Beau's at the vet's again

[Fluffysmom]

My poor Beau boy!  Starting around the 4th I noticed that Beau was making more frequent trips to his two litter boxes.  When I scooped twice a day, I noticed the piddles were smaller and smaller amounts.  Over the weekend I watched him squat and dribble a little urine.  A few times he passed a more respectible amound, like maybe a few tablespoons.  

During the same time period, his stool was getting softer and softer.  I even found a little on my bedroom carpet upstairs, and he only poos in his litter box downstairs.  He produced stool samples at both 7 and 8 am.

Last night I sent an e-mail to my vet's office, then shortly after they opened this morning I called.  We took him in by 9:30.  They wanted him to stay so they could observe him and the doctor could decide on what tests to run.  My roommate is going to pick him up on her way home from work.  She's hoping they call soon so she can leave work early; she's worried about him, too.

I've read so much on this site about crystals in male cat's urine & such that I was getting reallly worried.  The soft stool makes me wonder if I hadn't cleaned well enough here to keep him from reinfecting himself with the giardia that we treated a few months back.  Then there's the Christmas present toys that he shredded & may have swallowed some of...

So here I am, back to the Community that has been so supportive and kind to me in the past, and can take the time to see that Miss Teia is getting even more social and check on everyone else, meet some new people & their furry friends.

[Jade59]

If the Feliway worked for Beau before, it couldn't hurt to get that refill.  Is his appetite back to normal today?

[opus88]

FM....the most common cause of FIC(feline idiopathic cystitis) are crystals in the urine..did the Vet rule this out?
Dis he also rule out an infection?

She is correct in saying NO carbs in the diet. NO Grains. and most definitely a WET diet. NO DRY foods at all. they need plenty of liquids to keep the urine at a healthy PH not too alkaline nor too acidic. Did the Vet measure his PH?

All these urinary tract diseases are basically FLUTD. my Nemo was dx'd with this also(very common in male cats) 2 yrs ago. I keep him crystal free with a very moist diet and occasionally using Glucosamin/Chondrotin
500mg per day for acute stage and 250mg for maintenance after the acute stage. and 125mg long term only if needed. it comes in capsules so just open the cap and measure it out.add to the food or mix with a tiny amount of water and give via syringe or dropper....If I remember correctly 1/2 cap is 500mg( will chk if you decide to buy).
this MSM formula has ANTI-INFLAMATORY action and helps to rebuild and support the protective mucosal surface/GAG layer of the bladder.
the safest one to use for cats must have NO sugar/salt/yeast/wheat/corn/SOY or artificial preservatives. this is a link to the best one on the market

I order mine from iherb.com. very reasonable pr. and shipping.

http://www.iherb.com/Natural-Factors-MSM-Joint-Formula-180-Capsules/2653?at=0


I am sending you two other sites to read up more on this condition. If in doubt always follow your Vets instructions. I just want you to be aware of the potential dangers of Metacam and other alternatives...♥

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/urinary/feline_idiopathic_lower_urinary_tract_disease

http://www.uvma.org/cats/urinary-problems.htm

[Jade59]

Well, this is much better news than it could of been.  I didn't know Wellness Core came in canned food.  I've only seen the bag of dry at Petco.  I'm glad you mentioned that so I can look for it.  

Poor Beau had quite a time at the vet, so I'm sure he is just stressed and will eat a good lunch.  I seem to remember this happening before after a vet visit.  Jade will do that burying ritual too and always with the left paw.  

Keep us posted on his progress, K.  Good luck with the meds!

[Fluffysmom]

Thanks, Opus.

Yes, she did get a sample for testing, too.  The invoice says "urinalysis free catch".  The vet talked with us at length, explaining that the only findings were some red blood cells from inflammation and a few bacteria from his fur, since it wasn't a clean catch urine sample.

I'll check out the link you sent.  Please do sent me info on supplements.  Would a refill for my Feliway diffuser help with the stress portion?

[opus88]

hi.....I have a few questions....was the Vet tech able to get a urine sample , specifically a C&S(other than the one ON her) to rule out crystals &/or UTI?..I imagine she did or how else would this dx have been achieved???

cystitis is often a recurrent disease and I highly recommend using supplements for treatment and prevention. I can tell you specifically what to buy..

I also want to warn you about the NSAID Meloxicam(metacam)....there are many warnings out there that you need to be aware of....Vets prescribe these NSAID to cats and they are NOT safe, up to  you. I will send you the info than you can decide....♥

http://www.metacamkills.com/

[Fluffysmom]

Thanks, Jade and Pip.

We got Beau home around 6:45 last night: he held onto his urine all day, then when the vet tech tried palpating his bladder, had a hissy fit.  We were sitting downstairs & heard him above, hissing, thump as he got away, then more hissing.  The tech told us he peed on her, lol.  She was very good about it.

Good news: no cysts, no giardia!  

Beau's been diagnosed with idiopathic cystitis, an irritation of the bladder lining which causes frequent urination and voiding of small amounts of urine.  Causes unknown, but risk factors include stress of any kind and indoor only lifestyle.  Young male cats and overweight male cats are most at risk.  There's no cure for the irritation which generally resolves within 3-7 days.  He's on Meloxicam , a nonsteroidal antinflammatory liquid medication that's all ready in little daily syringes.  It's just a small amount in each one, so it shouldn't be a problem giving him his meds.

His vet said he's not overweight enough for that to be causing issues, but he is chubby.  He's supposed to consume 250 calories a day to maintain his weight, and eat at least 1/2 of those calories from canned food.  He had some Wellness Core canned food for breakfast.

I may have figured out the stress in his life: because of some oral surgery of been on a liquid and soft diet, and have been making smoothies with frozen fruit.  The first time I used the blender he totally freaked out; my roommate made me turn it off.  I've decided I can only have a smoothie if Beau's asleep upstairs!

After only one dose of his meds last night he already is urinating larger amounts, and his stool was more firm.  I need to check out my vet's website: she has a list of nutritional information for different kinds of canned cat food from Binky's list.  She wants me to make sure he's eating low carbs.  I already have him on the Wellness Core dry food, but she said some of the less expensive canned foods would be as good as the Core canned food for a fraction of the cost.  

He only ate about 1/4 of a 5.5 oz. can of Wellness Core before he walked away, then came back a while later & made motions like he was trying to bury it.  I thought he's be hungry enough for 1/2 a can, but no.  I'll bet he'll ask for lunch today, though he normally only has two meals a day.

Happy family here !

[Piparskeggr]

Heya,

Good luck with Beau, I've dealt with sick, elder kitties and know it is both rewarding and saddening to help them.

I'm glad me reports on Miss Teia bring some measure of happiness to you, as she has to me

[Jade59]

Darn it, I am so sorry to hear Beau is at the Vets again.  I hope and pray it's not the Giardia!  You're so vigilant and such a good fur mom.  I'll check back in later with hopes for a good update.  If it has to be either crystals or giardia, crystals will be easier to cope with.  Hugs to you and your boy, K.