Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Dee on November 20, 2006, 01:10:41 AM
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One of my cats, Dave, had to be rushed to the tonight. I have been away for weekend and they were looked after. I called him for tea and he didn't come and when i picked him up he bit me (totally out of character) and cried. He then went and drank quite a bit of water and tried to go to toilet, but nothing came out. I called vet who said to take him in. His bladder is very full. they are going to do blood tests to determine his potassiun levels and if these aren't too low express his bladder. I am so worried about him.
Dave has no tail at all. It was removed (before i had him) as a result of a RTA when he was a kitten. His bladder was massaged frequently by a vet nurse as he had difficulties passing urine. I have had him since May and have had no problems with him until now.
I wondered if cats who have had this once are more likely to have it again and if there is anything I can do which may help prevent further occurances.
I know the vets will look after him, but i am still so worried and want him home. thee vets are going to call me tomorrow.
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Aww, poor Dave. Hopefully this is just a one off and not related to anything, but he will prob need a special diet for a while after this, depending on the cause. If they dont give them to you, you might want to ask about Cystaid, they are capsules that help the lining of the bladder. Good luck.
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Thank you Des. If the vets haven't called by the time I have dropped my children off at school i will call them.
I am hoping he is feeling better this morning. I just want him home.
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Please try not to worry too much this is quite a common occurrence and can usually be controlled.
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I have now spoken to the vets. Dave was catherised last night and put on medication for pain, inflamation and to reduce the chance of spasms. he has eaten and drank and passed a tiny amount of urine today. There is a possibilty he will need to be catherised later under GA, but te vet wants to avoid this as it can cause more inflamation and increase the chances of spasms. For now they are montoring him. he definely won't be home today. i am still very worried about him, but know he is in the right place. i am going to call again later.
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Again all I can say is p[lease try not to worry too much although I understand easier said than done.
There is so much that can be done for this condition.
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Thank you Ela.
I just look forward to having my gorgeous boy home.
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I know one of Roz's boys had wee wee trouble, when she is on later she will be able to help put you mind at rest.
How is your little man today?
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Thank you gail.
he has eaten and drank and passed a little urine. he is being monitored at the moment. Hopefully i will hear of improvements later today. I miss having him around so much.
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Hi Dee,
Only just logged on today but am sorry to hear about your little guy Dave.? It sounds like he has other complications in that area as well following the RTA but I'm surprised that the vets have removed the catheter so quickly.? He can't have been so very bad....and I know what they mean about the spasms, because that is what always happened to Jet, following the removal of the catheter.
As you know Dee, this is one of the most painful conditions that can afflict a male cat.? It only happens in males.? Queens can suffer from cystitis related FLUTD but they are never in danger of death through a blocked bladder.? My vet told me that the pain is excrutiating and a blocked bladder can, if unattended, lead to death within 24 hours.? Therefore, if Dave is a free-roaming little chap, keep him in for a while, until his condition has stabilised.
You will need to give him a wet diet from now on...keep those kidneys and bladder flushed through regularly. Try to keep him active....sedatory cats suffer from this condition more than active ones and, if you live in a hard water area, try to give him only mineral water.? I have been told that there is a higher incidence of FLUTD in hard water areas than other areas.
There's loads more that I could write on this condition but I'll wait until I see your next post to see how dear little Dave is going on.
My little guy, Jet was so poorly with the condition that he would have had to be pts if he didn't have a penilectomy (often called the 'sex-change' op).? He had this in January this year and has never looked back.? This time last year, everyone was reading my posts which were becoming more and more anguished.? Jet was in the hospital every other week.? After a few days at home his sphincter muscle would go into spasm again and he would be unable to urinate.?
The operation is very invasive and should be avoided at all costs if possible, but if there is no other option left, it is the most brilliant solution......but is not without risk.? Jet has been supremely lucky...but then again, Nigel his vet, took him under his wing and really pulled out the stops for him.? I am so grateful.
Hope that helps.
Lots of love to you both and a special headrub from Jet for little Dave
Roz
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Maybe we need try to get the link to Rozs Jet on here from CC cos that story is an education on this problem and would be very helpful to all with cats that have serious trouble like this.
I will try and find it although someone said that you cant do a search anymore.
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Search on CC is gone and archives only go back to Jul but I will ask Roz if she has the link.
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Hi again Dee,
Just re-read my post and of course I meant sedentary cats (inactive) not sedatary or whatever I typed. Doh.? Should read through before posting. :doh:
Gill: I don't have the link but all of my anxiety with Jet was going on in December/January time.? I have, of course, written up about the condition loads of times since but I can do so again.? It's no hassle.? Just pleased to be able to help.
Lots of love
Roz
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Thank you Roz and thank you Gill.
We have your catproofing Roz, so he only goes in the garden, which he loves. We are in a hardwater area. We are in Norfolk.
Thank you so much for the info. it is really appreciated. Dave is such a wonderful sweet natured boy. i will try and post a pic of him later.
I have to call again at 4, so will update then
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Hi Dee,
I suspected you were the same Dee but didn't like to assume.? Since we changed over, it is not always clear although everything is becoming clearer by the day.?
That's fine then....he has the same conditions as Jet.? I couldn't have coped with Jet being a free-roaming cat and suffering with this illness.? ?
I hope Dave comes home soon and that he will not have any further problems.? Jet was a very difficult case.? He was a little stray who fetched up at our place when he was seven months old (we later found this out, after tracing his owner) but has lots of behavioural issues...bless him.? He is extremely nervous and anxious....so stress related FLUTD, you could say, was inevitable in later years.? He was four when he first developed it. We love him to bits but he will never be a relaxed, laid back little guy.? He was also known as the most unco-operative cat in the hospital.? But, because he was in so often (almost a resident) all the nurses eventually got to love him and Nigel, his vet, (for some inexplicable reason) really loved him!? He insists on being the only vet to look after him...even now!? I can only guess what sort of life Jet lived as a young kitten.
Lots of love
Roz?
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Jet is very lucky to have found you as i am sure you feel about finding him. He sound a lovely little boy. Such a shame he didn't have a good start to his life and had all his medical problems. So glad he found you.
I am eager to call the vets about Dave, but know how busy they are. I know he will be well looked after there, but it is not like them being at home is it.
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Hope all is well with Dave, its is very worrying isnt it? I went through it with my Ben about 3 yrs ago, and he had to be rushed in as an emergency (3 a.m!!) - vet was brilliant at being dragged out of bed - luckily she only lives above the surgery!
Ben has been fine since, never blocked again, I changed his diet, got water fountains, feliway etc and no further problems, thank goodness.
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The vets hs just called me. Dave is now going into surgery to have a catheter fitted. his bladder is filling up again and not draining properly. it will be in for approx 48 hours. they thought as the catheter went in so easily before it wasn't as serious as it is. his bloods show high high kidney levels too. they think this is caused by crystals.
I am so worried about my little boy. I love him so dearly.
I am talking to the vet again later and will let you kow how it goes.
thank you Gillian for telling me about ben. It really helps.
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Perhaps the vet will get some Chrystal's and save them for you. To me the smaller ones lile like tapioca.
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Hi Dee Hope all goes well for Dave poor Little man I know what you are going thru we had our Smudge in the vets with this Last summer All the best, love and furry headrubs to Dave?
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This isDave? (grey and white) cuddled up to one of my other cats Anakin (ginger)
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a211/rosie1271/DaveandAnakin.jpg)
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Oh Dee,
I'm so sorry he's not coming home later today....but hopefully, the little love will start to feel a whole lot better soon.? I have only ever known the catheter to be removed once the urine is running clear....but it would make sense to remove it early if worried about spasm.
If your vet gives Dave Cystaid, ask about Cystease as well.? Dr White recommends this one ...Nigel took Jet to see him at his Newmarket surgery a few days after his op....at no expense to myself....and he told me that the great Doctor prefers this one (Dr White is a world renowned veterinary Urologist and taught Nigel at Cambridge)....Jet also had Dibenylene to relax his sphincter muscle and Metacam (for pain/inflammation).? He didn't have any bacterial infection at the time of his op because he had spent so many weeks in the hospital being medicated that he was in pretty good shape....apart from the FLUTD.? He did go through other medications as well but I think the Cystease works very well.
Fingers crossed for sweet little Dave.? He looks so lovely.....as does Anakin.
Lots of love to you both
Roz
P.S. If he's going to be in for a few days, try to visit him....it really cheers them up...even if they don't show it.
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he is now catherised. This time the catheter didn't go in easily. There was quite a lot of bits in the urine. He is heavily sedated and on a drip now. He is eating. n they are doing some more tests on his urine and looking at it under a microscope. I am foing to see him tomorrow and will speak to the vet again later tonight.
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Should have said. thank you Roz. your hwlp and support has been wonderful. I will let you know what vet says later.
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My Ben had to stay in overnight too - I hated going home and leaving him, but I knew he was in the best place. The next day my vet was a bit concerned he still wasnt urinating properly, but she wanted me to bring him home because she felt he would do much better in familiar surroundings - and although he was disorientated for a bit, he went and used the litter tray properly a few hours after he was home - what a relief that was! I was following the poor chap around (discreetly!) just to make sure he DID use the tray ok!
Hope Dave can come home soon.
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It is such a worry isn't it. I just want him home bless him. What do you feed Ben on? I think i will look into getting water fountains. Some of mine love drining from the bathroom tap.
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So sorry that Dave has had to stay over night but I hope he will be home soon. As someone else said, visit him every day if possible and take a shirt that you have been wearing cos smelling your scent helps to reassure them.
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Dee,? I feed mainly raw now, but when Ben had his blockage, he had the prescription diet for a while, then I changed all the cats, Ben included, onto wet food, just ordinary stuff like Felix/Whiskers. But then looked into raw feeding and been feeding that ever since, as I say, with no further problems. Sometimes I give them Natures Menu too. They only get a few biscuits now as a bedtime treat, and they have Olli.
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Aww, sorry that he isn't home yet Dee, but fingers crossed for him. I know how awful it is when they are at the vets.
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Oh Dee, i really feel for you. At the vets where i work we have had so many blocked cats in recently and i am pleased to say that all of them have done very well. As you may have read on the CC rehoming section one of them ended up being signed over to the surgery as the owner wanted him pts. The vet said that he was the worst one she`d ever seen. It took such a long time to catheterise him which wasn`t a good sign at first and like your cat when they took it out a couple of days later it had to be put back in as he was not emptying his bladder. As Roz said earlier there is so much that can be said about this condition as it is so complex. It sounds as though your vets are doing all the right things. It might be a good idea for them to send a urine sample away for urinalysis so that they can see whats in it and try to find out why he might have got blocked. Also, they often use a drug called Amtriptyline (spellng!) which can also help to reduce some of the inflammation. Fingers crossed that his kidney values come down now that he is on a drip. If he is eating well then it might be a good idea to see if they can start feeding him a urinary diet whilst he is in the vets to start getting him used to it. There are various ones around but a lot of them seem to like Waltham urinary which comes in dry and sachets. The other thing which can help if they do go into spasm is a short course of steroids but this cannot be used at the same time as some of the other drugs that they use for pain management. I wish him the best of luck and hope he`s home with you very soon.
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Thank you everyone.
Dave is doing very well today. His bloods are back to normal. his potassium is a bit low, so they are putting it in his drip. he is eating very very well and is happy in himself. they are a bit worried when they take the catheter out, but we will have to see what happens then.
I am going to see him later. i can't wait.
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Excellent news Dee.? I hope everything goes smoothly for him from now on.? If the vet is pleased with him, I'm sure he will be home again soon. Fingers crossed for the dear little chap.?
Take along a favourite toy.? Jet for some reason (he is a weird cat) loves an old sock.? I can't recall how many incomplete pairs of socks Steve now has..... :innocent:
Lots of love to you both
Roz
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Better news, please try not to worry to much as there are still things that can be done if there is a reacurrance.
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mad4moggies did you mean Amtriptyline ??
if so then this is an antidepressant which "some" vets may think it helps reduce anxiety which can be a contributing factor in fus conditions..to the best of my knowledge it has no antiinflammatory properties.
if thats not what you meant i apologise.
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mad.............your are amanda Right? You can change viewing name in profile.
Just interested , why do you or your vets think there are suddenlt so many cases?
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Thanks Gill, I`ve changed the name now! Well no one really knows for definate what causes urinary tract disease in some cases but as you probably already know it is most common in overweight neutered males fed on dry food and also if they are kept indoors. We see more and more fat cats and all the ones we have had in recently that have been blocked have been very overweight. Two of them were cats that had been blocked in the past.
Lynn, i was talking about Amitriptyline which i have seen work for some cats. Thats right, it is an anti depressant. I think i was getting my drugs mixed up! And, like Roz mentioned, Dibenyline is another drug that can be used when cats are retaining urine due to neurological pathway problems.
I`m pleased to hear Dave is doing well, you must be really looking forward to seeing him! ?:)
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I am going to see dave at 6:30pm.
He is going to have to have another GA and another catheter fitted first. I am not sure why as I was unable to talk to anyone looking after him, but the vet is going to try and call me.
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Probably he was naughty like my Smudge and chewed or pulled the catheter out Hope he's ok XX :hug: :luck:
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Coud be. i can't wait to see him, but it is going to be hard leaving him behind when we go. :'(
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whenever I visited Smudge I just wanted to scoop him up in my arms he loved his cuddles but he was connected to a drip and a catheter with one of those horrid elizabethan collars we took the collar off and gave him a good rub
Hope dave's ok tonight and it's not too heartbreaking to see him love Jackie
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The nurse told me wrong. they were actually taking out the catheter as his urine was running clear. he has weed a little on his own, but not enough yet.
he was so happy to see us and was putting his head in our hands and rolling over for tummy tickles and trying to jump to us. It was so sad closong the cage and leaving.
I have told him to have a good wee and he can come home.
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At least you now know he is comfortable.
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Such good news Dee.? He sounds an adorable little boy.
Sending all positive thoughts his way for several long wees so that he can come home straight away.
My poor little Jet usually managed only the one once the catheter was removed but thereafter always cramped up.? He first became ill in April 05, following a bout of cystitis which had cleared up but then flared up again. I took him straight away to the vet who thought it best to admit him because his bladder was beginning to block.? He didn't come home for a fortnight!!!? I was beginning to despair of him ever coming home again.? The vets weren't really pleased with him when they discharged him but decided that he would probably fare better at home than in the hospital and he did remain okay until last October and then the problem really escalated.....as everyone on this site knows!?
Loads of good wishes to Dave for a very speedy recovery. :Luv:
Lots of love
Roz
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Fingers crossed for him
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How's our little love today, Dee?
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he is doing good today. His catheter had kinked before and as it had looked clear before hand they decided to see what happened and he weed a little, but sadly not enough and his bladder filled again. he now has a catheter in. It is still has blood in it, but it is clearer than yesterday. he is happy and purring and eating well. They are not doing anything today just monitoring.I am trying to get hold of the vet, but we keep missing each other.
I am going to see Dave again at 4. He was woozy yesterday when i went to see him, but staggered to see me and fell asleep with his head in my hand.
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Ahh poor little babe. We are all thinking of him and Jet's just seen his piccie and given Dave a stroke with his little black paw (with my help of course). :Luv:
Hope he's feeling better this afternoon...bless him.
Lots of love
Roz
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Bless that gorgeous Jet. I will tell dave that jet is willing him to get better ;D.
I will let you know how he is when i see him later.
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Sending best wishes for Dave - my little Ben says he knows just how Dave feels!!
Gillian
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Dee, how was Dave today? Any news on when he will be home with you again? Thinking of you and Dave xxx
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I have been to see Dave today, but he was fast asleep as he had just had an anaesetic.
I spoke to the vet and sadly the news isn't too good. the wall of Dave's bladder is thickened and it is not contracting. The bladder is now clear. he pulled out his catheter and the vets are going to see how he is over the next 24 hours and hopefully he will wee. he is on lots of medication to assist this.
I just want him home. I have everything crossed for my gorgeous boy.
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So sorry the news wasnt better Dee, am thinking of you both and hope things look better tomorrow. xxx
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Aww, I am sorry the news isn't good yet, will keep my fingers crossed for him.
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Oh Dee,
Let's hope that he starts to feel better tomorrow. He's had a lot of intrustion going on there over the last few days....so many catheters...poor little boy.
I'm sure he probably knew you were there.
Lots of love to you both
Roz
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My typing today is dreadful...that was supposed to read...he's had a lot of intrusion going on there etc etc Doh! :doh:
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Sounds very much like our fosterer's cat, earlier this year he had a pendectomy and he has been wonderful ,a couple of weeks ago he had a recurrence of cystitis, the vet had to go into the bladder to scrap the stones out as they were fixed into the thickened lining. A sample of the thickened lining has been sent to Glasgow for further investigation. I will ask Sue tonight if she has received the results. I do know that a few days ago Hank seemed fine and was running around.
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Thank you Ela. i would be intrested to know.
Well Dave had a good wee on his own in the night and has weed again this morning. He is brighter than ever and they are doing really well. The head vet is going to see him later and there is a possibility he can come home tomorrow. This probably isn't the end of it, but looking good today.
I have everything so firmly crossed as i so want him home.
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Ohhhhhhh Dee that would be so nice, for him to come home... I am crossing EVERYTHING :doh:
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Been to see Dave. he was very bright. He could have come home today, but sadly he vomited earlier and isn't as keen on food since, so they want to keep an eye on him to be on the safe side. They said it could be because of his medication or the Ga's. Fingers crossed he will be ok to come home tomorrow.
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I have spoken to our fosterer whose cats has struvite which has caused thickening of the bladder She has explained the position to me but In all honesty I think you really do need to discuss the implications with your vet. Obviously it is only your vet who knows exactly how much the struvite has effected your little ones bladder. Also what it can lead to although it could be years before something if anything more shows.
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Sending positive thoughts and lots of love to Dave - get well soon little one xxx
Fingers crossed that he is home with you soon, know what you are going through because our Charlie had the same problem - he is absolutely fine now but I still always feel relieved when he does a big wee.
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Hi Dee,
Sending all good wishes to Dave today in the hope that he is discharged. Just remember, add extra fluids to his meals to keep that bladder flushed. Also, I know how hard the water is in Norfolk (or East Anglia generally) so I would definitely think about getting him a fountain and using just mineral water. That's what I do for Jet. It can't do any harm.
Lots of love to him
Roz
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He is home. I have to keep a very close eye on him as he isn't out of the woods yet, but it is so great to have hime here.
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We have softish water here, no limescale in the kettles etc but I alway fill the cat and dog water bowls from my water filter tap. which reminds me I must send for another cartridge.
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That is a positive note then, I am sure he will be spoiled rotten this weekend.
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Awww Dee, I'm so pleased........I bet he's glad to be back home to his mum :hug:
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I am so pleased that Dave is back home with you again Dee. Wishing him well xxx
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so pleased to hear Dave is back home with you. He must be so happy to be back home. He sure is a gorgeous looking cat . I think since reading this I am going to look into getting a water filter as I live in a very hard water area. Give him a big sloppy smackeroony from me :hug:
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Hi Dee...and Dave :)
Great to hear that you're back home together......Now Dave, you gotta do some nice long wees for ya mum, just like the good vet said.
No turning ya nose up at ya new food...that's what Jet did...and look what happened to him....he lost his...well, you know :shy: (he's sitting next to me and it's still a sore point....well hopefully not literally...but you get me drift. :innocent:
Loads of good wishes for a speedy return to ya old self.
Lots of love
Roz
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dave is doing well. he is still weeing, although not huge amounts. he has been playing with Anakin and his toys and is always looking for food. I called vet as he hasn't pooed, but vet said as long as he is eating and happy, it shouldn't be too much to worry about. He is going to vets tomorrow morning.
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Thats good news Dee! Glad to hear he's home and doing better.
Gillian
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So pleasewd that Dave is home and doing well ;D
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hows the boy this morning ? hope he has a good wee for breakfast :)
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AM pleased he is home, and fingers crossed he continue to do well, poor boy.
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Dave is doing great. he has been back in vets today as he hadn't pooed, but vet decide to leave him a couple of days. Dave then then decided to leave me a smellie present in the cat carrier on the way home. :rofl:
He is weeing well, not quite aswell as before this, but enough to stop his bladder getting dangerously full. The bladder wall linning has decreased in thickness which is great news and it is now less tender, which is also good news.
Behaviour is back to normal.
I am so glad to have my wonderful boy home.
Thank you everyone for all your kind words and very helpful information. it is all very appreciated.
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So pleased Dee ;D
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I am so glad he is home and doing well, fingers crossed this is the end of it now.
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Excellent news Dee. I'm really pleased for the little love. Hope he continues to get better and better with each day. Is he on the prescription diet? If he is, is he eating it?
Lots of love to him, :Luv:
Roz
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dave is doing really weel. been back to the vets this morning and his bladder was normal size and with very little urine in t hey are really pleased with him.
He doesn't have to go back for 2 weeks now (unless worried) and then if all is wel twill look at reducing his medication.
He is not on prescription diet, but has to have only wet food now for e rest of his life, as you said Roz. The vet said to add water to it and meat broth. he also said about getting a water fountain, which others on here also mentioned.
I am so pleased with his progress, but know he is going to have to be carefully monitored from now.
Thank you as ever for everyones help and good wishes. it has been so appreciated.
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I am so glad to hear this, fingers crossed this is the last of it.
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Thats really great news, hugs to Dave from me and hope he has a wonderful Christmas ;D