Did the Vet hurt my cats bladder??

[Driia]

Papa's is the name of my 5 yr old, male kitty.  Unfortunately about 2 days ago I noticed something was seriously wrong with him after I found him unable to get comfortable and having trouble moving around.  He would scream (meow VERY loudly) when I touched him near/around his tummy.  After going online and researching a little I realized alot of what he was showing fit the description of FUS (feline uroligic syndrome).  I quickly took him to the Vet that morning only for them to clarify that it was in fact FUS and that poor Papa's had a bladder the size of a softball.  I was unable to afford the close to $600 overnight treatment, so instead the vet kept him for the day, placed a cath (under anesthesia) and sent him home that evening with antibiotics.  That night he was EXTREMELY thirsty, very unbalanced and shaking throughout the night, he finally went tinkle at about 2 am but it was hardly anything.  I was up with him the entire night applying warm compressions and trying to keep him as comfortable as I possibly could.  

DAY #2:  The following day I called the Vet again and asked if it was normal that he wasnt peeing nearly as much urine and he would intake water.  I also mentioned the unbalance and shaking...he said it was probably the uria causing him to be unbalanced and that he needed a lot of water intake to flush it out and also that as long as he was peeing he wasnt worried however if i wanted to take him in he could excrete his urine cause he might possibly have another full bladder which wasnt good.  We took him in that same day and he was able to empty his bladder, prescribed him a diet and gave him pain meds.  

DAY #3:  He is urinating a lot more then before except now its almost as he cannot control where he does it.  He'll release small amounts of urine while sitting or laying , also the smell is horrible and it doesnt smell like normal urine it almost has a chemical smell to it.  His fur is constantly wet all along his private and down his legs and tail.  He will not eat although he does drink water.  He often just wants to stay in the litter box.  On a more positive note he does walk a little more and will pur here and there especially when I apply the warm compression to his tummy.  I feel horrible...he is more alert but you can still tell that something just doesnt seem right.  Is this normal?? Might the Vet have cause more damage after excreting his urine?? Is there a possibility that I may have to put him down?!  Or is this normal after all the trauma hes gone through??  I am the BIGGEST worry-wort and to be frankly honest I just dont want my angel to be suffering. PLEASE HELP!!!

[Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM]

I am glad to help.
FUS (Feline Urologic Syndrome) which is now termed FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease) is very common in male cats and once blocked and not able to urinate this is a true life and death emergency.

Cats generally can live from 24-72 hours once blocked until they either are provided with relief or this can be fatal. You were correct to rush him to your vet.

FLUTD is also a recurrent condition.

It is critical that your cat eats ASAP or else  Feline Fatty Liver Disease may occur which further complicates this issue. I would see your vet and correct this. Valium given by mouth or IV injection, works well to stimulate appetite immediately in cats like yours.

Once your cat is able to urinate freely and is eating, we have had excellent results preventing recurrences in FLUTD cats like yours using 2 natural products both available at www.drcarol.com. VitaLife Cat Supplements and Cat Urine-Eaze.

I hope this is somewhat helpful.

Feel free to contact our office if I can help further.

Best Wishes
Dr Carol Osborne, DVM

[OldWays]

My Kitty had urinary troubles that he too had to be catheterized, and was put on med's for a week to help his kidneys/bladder to repair.  Since then, we have him on Veterinary Urinary OS food.  It's my understanding that it's the cheap food, we buy in the grocery store with so much questionable meal, and ash that is causing this issue with our babies.  I have 3 cats, various ages and breeds, and I add 1 can of water packed chunk tuna (chunk is better quality than flaked)with a full can worth of water to their diet everyday.  My vet, whom I trust, said if I continued with the cheap food I could see repetitions of this urinary problem.  It costs more, so I do without something to pay for it, because I love my flurry friends, who are my babies.  Also, make sure your pet is drinking, we had a short glass on the bathroom counter that they drank from, which we rinsed, changed water, everytime we washed our hands, and I changed that with the advised large bowl, because if their whiskers touch the sides, they will not drink as much.  I tested this, and my furry friends, drink double the amount.  And one more thing.  Make sure you give him some wet food everyday, so he'll have water no matter what.
Blessings