Over the counter bladder health

[Bkitty2]

What are some herbs/supplements that are safe to give cats that are over the counter to help with bladder infections/UTI's? We  just cleaned the litter boxes and someone is peeing massive amounts of blood. I know its not Milo-he uses the upstairs box. We 5 other cats to rule out. Sigh....None are acting weird.

[opus88]

Oh good for poor little Beener...he's sure a fighter!!! he must have smelled like a clinic dog for puppy to pee on him, man he had a tough day.

all the supplements I mentioned above bkitty are also very good for any bladder problems...they soothe the mucosa lining and promote good ph along with WET food...sure would be good to have Beener on these as well..

sending him some healing vibes and you all the ((>^.^<))

[Bkitty2]

Thank You Opus! Beener had a bladder infection, no stones but shows Crystal in the urine. He is being treated with Baytril & pain medication (Onsir) for pain management. He is eating and peeing well. He just sleeps. He was in the corner earlier and our puppy sniffed him, hiked his leg & peed on him. My poor baby boy. Its rough seeing him so old like this. I believe his quality of life is still good. He mostly sleeps and maybe once a day he runs around crazy. Thanks for the info. ((hugs))

[opus88]

How did little Beener make out at the clinic???? Is he doing alright? was it a stone????
plz update us bkitty....

Cosequin is a good choice to help with bladder health as furmom reported. thru a Vet it would be quite expense. its basically just chondroitin/glucosamine. I will post the supplement and brand cat people use as a much cheaper alternative. I buy from iherb b/c they
sell the Natural Factors brand which is FREE of all artificial preservatives, color and sweetners, also NO corn, dairy, soy, wheat or yeast.
1/3 of a capsule would be the same as a full capsule of cosequin.

http://www.iherb.com/Natural-Factors-Glucosamine-Chondroitin-Sulfates-900-mg-120-Capsules/2591?at=0

another supplement that is very good for soothing the bladder(in cats as well as humans) is a product called Slippery Elm Bark which I have posted about many times in the past.
The brand MOST recommended for cats is NOW FOODS....I order mine thru iherb.com but if you can buy this locally from your health food store/vitamin supply thats great. I can  re-post the instructions on how to prepare this...simply really, just need to make a gruel with boiling water.
here is the product I refer too and I strongly suggest using this for any kitty with crystal/stones or UTI's..

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Slippery-Elm-Powder-4-oz-113-g/788

as you can see both products are very reasonably priced and will last for months....iherb ships for a mere $4. and is a very reputable company...

[furmomof5]

I have a female cat that has always had bladder issues.  My vet gave her Cosequin and it seemed to calm things down a little.  You just sprinkle it on their food, should be easy enough to make sure all you babies get a little bit if it.  Here is what the internet says about it.

"Some veterinarians also recommend Cosequin to help support urinary bladder health. The inner lining of the bladder wall is protected by a layer, which contains some of the same compounds as are found in cartilage. This layer prevents urine and the waste products contained within it from seeping into and damaging the lining. Since the low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate found in Cosequin is available to more than just cartilage cells, the bladder may use it to help support this protective layer."

[Bkitty2]

I did isolate last night. Beener slept with me & several times thru the night he was in the box scratching and even howling. He is at the Vet.I probably wont be able to get him until tomm.  I have been stalking them most of the day-I had to leave for a while. Its hard to tell with Beener sometimes cuz he randomly howls anyways. Also the puppy we have has special food-sweet potato and salmon meal & I have caught them eating it a few times also. All the older boys are on prescription wet/dry food. The kitten is still on Purina One kitten chow-as they don't make a wet kitten food. This is the only downfall of having soooo many kitties. At least I have the money to get them Vetted as needed. I don't have kids-they are my kids. LOL
Thanks Opus-I will let you know! If it is not Beener I am taking 2 more tomm to the vet. :)

[opus88]

hi....I can give you the names of a few OTC supplements that help soothe the mucosa lining of the bladder to reduce pain and irritation....however bkitty when there is evidence of 'massive' amounts of blood I think you need to isolate the kitties and find out which one has the problem and than a Vet visit, this sounds like an emergency when there is so much blood, very likely a large stone...a very painful condition as you know.Whoever this kitty is he needs pain meds as well as possible surgery... poor baby. please keep us updated.
Have you read this site?

http://catinfo.org/?link=urinarytracthealth