick, good results!

Did they have her on liquid antibiotics? If they did, and gave you syringes, you should save the syringes from her medication for times like your recent brownie incident.

Glad she is feeling better!

Huskyluv wrote:

Yay! So glad to hear you've had quick, good results!

Did they have her on liquid antibiotics? If they did, and gave you syringes, you should save the syringes from her medication for times like your recent brownie incident.

Nope- they gave us pills actually (Hailey is awesome with them. She'll eat anything LoL). However, after our last convo, I made John stop at the pet store on his way home from work and pick up a packet of syringes. Apparently the pet store woman thought he was crazy and was a little snooty about it. "Goodness, how often do you have to give him peroxide?" Stupid people. Not often, I just don't rush my dog to the vet like most people and like to be prepared!

So happy to hear Hailey is doing better!

Another update: We've taken some steps back... she had an accident again last night and all of a sudden today she's going back to every 2 hours she needs to go out. We've been perfect with her meds, so I need to call the vet back He said that the ammoxicillin doesn't work for every dog so I'm hoping it's just a medicine change that's needed

I hope it's just an Rx change....

awww poor Hailey! When are you taking her in?

Waiting for a call back from the vet...

Hope Hailey starts responding to new meds soon!!!

Vet just called back. He said the ammoxicillin WAS working to clear up the infection, but I guess it wasn't strong enough, so it stopped working he said. Hence the progress and then the huge step back today. I'm off to pick up another round of antibiotics that are a little stronger. It sounds weird, but in the appointment the first time, he did mention that this was possible, so I believe him.

My poor little Hailey! She just about breaks your heart normally with how pathetic and cute she is, but when she's not feeling well like this it just about kills you...