I Need Help

[Ghilly]

As a co-Community Leader on the Dogs board, I'm usually the one giving out advice to people, and right now I have a problem that I can't answer, and I feel so lost I don't know what to do.  A few months ago, DH and I were adopted by a stray Siamese who started following us around here at the hotel.  I know he's not feral because he was WAY too easy to turn into a pet, I think he must have lived with someone and wandered away from home, perhaps because there were feral females in heat over here.  By the time he found us he was in horrible shape, he was bone-skinny and he had a couple of abcesses that were draining, he was just a mess.

We took him in, had him neutered, and now he weighs 13 pounds.  He's gorgeous and he's lovable and friendly, and right now he is battling a urinary tract blockage that has me so worried I don't know what to do.  The doctor unblocked him yesterday and he came home.  He was able to urinate fine last night, but today he started acting like he was having trouble again, so we took him back to the vet.  She said his bladder was pretty empty and he had urine on his feet, so he had urinated in his crate on the way to the vet's office, but he has been home since about 4:30 now and DH has been following him around the house and looking to see what he's doing, if anything is coming out, and nothing is.  I called the doctor and she doesn't have a technician tonight, so she said to bring him back in at 7:30 tomorrow morning.  I asked her if he'll be OK until morning, and she said if he isn't blocking up because of kidney damage he'll be OK.  If he is, he may not be.  She's already talking about doing the urethrostomy surgery.  I asked her if we could try catheterizing him one more time and she said yes, but she seems to be pushing this surgery.  

The problem is that if I sold everything I have I don't think I'd have enough to have the surgery done because of my own medical conditions and the cost every month of my doctor co-pays and prescriptions.  DH just started a new business and we just dumped every spare dime we had into that, and now this happens and we are just beside ourselves.  Does anyone have any experience with those organizations that help people who can't afford exorbitant veterinary bills to have their pets treated?  I don't want charity, I will pay them back, but right now I need to get with an organization that will help Buddy with this surgery, because I get the feeling this doctor doesn't want to mess around with multiple catheterizations, she just wants to re-pipe him and be done with it.  I personally have no experience with them, and would like some advice from someone who has.  

Ghilly

[Ghilly]

Buddy is 100% back to normal!  That second night was scary, we thought he had plugged up again because he was walking around trying to go and nothing was happening, but once he left the puddle on the kitchen floor, that was it, he never had any other problems.  

He did have DH a bit worried because he kept squatting and leaving a few dribbles by the front door, but I told him that he was doing that because he had a UTI, and that was his way of letting us know that something was wrong.  DH said "but we're giving him antibiotics!" and I told him "yes, but he still feels like he has to go all the time because of the infection, he doesn't know that the antibiotics are supposed to help and that he no longer has to let us know that something is wrong because we already know."  He thought about it for a minute and said "yeah, but what if he keeps peeing by the front door?  That's going to be a huge mess!" and I told him "Mark my words.  As soon as the infection is cleared up and he feels normal again, he will NOT pee near the front door."  

That man.  One of these days he will listen to me and remember that I AM ALWAYS RIGHT!!!!  ROFL!  I need to make him write it 100 times - My wife is always right.    Ah well.  Maybe someday.

Ghilly

[dominosarah]

Hope you are still finding puddles!!!!  Keep us posted          sara

[PrettyKitty1]

aw hon...poor kitty. I can imagine how you must have felt. Let us know how he is doing, please. I'm pretty sure you're doing all the right things, so my only advice to you is Keep Up the Good Work!!!

Hugs!

[lonewolf07]

Did the cat have FUS?  Can he go on a special diet to keep the ash content down and prevent the crystals from forming?  My son's cat, ironically named Buddy Lee, had FUS and after being on that diet, he never had it again.  Your cat might have a different problem.

Yay that he is feeling better  = )

wolf and cats

[marissposa]

yay!

[Ghilly]

UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE

I never thought I'd be so glad to see a puddle of pee on my kitchen floor!

He did it!  He did it!  It looks like he's going to be fine!

We're going to keep a close eye on him today, but at least for now, it looks like he's not going to have to be cath'd again!  Please keep those fingers crossed for us, everyone!  Thanks so much in advance!

Ghilly