Aa
Is this a common problem for a young cat?
For those who are concerned about my "mood message" (if anyone was concerned?) I noted that one of our cats is staying overnight at the vet hospital for at least two nights.
Both grandma and I noticed since this summer a change in our younger cat's behavior. He had sort of shifted to being less energetic, didn't care much about food (though would eat it.) That wasn't really too much a concern, but grandma noted he kept returning to the litter box and not producing anything. At first we thought it was constapation and tried offering mineral oil. This last week grandma noticed he tried to go some place by the liter box and it was wet... Her siamese cat (now long since passed away) had a similar problem. She called the vet and was told to take him immediatly.
We found out he's got a narrow urethra and it is blocked up with crystals Grandma gave me the news. Later on the vet called stating they were going to keep him another night.. I asked on a scale of 1-10 how bad she would rate it. She gave it an 8.
They stuck a catheter in him and are trying to remove as many crystals as they can. He's going to require a prescription diet, and probably need a special diet for the rest of his life? I'm a bit puzzled because he's only about three, maybe 4 years at the most. He wasn't neutered until probably about a year old. I thought this was something that affected males if they were neutered too early.
The good news is, so far he's been doing fine behaving really well. The vet did not need to anesthetize him because he was so calm. They put him on some pain meds, and according to them, he just stayed still.
Both grandma and I noticed since this summer a change in our younger cat's behavior. He had sort of shifted to being less energetic, didn't care much about food (though would eat it.) That wasn't really too much a concern, but grandma noted he kept returning to the litter box and not producing anything. At first we thought it was constapation and tried offering mineral oil. This last week grandma noticed he tried to go some place by the liter box and it was wet... Her siamese cat (now long since passed away) had a similar problem. She called the vet and was told to take him immediatly.
We found out he's got a narrow urethra and it is blocked up with crystals Grandma gave me the news. Later on the vet called stating they were going to keep him another night.. I asked on a scale of 1-10 how bad she would rate it. She gave it an 8.
They stuck a catheter in him and are trying to remove as many crystals as they can. He's going to require a prescription diet, and probably need a special diet for the rest of his life? I'm a bit puzzled because he's only about three, maybe 4 years at the most. He wasn't neutered until probably about a year old. I thought this was something that affected males if they were neutered too early.
The good news is, so far he's been doing fine behaving really well. The vet did not need to anesthetize him because he was so calm. They put him on some pain meds, and according to them, he just stayed still.
That's what I thought. Yes he would have to recover, but I would hope that he returns to his old self. Maybe grandma is afraid of potential complications? I'll try to talk with her again. If I can get info to print off, maybe it would help ease her anxiety about it. I can hope.
The surgery required does not disable the cat, though! Its not like the cat lives but needs a wheelchair or something.
Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician, thank you for your recommendation. Will pass that on to my grandma.
Well another update, and a potentially upsetting one. He's still not being able to pee, so now they are trying a steroid and some other med. Now if that fails, he will likely need surgery.
What's upsetting me greatly is that my grandma refuses to to put him through surgery and by her quote said "will put him to sleep before she gives him surgery."
Angered, I said I would pay for the surgery (would cost me a bit, but I rather that than having Sahib killed.) But grandma retorted she didn't want a disabled cat.
God, I wish I knew how to deal with her. Once she has her mind made up, there's not much hope changing it. I feel awful, like I wish I had more control about this.... I seriously hope she reconsiders.
Well another update, and a potentially upsetting one. He's still not being able to pee, so now they are trying a steroid and some other med. Now if that fails, he will likely need surgery.
What's upsetting me greatly is that my grandma refuses to to put him through surgery and by her quote said "will put him to sleep before she gives him surgery."
Angered, I said I would pay for the surgery (would cost me a bit, but I rather that than having Sahib killed.) But grandma retorted she didn't want a disabled cat.
God, I wish I knew how to deal with her. Once she has her mind made up, there's not much hope changing it. I feel awful, like I wish I had more control about this.... I seriously hope she reconsiders.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I am glad to hear that your cat is in capable hands...it sure sounds like your veterinarians know what they are doing!
One thing to consider for the future...be sure to try and increase the amount of canned food that your kitty gets. This will help with moisture intake and can help prevent future recurrences of the crystals.
Hope you get him home soon!
One thing to consider for the future...be sure to try and increase the amount of canned food that your kitty gets. This will help with moisture intake and can help prevent future recurrences of the crystals.
Hope you get him home soon!
Sounds like a possible plan. He's due for an appointment and it wouldn't hurt to suggest that to his vet. Today when I picked Waldo up, I thought I got a little pee on me. Sahib did that too time to time. I don't imagine that being typical? It wasn't like he was frightened either. Same with Sahib when that happened.
So far I haven't seen Waldo have difficulty using his litter, but he does have an unusual appetite. He's always hungry! He begs for food or lays in the kitchen whenever someone is in the area. But it's hard to tell. I thought maybe it was just his personality, but it is becoming a problem for grandma when she is cooking. (he not only meows when he begs but will try to rub up against our legs or rest right in key places)
When he is not begging, he's practically motionless. He lays on his side. Both grandma and I thought it was his age. I think I've brought up that concern to a few different vets Waldo has had in the course of owning him. None of them seemed horribly concerned.
So far I haven't seen Waldo have difficulty using his litter, but he does have an unusual appetite. He's always hungry! He begs for food or lays in the kitchen whenever someone is in the area. But it's hard to tell. I thought maybe it was just his personality, but it is becoming a problem for grandma when she is cooking. (he not only meows when he begs but will try to rub up against our legs or rest right in key places)
When he is not begging, he's practically motionless. He lays on his side. Both grandma and I thought it was his age. I think I've brought up that concern to a few different vets Waldo has had in the course of owning him. None of them seemed horribly concerned.
oh i truly hope your vet can get him completely on the mend soon...poor baby.
as far as i know..if there are many tiny crystals present it could take a few days to all flush through.
you know waldo howling like he did can be a sure sign of pain too.
I had a cat with the urine crystals years ago and thats just what he did before I finelly realized something was wrong, maybe good idea to have a urinalysis done on him too????
best to you all
as far as i know..if there are many tiny crystals present it could take a few days to all flush through.
you know waldo howling like he did can be a sure sign of pain too.
I had a cat with the urine crystals years ago and thats just what he did before I finelly realized something was wrong, maybe good idea to have a urinalysis done on him too????
best to you all
Yet another update. He's still there. They were ready to give him over to grandma. They had him in a room where she can hold him. He started scratching at her purse like his litter box. Grandma quickly lifted it away and the vet provided him a box. He tried to use it but nothing came.
The vets want to keep him yet another night to see if he was trying to pee out of irritation from the catheter or if he still is blocked up.
Now I am beginning to be a little worried. How long does it take to clear a cat of urine crystals? Last night after I put Waldo to bed, I heard loud howling meows. Perhaps Waldo is starting to miss Sahib's company too. He's been sort of following grandma around a bit more form what she told me.
The vets want to keep him yet another night to see if he was trying to pee out of irritation from the catheter or if he still is blocked up.
Now I am beginning to be a little worried. How long does it take to clear a cat of urine crystals? Last night after I put Waldo to bed, I heard loud howling meows. Perhaps Waldo is starting to miss Sahib's company too. He's been sort of following grandma around a bit more form what she told me.
I'm not terribly worried about the news so far. It sounds like he's in good care and doing pretty well. Just the process is taking longer than expected, but better that than have him in terrible pain further up the road. In retrospect I wish we would have gotten him in sooner. If it were me, I'd be keeling over in pain, but he's not quite the cat to easily show it when he is suffering. He seemed like a typically happy cat, though a bit less active and not quite as hungry.
I think grandma and I miss him more than Waldo. Waldo thinks he's on vacation and enjoying being the "only" cat for a while. The only thing he seems to be missing is Sahib's food dish and the chance to rob Sahib of his leftover food. You're probably right, Sahib probably misses Waldo. Waldo was something to pounce on, lick, bite and annoy (besides occasionally snuggling with.)
I think grandma and I miss him more than Waldo. Waldo thinks he's on vacation and enjoying being the "only" cat for a while. The only thing he seems to be missing is Sahib's food dish and the chance to rob Sahib of his leftover food. You're probably right, Sahib probably misses Waldo. Waldo was something to pounce on, lick, bite and annoy (besides occasionally snuggling with.)
Thanks for the update! He'll be home soon. I'm sure he misses nagging Waldo!! LOL
Just an update. He's still at the vets. He may possibly be home tomorrow? I'll find out after work if he does come home.
I hope kitty comes home soon. I know changing his diet to the prescription diet will help a lot.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm so sorry to see your kitty in the hospital! They surely do hate those e-collars :( I hope he'll be well enough to come home soon.
I went to visit him. He was just laying there like a lump on a log, with the E coller around his neck and the catheter taped around his tail. Odd how even though he can lay pretty calm at home, he doesn't quite look the same in the vet's area. I think it's the collar, but also the unfamiliar surroundings. I was allowed to open his kennel. I pet him a little on his face and touched his belly a little. Normally I'd rest my hand there and he'd turn over, but I didn't want him to move much so I stopped. He started to perk up, like he may become interested in getting out. I closed the door. I brought my camera with so I can get a picture and show it to grandma first and post it on my profile.
I don't know how long he will be on the prescription diet. I guess it will be long enough to clear out his system, then probably be put on a low magnesium diet, like grandma's older cat was. I think it also had to be low in ash as well.
I don't know how long he will be on the prescription diet. I guess it will be long enough to clear out his system, then probably be put on a low magnesium diet, like grandma's older cat was. I think it also had to be low in ash as well.
Sorry to hear about Sahib, but I'm sure that the vet will have him fixed up in no time. I've also had a cat that got blocked, too. He had to stay at the vets for a few days and also had a catheter in him. He was put on a prescription diet and was fine and didn't become blocked again.
Will be waiting to hear some good updates later! = )
Will be waiting to hear some good updates later! = )
I am glad they arent sending him home to soon. Best to get him all fixed up before they let him go. Keep us posted on his progress.......sara
* correction, they had taken out the catheter and put it back in for today. Just hope that he can get this taken care of so he can go home. Meanwhile my cat seems to be enjoying the time alone. lol.
Wow, thanks for your kind replies. We got a call from the vet this morning. They are going to keep him yet another day because he still has blockage. Everything else seemed positive. He ate and passed stool. They don't have the catheter in him anymore. They are still amazed with how calm and laid back he is. That certainly is a blessing for all of us. I guess that's one thing that's purely up to the cat and no one else, lol.
Good morning MJ;
I had an older female cat who had a similar problem, which the vet found quite unusual as she'd seen these crystal blockages only in males.
She suggested that, in addition to foods for urinary health, that a little bit of cider vinegar in the cats' water would help, too. About a tablespoon per pint, not enough to affect taste, but just enough to affect the pH balance a little. Her theory was that water toward the hard side is slightly alkaline and the bit of venegar would helpeven things out.
I had an older female cat who had a similar problem, which the vet found quite unusual as she'd seen these crystal blockages only in males.
She suggested that, in addition to foods for urinary health, that a little bit of cider vinegar in the cats' water would help, too. About a tablespoon per pint, not enough to affect taste, but just enough to affect the pH balance a little. Her theory was that water toward the hard side is slightly alkaline and the bit of venegar would helpeven things out.
Snickers had the same thing happen at about 4 yrs of age. He is 8 now and is on a prescription diet and hasnt had any trouble since. I hope he gets home tomorrow and gets back to his cat self!!!! sara
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Cats Community
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
