Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Starpixie on October 13, 2009, 18:55:43 PM
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My poor boy has had to stay at the vets twice in the last month because he keeps getting problems.
The first time he was just about able to pee but it was full of blood. On Sunday night he couldn't pee at all.
He's on painkillers, cystease, something to stop spasming and antibiotics.
His urine tests showed crystals. They sedated him and scanned him to see if there were any problems with his insides etc but that was all clear (and £500, I'm so glad I have insurance!!)
The poor little guy gets so worked up when it happens.
I don't feed them dry food, just a variety of meat and fish (not processed tinned food although the odd can of tinned tuna)
I add water to all their food
I put glasses of water all over the house - they will both only drink from glasses :innocent:
He's happy and content, a very relaxed cat who gets on well with my other cat
I have 3 litter trays (for two cats)
I've ordered a water fountain to encourage him to drink more
Does anyone else have an experience of dealing with these kinds of problems in boy cats?
It's really worrying me as it can be really dangerous for them, I'm constantly monitoring him in the litter tray to make sure he's going ok (he must think I'm nuts)
If anyone else have any advice and tips that might help I would be very greatful, thank you :)
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Sorry I only have experience with one of my females having stress-related cystitis but apparently it is far more dangerous for boys due to having a much narrowing urinary tract.
I have heard good things about d-mannose which stops certain bacteria adhering to the urinary tract. It is a type of sugar (an isomer of glucose)
Apparently less than 1% of cystitis cases is cats is bacterial but yours sounds like one of them.
btw - I am a mature student and only last week, during cell biology, I asked my lecturer about it and although she wasn't familiar with it as a treatment, she thought it would work with certain bacteria. (stops it sticking and so it is flushed out)
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1045310
http://abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/127240/
One of the places you can order from http://www.waterfall-d-mannose.com/dmannoseforum.htm#
(click on the pic of Chessie the cat for dosage etc)
Apparently, it is the sugar found in Cranberry juice but without the acid.
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Ooh thank you, I will have a look into that.
The vet took a sample directly from his bladder whist he was under anesthetic yesterday and they are testing it for bacteria but it takes a few days.
He has a check up on Thursday so we should find out more then.
Thanks again :)
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:luck: with his check up on Thursday! :hug:
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How long has he been on Cystaid? if he's only just started on it I think it takes a while to have an effect. What sort of fish and meat does he have? There is some thought that fish can contribute to urinary tract probs.
My Ben had a blockage some years ago now, luckily just the one occurence and he's had no probs since. He's eaten a raw meat diet plus some of the higher meat content wet pouches etc since. Think his was partially stress related, although I didnt reallise it at the time - it was only looking back, leading up to a house move and the move itself. Stress is different things to different cats, so while your boy may not appear stressed, there may be something thats upset him recently - can even be just something like a new cat in the neighbourhood. Have you got Feliway diffusers plugged in? A couple of those might be worth a try too.
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I am sorry to hear of his problems and there is someone on Purrs although not here very often, who has a cat who had the problem so badly that he had to have a op to change his sex, because he was so badly ill it was the only way to save him.
I am sure he is in great pain but the fact there are no crystals means that he isnt actually blocked.
I do hope that he will improve quickly and he can relax and be happy again :hug: :hug:
If after speaking to your vet and if he doesnt improve, if you pm me I will try and find the onfo for you but am sure the other cat was blocking up with crystals.
Sadly it was on a site which has erased all the old posts but seeem to think that somewhere there is some info still
Lots of luck for the next vet trip and hope that this can be resolved :hug: :hug:
My boy Misa had a minor problem after getting very upset cos one of my other cats was getting all the attention cos he was very ill, and Misa couldnt use the tray. Got him to the vets very quickly and on the way he used the carrier but on lifting the blankies there was blood and thankfully a jab sorted him out and I try to make sure he has as much attention as his little enemy :shify:
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I am sorry to hear of his problems and there is someone on Purrs although not here very often, who has a cat who had the problem so badly that he had to have a op to change his sex, because he was so badly ill it was the only way to save him.
OMG!! That is both shocking and amazing! :wow: :hug:
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thank you for the replies
He's been on the tablets for two weeks now so it might need more time to kick in.
The fish is normally plain white fish although my dad sometimes brings them mackerel from his fishing trips. I alternate it with chicken and rabbit.
At the end of August my other cat was hit by a car and on cage rest for a month, then house arrest so things have been a bit different around here than normal. He's not really seem phased by it though, as you can see :D
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/3934764393_dfa8b17d6a.jpg)
I've been wracking my brains and there are some things that have changed that might bother him. I'm usually home most of the time as I am ill with fibromyalgia but I started back at university a few weeks ago so they are left on their own more. He is a total mummy's boy so maybe that has upset him.
Also, Tescos seem to have changed their litter which both of them seem to be annoyed by but I can't find any other brands that are the same as the old tescos one (the wood based litter)
I plugged the feliway in when he got ill again so maybe that will help.
I am sure he is in great pain but the fact there are no crystals means that he isnt actually blocked.
There were lots of crystals in his urine on Saturday. It is the other tests that he had that were clear. The vet says he may have to go on a prescription diet for it.
Thank you all for your helpful replies, nice to be able to pick your brains!
Arty is currently curled up on my lap getting cuddles. He seems ok but he's definately not 100%
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:Luv2: Love them :)
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My Smartie got it a couple of times and he was put on Hills s/d i think it was for a good few years - i have got him into eating more wet food now and he isn''t on the Hills now -so touch wood he stays okay - but its a lot worse for the boys .
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I love the picture of him in the box :Luv2:
Sorry must have misread about the crystals :-[
Some cats are very sensitive and I have two.......sigh both boys and think they get affected so much more than my girl.
So it is most likely the litter I suspect but also you being out more wont help..........my Franta hates me going out at all!
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My boy was blocked last year with crystals. He stayed in the vets for 3 days with a catheter in, they flushed out his bladder. He came home and was put on s/d food for a little over a month. During that time he was struggling so went back to the vets to have a jab of long acting antibiotics. About a month later he went back to have his urine tested for crystals. Then he went on c/d dry and wet food for a good few months, I slowly started reintroducing his Felix wet food. It will be a year next month and so far *touch wood* he has been 100% healthy. He now eats a mix of normal food and prescription food. Have to say I've never used cystaid.
Really hope your little one is ok.
I never did figure out what caused it with mine. He is so laid back he's horizontal and very not stressed.
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Hi, do hope that things improve for you soon - I know that this problem is worse for males. Arty is gorgeous and certainly doesn't look stressed but I guess we don't always know what is upsetting their little worlds. One of my girls, Bubbles, has problems with struvite crystals. She was on a prescription diet (Royal Canin) for around nine months in total and was clear of crystals after about three. This week, about four months after coming off the diet, the problem seems to have returned (awaiting test results to definitely confirm). She is fine in herself - previous experience means we have picked up on the signs very early on this time and it does seem to be something to watch out for once is has been diagnosed once.
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Thanks for all your replies.
Looks like a prescription diet could be what he needs
He just did a wee and it was very bloody :( I think maybe he needs to go back to the vets tomorrow rather than Thursday. I might give them a call in the morning and see what they think.
I'm so worried about him :(
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I would definately ring the vet first thing tomorrow and see what he suggests .
Hope he gets better soon, poor boy.
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It could be the amount of fish in his diet - it has an alkalising effect on the urine which in turn allows crystal formation. Quite often though, diet isnt the sole cause, but its a combination of things, with stress being high on the list.
I didnt go the prescription diet route, for a start Ben wouldnt eat it, and after much research decided to start him on a raw diet and he's had no further problems.
Yes, it does sound like he needs to be seen sooner, let us know how he gets on. :hug:
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Definately vet call and do hope they can help him soon :hug:
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We've been there too with my lil man Jess, he did block twice last year (in the space of a week)
The good thing is though is if your boy is passing blood and urine then his not blocking.
Jess was on a urinary wet food diet for 8 months before going back onto Felix - which we add water too. Jess isn't a drinker and never has been. He has urinary biscuits still though.
Jess is on 2 cysteases a day - cheaper version of cystaid but with the same amount of glucosamine in, which is what helps them pass the urine. And a Zylkene for stress.
Jess never had any crystals it was all down to stress, we've changed the litter we use and initally gave him different trays to try and we saw a behavourist.
Its only been recently that I've relaxed about checking the trays. I know now Jess well enough to read his signs when his not happy about going to tray (i've been known to go with him and dig about for him)
Its a stressful time all round :hug: :hug:
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I don't have any advice to offer as no experience I'm afraid, just wanted to say good luck with his treatments :hug:
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Nor I but sending my best wishes x
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Thank you every one
Updating from my lecture!
I took him in this morning. The vet gave him some very strong painkillers (so strong that she had to warn me to keep them away from children and drug addicts!)
Hopefully that should make him feel better whilst the other drugs sort him out.
Poor boy is so fed up!
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Fingers crossed he gets some relief while the other meds are doing there stuff! :ahh:
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I agree with limiting fish. For two weeks before my boy got ill he was eating a lot of fishy foods, including fish JWB dry. Normally he would have had a good mixture. Now I really limit his fish intake to maybe once a week, if that.
Edit: Sorry, was just thinking then re-read the thread. I see he's been given things to reduce pain, inflammation etc but not anything to dissolve the crystals. That is what Hills s/d food does. It also does amaze me the differences between vets in the way they treat cats with crystals/blocked bladders etc. For instance my boy was in the vets for 3 days and didn't come home with any medication. Whereas yours stayed in the vets (not sure how long for) but did come home with medication.
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My male cat got this problem a while ago and was put on prescription diet. The vet seemed to indicate that he should stay on this for life though to be on the safe side. He eats both a wet and dry food urinary diet and although it costs a lot it's worth it rather than risking him getting problems again. He still gets some normal food treats every now and again though.
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Thanks everyone :)
I will try reducing his fish intake to once a week and just feed him chicken and rabbit etc.
He's back at the vets on Friday for a check up.
My cats come first so if he has to be on an expensive diet then so be it. I want the best for him. I hate seeing him suffer. :'(
I'm still at university, hopefully he has been ok and having a nice comfortable sleep with the help of the medication. Can't wait to get home and check on him!
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When I got home from uni he ran to the door to see me and seemed really cheery. The injection this morning must have really helped!
We just had a great time playing with the da bird, he's been jumping all over the place. Now he's dragging it around in the hope that I'll play more!
:D
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I think it's safe to say he's feeling a bit better
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2656/4011296053_099af8d4fa.jpg)
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Aw, bless him, great picture :Luv: glad he's feeling better.
To be honest if you feed a balanced high meat/no carb/high moisture diet it will keep the urine pH at the correct level (slightly acidic) which prevents struvite crystals forming, so there should be no need for prescription diets. :)
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That's good, lovely pic too :Luv2:
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Good news he's feeling much better, and lovely photo :Luv2: :Luv:
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Great picture but dont forget to watch his tray usage :hug:
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Have they told you what type of crystals he has?
Not to do with his bladder but do you cook their rabbit and chicken?
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Thanks everyone. Him and Pixie have been in kitten mode this evening which is great to see :)
Have they told you what type of crystals he has?
Not to do with his bladder but do you cook their rabbit and chicken?
Struvite crystals(? I think!)
They both have a lot of raw but also some cooked stuff as I like to give them treats such as little bits of chicken and it's easier to keep that for a day or so in the fridge if it's cooked.
They both had problems with tinned food. Pixie gets really bloated if she eats it and Arty was a stinky little farter! Before Arty got ill the first time I was feeding them a high meat content (80%) dry food that was wheat and dairy free in the mornings but I've stopped that so they get just wet.
He did a wee earlier and it was a little bit bloody but much much better than last night.
I really hope he is on the mend. My poor kitties have been through enough!
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Do they get bone in with it? I dont think iv ever read of a raw fed cat with crystals!
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They get some bone, mostly because they like catching birds and mice quite often and they like to munch them whole (ew!). They get organs and stuff too. Arty is currently chewing on a whole chicken liver :sick:
Their diet is why I'm wondering if there are other causes because I go to so much effort to make sure they get the best and most natural that I can give them.
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Do they get bone in with it? I dont think iv ever read of a raw fed cat with crystals!
No, nor me! in fact its usually a cure. :)
Their diet is why I'm wondering if there are other causes because I go to so much effort to make sure they get the best and most natural that I can give them.
I think you are right to cut out the fish for now though, just in case it was that. Do they get any other bone, apart from what they catch and eat?
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Maybe it was the handful of biscuits they were getting, even though they were rediculously expensive ones with minimal non-meat ingredients :/
They were getting bone in their fish but not the chicken and rabbit. Should I look for stuff with bone in? It's so difficult finding raw stuff round here. I get ground chicken and rabbit and then add liver/other organs and stuff that I get from the butchers (Free :D) I suppose I could cut up a whole chicken.
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Have you tried these meats? http://www.food4-cats.co.uk/ the minced varieties include muscle meat, bone and organs, and they do bone-in chunks too, such as wild rabbit. Whole is ideal I guess - not all mine can eat whole bones though due to lack of teeth! The catinfo site is good for raw feeding info and recipe for homemade http://catinfo.org/
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Ooh thanks for that link, I'd not seen that site before.
That's going to make my life so much easier!! It's a nightmare getting stuff here.
I've just put in an order. Should fill my freezer up and keep the kitties going for a while :D
Thank you!!
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Gillian to the rescue ;D
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He's doing well today, eating, drinking and peeing fine.
He's laid across my lap upside down, kneading the air with his paws :Luv2:
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So pleased and long may that continue ;D
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ahh, glad he is a lot better
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Glad he is seeming a lot better, my vet didn't use prescription diets, just no dry food at all, more water, and less stress.
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Glad he is seeming a lot better, my vet didn't use prescription diets, just no dry food at all, more water, and less stress.
This is a fantastic combination
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Glad he's feeling much better :hug:
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He still seems fine in himself but the urine sample I just got from him doesn't look good. It's very dark and a bit reddish :(
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:hug: :hug: :hug:
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They tested his urine, the blood was off the charts :( but there didn't seem to be many crystals so that's a bit better
He's been prescribed Zylkene. Hopefully that will help.
Poor boy weed in the carrier on the way home and I had to wash him off. He didn't like it much!
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There's some really good reports about Zylkene with relation to stress so hopefully once kicked in they should do the trick! :hug: :hug:
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Do hope the Zylkene will help him :hug:
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He seems to be doing better and he definately doesn't seem stressed!
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4021205559_e3e3df6a29.jpg)
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:Luv2: :Luv2:
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Definitely very relaxed looking! :Luv2: :hug:
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Hi wees are looking light and clear and no blood, he doesn't seem to be having any more trouble in the tray YEY!!
;D ;D ;D ;D
Now it's just a case of managing his condition. I'm hoping the Zylkene and his super healthy diet should be enough.
I'm still on the hunt for the old style litter. I bought a bag of Bob Martin litter as the picture on the bag showed what looked like the old stuff but inside was the same as the new Tescos stuff. I'm guessing it's all made in the same place. If anyone knows anywhere that sells the wood pellet litter that is small and light not the new big dark stuff I would love to know!!
Thanks for all the advice everyone
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;D great news!
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I would try an ultra fine clumping clay for him, its like sand in texture (what cats originally would have used being desert animals) and is reccomended by behaviourists for helping with toilet issues...
Good news his meds are now kicking in ;D
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Ooh I'll try that thanks.
He has been digging in the garden a lot so maybe that's a sign he wants a more natural dirt like litter.
It's so nice to have my boy healthy and happy again ;D
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R & L Pet Products do good cat litter and if you buy so much its free delivery .
I use Precious Cat litter at £15 a big bag - if you buy 2 its free delivery ( i have 5 cats and it lasts me a fair while ) also they have cat attract which is also very good but a bit more expensive -but guaranteed that your cat will use it .
Both of these are quite fine and clump really well with no smell.
Also another good cat litter is AK litter -thats very fine -i have the phone number somewhere if you want it - just let me know .
I can reccommend all these as have used them all.
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Ooh thank you!
I might try a small bag of fine clumping litter from the local pet shop first to make sure they like it but ordering in bulk from that site looks like a good idea! (And saves me lugging it home on my own which is pretty difficult with Fibromyalgia!)
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So glad his wee is looking more normal bless! :Luv2: :hug:
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Glad to here things are improving.
We use catsan clumping, my boys both love it. It clumps really well.
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Well they both really like clumping litter and he seems happy and well :D I have to take a sample to be tested on Friday to make sure he's ok but things are definately looking up!
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Fantastic news! :hug:
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That's great :)
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Cats Best OkoPlus is wood-based and not pelleted, sort of like large crumbs .... It's £7 for a 10kg bag but that apparently lasts ages (I say apparently as I've only had Noah ten days!). Good clumps and no smells.
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Well they both really like clumping litter and he seems happy and well :D I have to take a sample to be tested on Friday to make sure he's ok but things are definately looking up!
Glad they like the litter ;D a tip is the deeper you keep it the better ;)
Zooplus sell large bags of ultra fine and also R&L pet products so you can save a little bit
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Thanks for all the tips!
My order from food4cats arrived earlier and they are happily munching away on it :D I'm really impressed with it so far!
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Arty had been doing so well and today he was hiding under the sofa when I got home. He used the tray and it was all blood :( :'(
Back to the vets (thankfully they are open late on Fridays)
They don't think it's a crystals problem, just bad cystitis. He's been beaten up by a bully cat twice this week (once needing Anti-biotics for an infected bite in his tail).
I was going to fence the garden when I got the money refunded by the insurance for his last lot of treatment but I'm going to borrow some this weekend and get it sorted so that he can't get out and into any more fights.
Poor little guy
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Poor Arty and definately the stress :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Poor little fella :hug:
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Awww, sending some healing headrubs to Arty :hug:
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He's currently sprawled out upsidedown across me and the sofa purring away as I tickle his tummy :Luv2: so he's not feeling too bad now, probably all the drugs, I could do with some myself with all this worry!
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Sorry, I missed this topic.
I had one who was on a diet (hill's S/D) for 6 years. He was blocked twice and nearly died both times. It appeared his penis was too small. I too knew someone who had a cat whose penis was amputated for this problem, it cost them an awful lot of money.
As a result of the pain, my cat didn't use the litterpan and peed in my hall. I cleaned twice a day so the neighbours must have thought I was obsessed :evillaugh: In the end I could not take it any longer and took him to be PTS. He was 7 and the vet said I was doing the very best as he was really ill, but I cried my eyes out. I felt so bad. It didn't help that people said I was an angel for coping all those years.
So good luck for Arty and you :hug:
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The end cure for this is sex change and its not done often but we hava Purrs cat who has had this op and it was successful ;D
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Best of luck with the cat proofing, hopefully this will be an end to his getting picked on and related stress! :Luv2: :hug: :hug:
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Thanks everyone. I'm hoping it is just because of the stress of the bully cat. Up until a month ago, he had never had any problems at all so hopefully once we get this sorted he will be ok.
He's happily eating prescription food and has definately got his apetite back! He seems much happier too and isnt' in and out of the tray quite so often but it's still very bloody when he does go.
Got half the materials we need to sort the fence out today but B&Q was pretty useless so we'll have to go further afield to get the rest of the stuff tomorrow.
The vet said to keep him in so he feels safe till he's totally better anyway.
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As your now getting the cat proofing together, you may as well keep him in till its set up...... ;)
Im sure you will see your old boy back in a few weeks time with not a worry in the world! :hug: :hug:
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Hope the cat proofing goes well and we will need pictures ;D
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The catproofing is still in progress as we've not got all the stuff we need but it's getting there.
I think the prescription food was a bad idea :sick: giving a cat who is used to being fed on a raw diet processed food = diarrhea :sick:
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food should only be changed gradually and thats a massive change.
lacto b will help sort this ;D
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I'm also thinking that 4 lots of antibiotics in 6 weeks can't be helping his tummy. Definately going to look into the lactob stuff!
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Charlie has had two blockages and is now on a drug called Hypovase which prevents it.
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Hope Arty feels better soon! :Luv2: :hug: :hug:
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I think the prescription food was a bad idea :sick: giving a cat who is used to being fed on a raw diet processed food = diarrhea :sick:
Best diet for this sort of prob is a balanced raw unprocessed diet (but leave out the fish! ;) ) I think its a backward step to feed the prescription food.
Charlie has had two blockages and is now on a drug called Hypovase which prevents it.
Hypovase is a muscle relaxant isnt it? used for heart problems?
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It's a human drug used to reduce blood pressure. I discussed the implications of this with the vet who prescribed it because I was worried about potential effects on Charlie. He said because cats are lower to the ground than humans it has no effect on their blood pressure. Charlie does not have a heart problem and the drug stops the bladder muscle spasms which lead to blockages. Touch wood Charlie has had no problems since he has been on this.
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He said because cats are lower to the ground than humans it has no effect on their blood pressure.
Thats interesting, never thought of that. :) Glad he's doing ok on it :hug:
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ARty was given hypovase for a week after each incident, defeinately helped him
He's doing great at the moment. I am managing to sneak lots of extra water into his foods which means I have to clean out the litter trays more often as they pee a lot but seeing as they both have had cystitis now I don't want to risk it coming back!