Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: bunglycat on February 24, 2012, 21:52:50 PM
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I am beginning to think I have a curse on me ,the cats or both!
Fifi has cystitis yet again ,she goes around 6 months and starts again.
There is no reason for it, she cannot possibly be stressed , plenty of food and water always down, no strange cats to bother her , Winston and Pandora don't upset her and I am home a lot ! In fact I hardly go out !
The only reason I can think ,is she will not under any circumstances eat wet food only lick a bit of Felix once or twice a week if I am lucky. All she will eat is Rc sensitive biscuits , she drinks well . I can't put cystease in water or food .
Off to the vets in the morning again , I might as well move in I am there so much !
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Maybe she's coming out in sympathy with you hon. You've had a :censored: awful couple of months with Smartie & Sophie going to the bridge. Pretty sure you're not cursed hon, just a rough patch. Better things to come. Xxxx
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Sorry to hear this :hug: would she not even eat some cooked chicken with some extra liquid poured over it? - or any other meat come to that (as opposed to normal tinned/pouch cat food I mean :) ) Perhaps turkey? - its flavour seems to be more attractive to cats than chicken - well, to my cats anyways ;)
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So sorry but you and the cats have been through a lot in the last few months and am sure the vet will help her :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Just rang you Gillian.
No, she ate some chicken once and it literally went straight through her, turkey is the same . She won't eat any type of meat or fish , as far as food goes she is a pain as I am sure it's because she only eats biscuits. She does drink though and always water there.
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Would she have that Liquivite stuff?
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Have you tried soaking her buiscuits in water?
Something one of my vets suggested for Napoleon but his biscuits just would not go soft!
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Will ask about the Liquivite , yes Gill, she has had her biscuits soaked in water before when she had a abscess.
Given her some meta am stuff tonight , that will help till tomorrow.
Thanks
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Sorry to hear about Fifi. How is she today? I'm lucky that my girl who gets cystitis will eat wet food, but I do occasionally give her some cat milk (to which I had a little water) to keep up liquids - you might not want to do this, but it could be worth a try. You've obviously got Metacam. Is she on a maintenace dose of cystease or cystaid?
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Took her to the vets Saturday and she had 2 injections. He said to try and give her tablets from Sunday onward ( last time had to go every day for injections)
Well, that was fun ! If she wasn't stressed before she is now and me too.
I tried tablet with syringe of water to wash down, resut , one cat holding tablet in mouth ,dribbling and frothing !
Then left for a bit , found tablet on floor !
Decided to crush tablet ,add water and syringe, wrapped her in towel this time .
Result , one cat spitting , dribbling and general going berserk ,add to that , me with deep scratch on one side of thumb and fang gone through other sidebar, and scratched left hand as well!
Result , vets visit this afternoon for her , and I have just got back from doctors with antibiotics and a double size thumb !
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Oh no! Will she eat those Webbox treats Gill? if so, you could maybe try pushing the pill inside, this is how I give Harry his BP tablets - he just thinks he's getting a treat before breakfast every day lol! :evillaugh: - mind you his tabs are tiny.
Hope your thumbs ok, thats all you need :hug:
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Hope the vet's visit goes okay this afternoon and you are much better than Fifi about taking your medication! Let us know how she gets on.
Like you say, if Fifi wasn't stressed before, she will be now with tablets or more vet's visits and it's the last thing you want. It's a vicious circle once they get cystitis, isn't it? Luckily the tablets my vet prescribed for Lottie were beef flavoured and I could mix them in with her wet food. It might be worth asking the vet if you can crush the ones you've got as it won't make too much powder and she may not notice with her biscuits. It might not work but has to be worth a try to avoid too many vet's visits!
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Watch that thumb cos you may need abs yourself.
Looks like pilling is not the way to go and if cats wont eat wet food, its almost impossible.
I cant remember what Misa had for stress induced cystitus............a 2 week jab? Definately not pills or anything for his food and am sure he only went to vets once.
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Got some abs from doctor!
Fifi had the long lasting one last time and it didn't work
The only ones that worked were these once a day ones I think they are baytril
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Isnt life so bloomin hard :hug: :hug:
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It definitely feels like it and has done for ages !
He has now tried her on one lasting 2 days to see how she goes , it's a 30 mile round trip , so thinking he is trying to save my petrol! Luckily this car is pretty economical .
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I do hope the two day one helps. A 30 mile trip with a stressed out cat is no joke. Js he treating her with inflammatories, ABs or for the pain? Hope you don't mind me asking, but how old is Fifi and how long has she been getting cystitis? My girl developed it when she was ten and had her first lot about two and a half years ago.
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I think it's just antibiotic jabs , he gave her metacam on Saturday as well.
Fifi is around 14 years , not really sure and I got her when she was 10 years. She has had it every 6 months!
I don't think she is keen on me , I think she prefers men as the last owner was a man , I also don't think she is overly happy here , I don't know why but she hates you doing anything to her like grooming , cleaning eyes etc.
I often think she would be better as a only cat with a man to pamper her , but at her age I couldnt see anyone taking her on. She has no other health issues though.
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is she the one you got of diddydawn Gill?
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Yes, I got nothing to go on regarding her age and she was in a bit of a scruffy and smelly way.
I think Dawns ex husband had her with him a lot and her owner before that was a man, that's who Dawn is with now !
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How's Fifi today? Hopefully she will pick up soon and you can relax. When Lottie has cystitis and has jabs, they are a combination of an anti-biotic and an anti-inflammatory, so maybe they gave Fifi something similar.
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No change, the 2 day different one hasn't worked. Having to go back again tonight !
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Oh No Bungly. Sorry just catching up from a few days away.
This is just what you didn't need :(
Is there a dry version of the food like the boys get for Crystals? My boys thoroughly enjoyed Tufty's Hills SD and CD range which contain the crystal dissolving agent and an appetiser to make them eat (and drink) more.
This went alsongside the AB shot for the first month and did the trick.
I wonder if there's a similar dry product for the girly version of UTI? See if your vet can help tonight. :hug: :hug:
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Hope the vet can sort this out tonight :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Thanks, she hasn't got crystals though .
I have to go back tomorrow, this is what happened last time ( except I didn't try the tablets and didn't get bit !)
It seems to be 7 days of daily injections !
I think I have had my share of bad luck now , it's been going on so long I have had enough !
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I am sure your luck will change :hug: :hug:
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I can understand you've had enough watching her go through this, the worry and having to visit the vet every day. I know I feel like I'm at the end of my tether with it sometimes - it's often worse at night (so bang goes that much needed beauty sleep) and knowing they are constantly trying to go isn't much fun, on top of cleaning up everywhere. As soon as it starts I give her food with cystease in it, but after that I try and leave her alone so she doesn't pick up on my stress, but it doesn't get any easier not knowing how long it's going to continue. Not sure if the vet is giving her ABs or anti-inflammatories, but it might be worth asking about the latter - if it doesn't feel so inflammed it might stop her trying to go so much and she can relax. I know a good vet is more important, but hopefully you've got one that doesn't charge too much!
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Sat in vets now
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:hug: :hug: :hug:
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Fingers crossed it goes well!
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How has it gone?
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Hope all is ok with Fifi :hug: :hug:
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Just another injection and back tomorrow. She doesn't seem much better either!
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Need to give em time to work :hug: :hug:
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Glad you're both home safe tonight. Look after yourself :hug:
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Yes, she had 2 sat. Then the tablet problem on Sun. Then a different 2 day one Monday , then the other one yesterday and today !
Hoping tomorrow will bring improvement.
Pauline is coming Friday and she has ask me to see if the vet will let me have Fridays injection and she will do it , save on one days petrol as it's a 30 mile round trip every day.
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Aww Bungly. Sounds like you need some of these :hug: :hug: :hug:
Hope vet lets you have the jab, 30 miles a day is no joke. :car:
Does Fifi look any better at all, even a little bit?
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Luckily I only needed one lot of injections this time for Lottie, but last time she had to have four lots of injections every other day. Based on this, hopefully you see an improvement soon if you haven't already. You may not want to give Fifi cat milk, but I give Lottie a small amount with a few drops of water added to keep up her liquid intake during cystitis.
How is she today? Is she constantly trying to go when she's awake, or does she manage to relax sometimes?
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Hope that the meds are starting to kick in :hug: :hug:
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Not yet Gill !
He has drawn up 3 injections tonight to last till Monday . Pauline is coming tomorrow and going to show me how to inject. Have seen the vet do it hundreds of times ,but not done it myself.
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Can you practise on a cushion cover or something? Not sure I'd know how hard to poke ! Good that you have the jabs. Hope they start working soon. :hug:
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If its just under the skin and Fifi is placid , then not too much a problem.
I always used get extra syringes full!
One thing is the skin of a cat is quite tough and if it the contents of the the syringe looks like water an very fine needle is preferable. You dont just pin prick the skin cos it will hurt them but one jab and straight in and not through!
Is it in the scruff?
You wouldnt have known this but a two hundred mil ? syringe I found easier to use cos its short and stuby and fits easier into hand and therefore more controllable.
It would have been good for the vet to let you have a try with distilled water......I think thats what they use.
Good luck
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Are things easing at all for Fifi (and you)? I know it's not easy. Is she trying to go constantly when she's awake or does she manage to relax a bit? How long does Fifi normally have cystitis for? Lottie used to get in on and off for a few days, then she had one occasion it was on for a month and last time it was about two and half weeks.
I hope the injections go well - let us know how you get on with it. It's great if you can avoid those long trips for a few days.
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How did you get on with the infections over the weekend - hopefully it went okay for you and Fifi? How is she today?
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Well, Fifi is now ok again for now .
Pauline did Fridays injection and showed me how to do it.
I am really proud of myself for doing them Sat and Sun, but when a cat needs helping you have no choice .
She never batted a eyelid either , much easier than trying to pill her.
They are Baytril injections.
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Way to go Gill and Fifi and injections are so much easier than tableting here
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Definitely Liz, I still have all my fingers doing injections and not tablets !
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So pleased it went well............I was always a nervous wreck no matter how many I did. :hug: :hug:
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What a relief you managed with the injections and Fifi seems better. Does Fifi have to have any more injections to complete a course, or is that it for now?
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No more , she has had 7 and that usually does it, thank goodness.
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Have to say after doing the 2 Diabetics Sweetie and Tiger feral, injecting Inca feral with Heparin twice a day for 6 weeks and various other steroids, antibiotics and the antivenom for Sunny when he was bitten by the adder I now always ask does that come in injection form so much easier quicker and no chance of loosing skin!!! :evillaugh:
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Glad to hear Fifi is doing well - what at relief for you. It's a bit different everytime for Lottie, so I never know quite what treatment she'll need and how long it's going to take. Lottie has been clear for just over two weeks now, but I'll keep her on cystease twice daily for a few more days - on a couple of occasions I reduced it back to one at two weeks and the cysititis has come back, so I've learnt my lesson now - another week is needed!
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Resurrected as she has got it again tonight !
This is driving me mad as its now costing around £100 each time she gets it due to not being able to tablet her, beginning to,think she would fare better somewhere else as she cant be happy here to keep getting it and I will end up bankrupt at this rate .
I am so sick and fed up of having all these problems with the cats and their health !
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If its stress cystitus then there must be a reason but doesnt this go back a long way? What does the vet say?
You should be claiming on the insurance every time.........how much excess do you have.
If its not long between times then the vet can make it all one case, so excess only paid once.
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Fifi isnt insured !
She is 14 and has had this since i got her at 10 years old .
She has always had it and no idea to why she gets it. There is no-one to bother her or upset her . She has a heated bed or three to herself !
Food and water always available , she can go out if she want to .
This is really getting me down though - if its not one thing its another with them !
I have to take Cody tomorrow as it is , now her as well !
Winston is booked in next week for his booster too .
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Can't offer much advice but send hugs for your lot from ours and can sympathise with the vets bills, being a tad cheeky could you ask for some discount from them as you have a few registered and this might help
I think everything is getting on top of you and perhaps they are picking up your stress and adding to their own worries :hug: :hug:
Can only suggest the usual things that work for us when we have a stressful time here, some RR in the water, a couple of Feliway plug ins and my standby some Zulkene it takes the edge of the situation and the cats are calmer - I tend to use it on the newbies and some of the sharp edged ferals who are sent a tad off if anything in their world is out of kilter
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Bungly, the Baytril injection solution is available on-line from Viovet. Ask your vet to give you a prescription to cut the costs.
http://www.viovet.co.uk/Prescription_Drugs-Prescription_Drugs_A_-_C-Baytril/c1_31_566/category.html
My vet is happy to do this for me as he knows how many cats I have and that only 5 of the eight are insured.
I do sympathise, it's so hard when its not one of your friendly cats that's eating up all the funds. (Somehow one doesn't mind the cost so much when it's a cat whose got one's heart).
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Sorry to hear Fifi has cystitis again. I can well understand where you're coming from with your comments and certainly sympathcize, the last couple of times Lottie has had cystitis I think I can't cope with this any more - following her around the house cleaning up blood, listening to her scratching around the house at night and watching her go through it. On the other hand, I love her to bits and only someone with lots of patience and experience of cats is going to take on a 12 year old cat with a problem like this. You can't win. Lottie's cystitis also started when she was nine was a fairly close age to Fifi. I've looked at it from all angles over the last couple of years, stress - trying to be calmer in the house, more relaxed, trying to give her her own space more, changing diet to wet food, , giving cystease daily, using Feliway diffusers during stressful times (ie workmen in, school holidays) but I don't think they make any difference as I can't see any changes etc etc. I haven't tried Zyklene though.
I'm sure you've told me, but how often does she get it? You've probably thought about it, but if she gets it again so soon, it might be worth getting her tested again. Let us know how how you're coping with it. Why do these things always happen at night, on Sunday or near holidays when the vets aren't so readily available!
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How's Fifi now? Did you get any injections to administer over the weekend with it being a holiday?
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Here we go again!
Started again tonight, so off to the vets tomorrow .
Lasted about 7 weeks this time .
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Sorry to hear this, do you think there's an underlying condition or is it something she's doing to cause it? Poor Fifi (and poor you :hug: :hug: )
There's another bank holiday coming up, don't forget they may need to give you extra doses of meds for her.
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I have no idea Sheila.
She always seems relaxed , sleeps a fair bit , she is around 14 .
A couple of years ago ,they had her in and did loads of tests and couldn't find anything , not even one crystal or stone !
She has had it on and off , more on lately from when I got her 4 years ago .
Got an appointment for 2pm
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How did you get on Bungly? I know it's a long trek for you and always a worry just before the week-end. :shify:
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She had 2 injections and got 4 to bring home . Have to ring if I think she needs more and then go pick them up ,which I may do anyway with it being a long bank holiday .anyone know how long they last ?
If I have them and don't need them this time they will do for next time as I know there will be a next time !
It's been 7 weeks this time .
Thanks
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There should be a "Use by" date on the pack somewhere, I'd think. Most meds have it somewhere.
I did wonder if you could buy this on-line and dose it yourself, save yourself the trip if you know the vet is always going to prescribe these ABs but you'd need your vet's (or Pauline's ?) expert advice on this.
How are the other cats doing??
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The vet draws these up himself , but never thought to ask how long they last , will make a note and ask him .
All others are not too bad thanks . Pandora seems to have a touch of hay fever , there is a large field of rapeseed at the bottom of my garden , so have been giving her a very small dose of steroids until I can go out and get some portion for her .
Winston is ok , only the touch of arthritis in his front leg .
Kittens are nearly not kittens ! Coming up soon to one year old , still a bit greedy , but not so bad this hot weather .
Thanks for asking .
How are yours all doing ?
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This suggests you could buy a bottle of ABs and draw them up just as the vet does.
Thanks for asking, Sylvester da sly still has his wobbly clown shoes on, no idea what's causing it (diagnosis idiopathic) but I have just had the conversation with OH and we're biting the bullet to see a neurologist with him next weekend. Eek, no insurance but he's only three years old and has so much life in him yet.
Chubby, our FIV, is a worry as he's dropping weight fast now. He's happy enough and eating well so I don't want to tempt fate by booking him in at the vets just yet, but this may be his last summer, let it be a good one.
Three furbs are getting older and grumpier, but all their lives are full and happy. Looking after these guys makes so much sense, we don't have the energy or time for kittens and there are so many deserving older cats out there who need our sort of care.
Tufty, however is getting fitter and healthier, and sometimes more affectionate (sometimes). He's begun defending the house from other strays, so I guess he's here to stay :) Tufty and Sly are ten years younger than Beau and Sam, so we have a true generation gap, with Theo and Chubby somewhere in between.
The girls Pursley and Polly get on just fine, surprisingly. Polly is quick with her claws and gives anyone bothering her a short sharp shock usually resulting in a bloody nose. For a half pint only eight weeks in to her new home, she's got them all by the short ones :sneaky:
Pursley is 15 and deaf as a post, her BAD side subsided with her hearing, so now she gets bullied by Beau and Sam, but she's still got Dad's pillow which means she's still winning.
With one FIV confirmed, two more ex-strays and three others over 14, I'm counting my blessings that life for the moment is sweet. My time will come, I know, and I hope to God we can cope when it does, but until then, pass the bottle 'cos all is well :Luv:
Enjoy the week-end, Bungly, whatever it brings. x
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Thanks Shelia.
I am not sure I could buy this ab as its Baytril and you have to be so careful with this.
I have the next door lad ( bribed with a bottle of whiskey ) laying and concreting my slabs ready to get the greenhouse put up .maybe he will help with that too :sneaky:
My brothers friend who I have known since being about 5 is supposed to be helping , but he hurt his back and he is going away Thursday for 2 weeks . I am sure I can con, I mean get someone to help ! :sneaky:
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Hope that Fifi does well with the abs........why is it always a week end :hug: :hug:
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Had to go back to the vets tonight , she had some sores come up in the injection spot !
He gave her another injection as she is still no better and a steroid one for the sores . Gave me another 10 injections for her :shocked: :Crazy:
This is bordering on ridiculous now !
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Oh Gill, this is such a nightmare. Sending some :hug: :hug: for patience and perhaps a lottery win. :shocked:
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Thanks Sheila, can't even afford a lottery ticket right now .
Just can't understand why she gets it and now so often. It's been like this from 6 months after getting her and it's worse now 4 years later!
On the other hand i did a home check for a rescue tonight for a kitten and they were really lovely people . Uncannily they had a white cat that had been the guys childhood pet until he died a few weeks ago aged 20 and he was just like my white cat I had called Oscar.
When I get time to sort out my scanner will post photos of him and my other bridge babies from years ago.
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Is it worth getting another opinion?
Sending loads of good vibes for Fifi :hug: :hug:
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Don't really think so Gill .mr Owen has been a vet all his life and he is over 60 now .
It's obviously cystitis as she is in and out the litter tray and only doing small little bits .
About 2 years ago she was given a anaesethtic , bladder emptied , urine checked , loads of tests and they never found anything , I think she even had a scan :Crazy:
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So what is causing it? Stress? and if so what is causing the stress.
Personally I like younger vets cos they are more up to date and have new ideas although some and am thinking of one inparticularily that was useless!
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I don't have anything constructive to add as (thankfully :shy: ) I don't have any experience of repeated cystitis but just wanted to send some :hug: your way as I do know how stressful and worrying it is to have a repeatedly poorly cat :hug:
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I have seen the younger vet there too , saw him Friday .
I cannot see where she can be stressed though , she has loads of places to sleep , get out the way if needed , none of the others bother her. She does what she wants , when she wants , sleeps on my bed when she feels like it . She started with it around 6-12 moths after having her .
I have no idea why she would be stressed and she doesn't look it and no idea why she is getting it so often .
It's just baffling . She is around 14 now .
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Stress can be something you dont see and very small, it can also be you being stressed and she is picking that up :hug: :hug:
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I agree with Gill that cats pick up on human stress She could be realisiong that you are worried I am not sure what you can do about that as cats are so sensitive to how we are feeling Ofcourse that is why we love them so much but in this case you could almost wish that they didn't
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I wonder if there is an underlying condition causing her discomfort that hasn't been picked up, and its this causing her to stress resulting in the UTI. :shify:
If it's not, and she is stressing herself out, I wonder if some back to basics therapy might help her mental state. A little Rescue Remedy in her water, a Zylkene in her food now and again, perhaps a massage to take the edge off whatever might be bothering her.
I discovered Animed are doing Zylkene by the tablet as opposed to VetUK who only do them in boxes. Might be worth starting over with her and see if she improves. Such a worry :hug:
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Fifi is much better, but she developed a few sores in the injection spot , so we had to go back .
She had a steroid injection and the usual Baytril , but near the side of her. He gave me another 8 to give her and still a few days to go.
She doesn't hardly eat any wet food, so that makes it a bit difficult to put tablets or powder in.
As regards massage , she only tolerates a bit of fuss from you then she will lash out , she is a bit scatty though and has been since I had her .
She is a awkward one to help !
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If she likes cat milk the Zylkene can be popped in there - I also use the catmilk trick with liquid Panacur for my awkward nasty feral Blue and he never notices :evillaugh:
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Thanks Liz , she has a few laps of ordinary milk , so will get some cat milk for her.
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Sorry to hear both you and Fifi have had to cope with cystitis again. I know how frustrating it can be, especially when you can't be sure what's causing it. I've changed Lottie's diet to 100% wet, add water and keep her constantly on cystease and she is obviously still prone to it. She has her own quiet places, where we try to leave her to relax as well.
She did get it again fairly recently and someone pointed out to me that although she had the original diagnosis of cystitis, they can still get other problems occur in that area causing similar problems. As you say it certainly does seem like cystitis, but if she does get it again so soon, it might be worth getting her re-tested so you can rule out crystals, infection etc, although I appreciate you've spent a lot of money on her.
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Fifi had her last injection ( that's 14 days total ) on Thursday and it's started up again today . Can't take much more of this now . Spoke to the person on duty today and said she would speak to the vet , but no call today , my usual vet isn't on this weekend either .
She said that now if she has any more injections it might start destroying good bacteria , and maybe there might be a decision to make if it carries on !!
Last time , she had her bladder flushed out and loads of tests , but never found anything , looks like she will have to have it all rechecked .
At my wits end as did not expect it to be back as soon as she stopped having injections!
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Destruction of the good bacteria can be solved and thats by using Lacto B or protexin in food, protexin capsules are better cos just half a capsule a day so not much powder.
I think Fifi is picking up your stress and you need to explain to your vet that you are having loads of health probs and that may help him to treat Fifi from a different angle rather put her thro loads or repeat tests.
Sending lots of calming vibes to Fifi :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Only trouble is she won't eat any wet food , she has had a bit these last few days for some reason ,but it goes straight through her , so then it's both ends with problems .
I tried to syringe it down her once before and she just got stressed and threw it all back up .
It's hard to know how to treat a cat like this . Tablets are impossible too , unless I want to lose my fingers as well .
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This is rotten news, Gill. I agree she needs to be re-tested as its a while since her last lot and it could be something else/new that's causing all this. :scared:
Sorry if this is a daft question, but isn't there a vet a bit closer to you who could give you a second opinion?
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Assuming you trust your vet, it might be worth having a honest talk about what they would recommend is done next, re-test so you are confident other things are ruled out or if anything shows up the right treatment can be given, give more anti-biotics as you have to treat the present problem or any other treatment. If there aren't any other solutions re: present treatment then I'm a strong believer in that you treat the problem in front of you, ie you let her have more anti-biotics this time in the hope they work and get her right again rather than not have them and her bladder is going to feel even worse. I know you must be at your wits end trying to work out what's best
I'm sure you've tried it, but would it be worth trying her an another wet food in the hope she can digest it better when she will have some.
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Amber has cystitis on and off since she moved in 1999. The very first thing I did was remove the dry food, put her on wet food and stir a little warm water in it as I never saw her drink. The vet suggested I collect rainwater for her to drink but living in a flat thats not easy. Now she has wet food and I leave biscuits down all the time. The only wet food she will eat is Felix senior so not the best but better than nothing. I put cystease on her food once a day and have a feliway plugged in. If Im upset about something or if theres a lot of noise or visitors I up her cystease to 2.
I hope you can find a solution that helps you both. To be honest I found that when she was doing the 8 weekly attacks I got to the point where around 7 weeks I started watching her and folling her to the tray to check so I think I set her off :-[
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Well, no idea what to do or think now.
Spoke to vet and he said nothing else he can do !
There is another injection beginning with C -cant remember what its called , but he tried thaat once before and it didnt work . Otherwise Cystease or cystaid which if you give it by syringe she just throws it back up , no guarantee she will drink milk or cat milk , she might she might not !
Wet food just goes straight through the other end -so no solutions at all now !
The lady on saturday said i may have to think about PTS !!!
In spare room on computer and she just tried to wee on the bed !
Vet just rang back and said if she cant/wont take the cystease -or if she did and it doesnt work -only option is pts
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oh Gill what a horrible situation, do you think her quality of life is suffering?
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You know , i dont know anymore ! My head is just all over and feel lousy myself .
All i know is its not nice seeing her in and out the tray every 10 mins and just little dribs coming out , she sleeps for a bit and then off she goes again .
I did notice a bit more crying from her lately though , not when in litter tray , but coming up to me and meowing!?
There doesnt seem to be any reason for it and looking back on her threads , she has now had it every single month this year . She has had it on and off the whole time i have had her and it just grown worse and worse till its just constant now .
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will your vet not show you how to put in water under her scruff via injection?
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Thats what she has had Angie, 14 days of doing them ,only finished on Thursday night and she started again on Friday !
She also had 7 days worth a couple of weeks before that which i also did.
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Time for a second opinion I think..................and have you told them about the stress?
This sounds just too drastic and maybe they need to get specialist advice from somewhere like Bristol cos I cant believe this is all that can be done.
Sending lots of good wishes vibes :hug: :hug:
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That sounds like an extreme reaction to me. Then again maybe Im being niave.
Did you say you cant tablet Fifi? and she wont eat wet? Will she eat treats? Long shot I know but my friends cat who was shall we say difficult she got those webbox sticks and actually rolled them out thin, put the powder in and got tablets in that way.
I know with Amber she got given metacam (?) which made her sick so has to have injections now but in general we can cope with cystease, feliway, me trying to keep calm and not upset her (not easy as Im not well at the moment so she had brekkie at 11am this morning)
I do feel for you both as I know that when I get upset, Amber gets ill and I feel guilty and to be honest kind of annoyed with it all.
Is she an only cat I cant remember?
Amber moved in after Mogs but when Mogs died there was no way she would let another cat in. In fact when Mogs was ill Amber didnt want her to come back in from the vets. Shes very much an only cat, and only person cat and a no visitors allowed cat. Its hard but its what suits her so I have to go along with it.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: to you both
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Spoke to the vet again and she has had every med possible .
I am only stressed because of Fifi keep getting this .
I think there must be an underlying problem.
She has eaten a bit of wet food but it goes straight through her , so then we have both ends.
She will not eat any kind of cat treat at all. She has had metacam by syringe as well .
Fifi has had this since I got her and its got steadily worse and longer to get rid of .
Looking back at this thread , she has had it now every month this year, so this just can't be good . It's taking longer for melds to kick in too , this time they didn't start working till almost 8 days and the minute they stopped , she is just back to the beginning again.
I have tried cyst ease in a syringe watered and she usually throws it back up.
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I'd mix cystease with butter and a smidgeon of marmite, and put the blob directly into her mouth - she won't be able to spit anything so gooey out again, and will probably like the taste
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I use kitstick = tesco version as they are more pliable and I use them fro a multitude of wormers, cystease pills, and anything that needs a tablet in general also have used pill pockets as some like them to
Have you tried Hills or RC foods for sensitive tums comes in biscuits to so that might help :hug:
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She is on RC sensible for sensitive tummys.
To be honest it's a nightmare trying to hold her , let alone open her mouth at the same time , she won't hesitate to stick teeth and claws as hard as she can into you .
Pandora seems to have hayfever too as she keeps sneezing , she is due for her booster in the next two weeks so will ask about that too.
Not sure who is sneezing the most right now , Pandy or me !
Feel like I am in a continual nightmare .
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In all fairness I'm sure you've thought about the wet food issue and cystease over the years (not that they both cure cystitis totally but reduce the amount of doubts).
Going back to the question of re-testing, is this an option for you? If you have her re-tested you know what you're dealing with - anything else medical can be treated/advised on and if it turns out to be cystitis then you can make any decisions based on that. When Lottie had a bad case of cystitis about 18 months ago, another vet in the practice did say that even six months after testing things can change due to the other conditions and if it continued, she'd advise getting Lottie re-tested then to rule out certain things.
I know the couple of times Lottie has had cystitis on and off for a month how stressful it can be for me and I know she gets stressed out by vets visits which never helps the problem. You've done a lot for Fifi and cared for her well, and I can well understand your probably out at end of your tether. I hope you can make the right decision for her soon over future treatment.
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I assume she has had a scan Gill?
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I`m so sorry to hear about Fifi, this condition can be very frustrating to deal with.
I do have to agree with Gill on this one. I think it would be an idea to either get a second opinion or ask your vets to contact a specialist for advice which should be free of charge. I work in a referral practice and we often give out advice to vets when needed.
I`m not sure whether you are still giving Fifi Metacam but you have to be very careful now that your vet has given her a steroid injection. It also depends on the type of steroid injection given. It might be worth asking whether it was a long acting one? You must not use steroids at the same time as Metacam as it can cause a lot of gastrointestinal problems.
So far in all of the studies that have been conducted into feline lower urinary tract disease, steroids and antibiotics have not been shown to be of any real benefit unless a bacterial cause is identified. I know when i took my own cat to the vets for this a while back they did not want to dispense antibiotics until they had a urine sample to send for analysis. Has your vet sent away a urine sample this time? The only problem is that Fifi has now been on antibiotics and so the results may not be reliable as she would need to be off them for around a week ideally.
As far as i am aware the two most useful treatments are modifying the diet to increase water intake and medications such as Cystaid/Cystease. If Fifi gets an upset stomach could she have something like RC sensitivity control pouches?
There are other reasons why cats can get cystitis so it might be worth getting your vets to do a blood test to rule out any problems with Fifi`s major organs. It might be good to rule out things like chronic renal problems or diabetes.
Cystease can be given in the capsule too so maybe you could use a pill giver to pill her with it? This is very important as it may help to repair the lining of the bladder. If you cannot do this then a similar drug called Cartrophen can be given by injection. Maybe your vets would let you do this at home? I believe that you can start an initial higher loading dose and then reduce to a maintenance dose but your vet should have this information.
The other option which can be used in very bad cases is Amitriptyline which is an antidepressant. Drugs like this do have to be used carefully but they can help with the inflammation in the bladder.
Is there anyway that Fifi could maybe stay with someone else for a while to see if her condition improves? Hopefully there are some other things to try before having to think about pts.
Hope some of this helps!
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I have just found an information sheet on the FAB website that you might find useful:
http://www.fabcats.org/owners/flutd/info.html
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Fifi hasn't had a steroid injection this time ,they were Baytril injections .
She did have an injection last time beginning with c and a long lasting antibiotic, neither worked.
She has had a scan , but will have to ring and find out when it was , also she had blood tests and her bladder flushed out . It came back a few months later and they found nothing then , they did a urine test too .
Will ring later and ask more questions . Have mixed some cyst ease up with water and started syringing it in her yesterday .
Hope I havent completely lost my voice by the time I ring up .
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The antibiotics are unlikely to be doing anything unless a urine sample shows there is actually a bacterial cause. If the injection she had last time beginning with c was cartrophen then I am pretty sure this is a course of injections and not a one off single injection.
The cystease and a wet diet are probably the most important things at the moment. Did they check the ph of her urine this time?
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He hasn't done a urine test this time .
I am going to ring in a bit after surgery and have another word with him
She can't eat wet food , she won't eat Hills and anything wet goes straight through her including ordinary chicken.
Been giving her the cystease in water by syringe.
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You may have already phoned, but as I said in my last post one of my vets (three in the practice) said that things can change over the course of six months, ie other conditions occur, so might be worth asking about things changing. I know it's hard for you to think straight at the moment, but when you've had chance to digest, let us know what was said.
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spoke to receptionist who has told him all my concerns and thoughts.
She is now booked in to stay overnight on Monday for urine samples and a scan on Tuesday to see if there s anything to see.
In the meantime will continue to syringe in the cystease every day.
Thanks everyone
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This is really positive, so pleased you have got this booked in Gill. Good luck :hug:
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poor Fifi hoping all goes well next week :hug: :hug:
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That sounds like a good idea and hope it goes well :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Fingers crossed for next week. Instead of using a syringe, you could always try mixing the cystease with a teaspoon of water and adding this to her dry cat food - from what I can gather cystease has no taste, but adding a little water to it for dry cat food should make it more palatable. I'm sure you're aware, but cystease will need to be given every day as a maintenance dose, so the easier you can make it on yourself the better!
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How's Fifi's cystitis while you await the scan and urine analysis? Is she allowed any anti-inflammatories/antibiotics in the meantime, or are you have to perservere with the cystease?
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Well, since giving the cystease (water mixed in a syringe) she has been fine now for about 4 days !
So I am keeping going with cystease and will ask the vet if she still needs to go in Tuesday .
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There is a God :shify: ;D :rofl:
Keeping warm vibes coming your way for continued improvement and a bit of peace for you at last.
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Thankyou Sheila , she is definitely an odd one
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I di hope this is the solution :hug: :hug:
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What a relief that the cystease seems to be helping and to have a break from the cystitis. Let us know if Fifi is to be tested tomorrow, or whether you put it off for now and see what happens.
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I'm wondering if cats can have cranberry as that definitely works for cystitis in humans.....
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Louise, you can get something called D-mannose which I think has cranberry extract in it and is suitable for cats. I haven't tried it myself as my cat gets idiopathic cystitis (ie unexplained) but if tests had shown she was getting urinary tract infections rather than cystitis, then I'd have given it a go.
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What great news! The cystease will help to repair the bladder lining so it`s really good that you are managing to get it into her. Fingers crossed this continues.
If the cystitis is stress related then it may be a good idea to hold off if all is well as a stay in the vets might just be more stressful for her.
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Well, it's started again today !
She has been on 4 cystease tablets now every single day for 2 weeks , still on them and not a day missed .
At my wits end with this now .
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Not good,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,has she been treated for stress cos am sure that must be the reason :hug: :hug: :hug:
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No, what treatment would that be? Amitryptline ?
I have no idea why she would be stressed though and she has had this now since I got her , it started 6 months after her coming here and now it's just getting closer together , longer to get rid of and it's been ongoing for almost 4 years now and getting worse !
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I dont know and wouldnt think that but wonder if you have discussed this with your vet.
Use of plug in felway and maybe zyklene although that would be hard as she doesnt eat wet food.
Your vet is the one to ask and if Fifi finds your home stressful it may have taken that time before her body started to realize and even if you dont feel stressed your posts say you are and if she is sensitive she will get the stress from you. There is also referral to a behaviourist by your vet.
Now I am only speculating but Misa had stress related cystitus, and cant rememeber the trigger now, think it was something to do with Napoleon and was lucky cos on the way to vets he went in the cage and was showing blood. I think he was unhappy cos he thought he wasnt getting enough attention after Napoleon got ill the first time.
Luckily he was easy to treat but it can be something very small to us but hugely important to the cat.
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Maybe she is stressed with me keep syringing the cystease in her ? If so , we are never going to get anywhere with it .
I could do the same with Zyklene , but that's doing even more she hates .
She doesn't like being groomed , having tablets , syringing anything in her . All she wants is to be left alone and she will come or a fuss when she wants to , otherwise she would rather you do nothing to her , but obviously I have to groom her!
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You must be at the end of your tether with it. Having a cat myself who gets cystitis which is a ... to get rid of when it occurs, I think if I got to this stage with her I would definitely get her tested now so you know exactly where you stand.
Hate to ask this, but has the vet said she can be on four a day. The dose on the bottles says two a day and when I've been desperate Lottie has had three a day - admitted this to the vet's nurse and I got told off!!
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What about getting the vet to run an allergie test see if the dried food is causing the problems, I have had a couple of my ferals done that way and once we discovered that one is allergic to fish flavoured biscuits and one to food in gravey we work round them, also some of the flower remedies maybe easier some Rescue remedy in the water is a good idea and there are other helpful hints on the Bachs website might also be a thought to see a holistic vet and rekei is good to
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Left Fifi at the vet tonight to have her urine tested ,also left a page with all what's been going on and what she has been given cystease wise.
Usual vet is off this week , so if nothing found , can't do anything till he is back on Monday ,then it will be a scan and whatever else we can think of including what you have put Liz, thanks for that , not thought about that one !
She has been worse today as well, squatting in litter tray and garden every two mins
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You've tried everything you can, so I think you're doing the right thing getting her tested. Have you any idea how long it will take to get the test results? When can you collect her? It always seems like a long wait.
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Well, nothing wrong with Fifis urine, no blood, stones or crystals !
Been given a injection that's similar to cystease tablets only in injection form . This is a good one too if anyone has heard of this..... A spray to give her ! So ,I says where do I spray this , nose , mouth ? No, on her feet :Crazy:
So, I have to spray Fifis feet twice a day on her pads , it may be a behavioural problem , though I have tried Zyklene (sp) ?
She may have a small bladder , also told . If no difference may have to have a scan , but don't think it will show anything .
She is no different tonight since bringing her back either, still squatting in garden and litter trays , just as bad as ever.
Think this is never going to end or get sorted out !
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Zyklene wont solve a behavoria; problem only a behaviourist.
Such a bloomin mystery and sorry no reasons coming from all the tests.
Did she do this while at the vets?
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Yes, Gill she did as he said I can see the squatting problem as he has been monitoring her since last night.
Think he might have thought it could be stress related somehow.
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When you say they carried out urine tests did they actually send any to an outside lab for culturing? The tests that they have done so far are usually the ones that can be carried out on their premises.
If this goes on with no further progress then i wonder if it is worth trying Amitriptyline as a last resort as it really might help.
Maybe she is just not drinking as much as she needs to to flush her bladder through and the dry food is just adding to it. I understand why you have to give her this. Is there definately no wet food she can have that doesn`t upset her tummy? Failing that is there any other way that you can increase her water intake such as chicken broth, cat milk or an indoor water fountain?
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I'd deffo try and see if there was some wet food she could eat without getting upset tummy, do you think Liquivite would agree with her? its nutritionally complete, just in liquid form, it doesnt have any cereals or anything that might aggravate her tum. If I give it to mine I always add a bit of extra (warm) water to it. :hug: Whats the spray called?
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I have 3 bowls of filtered water in the house plus a drinking fountain and she does drink well.
Not tried Liquivite , but she is really stroppy and if you try and get her to eat something she doesn't want ,then she wi
L just go for you .
If I tried this Liquivite and she won't have it , all I could do then would be give it in a syringe which she also hates .
Have tried Feix , whiskers , Sheba, hills, James wellbeloved, cranberry treats, several other wet foods can't remember right now , fresh chicken ( all these went right through her ) tuna, cod loin none of which she will eat at all .
Mr Owen is back on Monday , so will have to discuss further with him
Spray is called Kalm Aid
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Just a thought...........it sounds like she will eat wet food but then her tummy rejects it?
Could it be that you need to let her eat it in moderation and mix with it half a capsule of protexin?
Other option is Hills GI wet food with the same half capsule in it.
Do this very very slowly with small amounts to try to educate her tummy. Keep on dfeeding her biscuits but maybe not quite as many.
Maybe worth talking to vets about this.
I have never had a cat that liked liquivite lol
I am sure that syringing stuff into her
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RC sachets for older cats over 12 are worth a try drop me a pm and I can send a couple in the post for Miss Fifi to try goes down a storm with out Floddy who has no teeth
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The urine test hasn't given you anything to work with but at least certain things have been ruled out. Might be worth asking the vet if cystitis is the sort of thing that can increase with age - afterall you think about the damage they do over the years straining to go. When she's okay, how do you know roughly how many times a day she wees? When she's got cystitis, does she pass pink urine or clots of blood? If Lottie gets cystitis she's trying every couple of minutes which quickly turns to pink urine and then clots of blood in an hour. I know call cats are different, but if Fifi doesn't pass get to the stage of passing clots of blood (which given she's had it so much recently I would expect her to be really tender inside) this could it be some sort of scenting thing? Do your other cats get on reasonably well?
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If I tried this Liquivite and she won't have it , all I could do then would be give it in a syringe which she also hates .
Spray is called Kalm Aid
No, was just thinking might be worth a try to see if a - if she likes it enough to drink it by herself, and b - if it doesnt go straight through her - but if you did try it, I'd just put a teeny spoonful down first off and increase amounts slowly - always supposing she likes it in the first place!
Ah, Kalm Aid, didnt know it came in spray form :)
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there seems to be a condition called 'persistent idiopathic cystitis', which sounds as if it is what Fifi has
the only articles google throws up are scholarly ones, which are full of scientific stuff, but it does seem that a general analgesic gets the best results, as it gives the cat a respite from the discomfort, and reduces inflammation
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Just a thought, you generally mention Fifi is given anti-biotics which I once read that for some reason even if there isn't an infection generally cystitis will clear up better if a cat has them, but does Fifi also have an ANTI-INFLAMMATORY injection - this really does seem to help Lottie's cystitis within 36 hours, sometimes cystitis re-appears 3/4 days later and another anti-inflammatory is given.
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Just the day before I left to come here , Fifi weed on my bed and then did it again just as I was getting in it !
Therefore , she had to go to the cattery till I come back on Monday night and I can pick her up Tuesday .
Admit tingly it was still only tiny bits , but I really can't have her doing that!
She had antii inflammatory injection and something in injection form like cystease , but nothing is working for her .
Will have to see what to do when I get back, but it's nice having a short break .
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The cattery might have some ideas for you when you get back, Gill. Also the anti-inflammatories may take a day or so to show an effect, you might have a nice surprise when you get home. :crossed:
I'm thinking the cattery folk will see more of her behaviour than the vet so they might be able to shed some light on what's going on in her mind.
She's clearly not happy or comfortable, and seems to be demonstrating this by pee-ing in front of you, sounds like its a kind of cry for help. I hope the meds work this time.
Meanwhile enjoy the rest of your break and try not to worry. :hug:
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Well, Fifi is no different to when I left except now she is running off and preferring to stay outside all the time .
She isn't staying in the tray as long ,but there is so little when she gets out ,you can barely see it .
Just think she isn't happy here as its been going on since I have had her.
I think she would be happier as a only cat .
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Oh Bungly this is such a dilemma. I feel for you. :(
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Thanks Shelia, at my wits end really as don't think there is a medical problem ,all her urine tests were fine.
Stupid woman who hit my car refused to pay from mirror , now got to go to police station tomorrow to show documents even though it was her fault . Had insurance and insurance solicitors ringing me ( mine ) and been on the phone all day for hours .
Only just sat down, had no time to eat only a bowl of cereal .
Think I should go back to my sisters :rofl: would do if it wasn't so far !
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How's Fifi now shes had time to settle back in?
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Went back to the vets yesterday again as she has been no better , not squatting as long ,but only little dribbles.
She is now on steroid injection, penicillin, Baytril and I have 6 more to do and then see how she is .
If still no better , then she will have the scan.
Thanks for asking .
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Fingers crossed the treatment will do the trick this time. Let us know what happens.