Archive through February 28, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: 2003 February: CATS (ARCHIVE): Archive through February 28, 2003

Pamy

Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 11:39 am EditMoveDeleteIP
OOOhhhh I want another baby!!!!!! funny how I have never wanted another child but I constantly want more kitties!!!

Ophiliasgrandma

Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 09:26 am EditMoveDeleteIP
CATS RULE...dogs drool!

Karuuna

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 12:28 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Stryder update: Thanks to all of you who posted in my folder. I haven't wanted to post about Stryder because things aren't going terribly well.

He's been on a special low ph producing diet to dissolve the crystals in his bladder. At first he seemed to do very well. About three weeks into the diet, I ran out, and couldn't get more for 3 days. During that time I fed him the urinary tract maintenance diet.

By the end of the three days, he was peeing blood again. Went away for about a week (after going back on the low ph diet). But yesterday I noticed some of the signs that it's getting bad again, lots of time in the litter box and licking himself (sorry).

He can't stay on the low ph diet forever, since that will cause a different kind of crystal. The vet is not optimistic, saying only that we can "try all the different foods available", and there are several medications he can go on, but some of them have severe side effects.

The vet also said that some cats just continue to periodically have this problem all their lives.

I don't know what to do. I *hate* keeping him locked up in a room with a litter box. But if he's out, I find myself following him around to make sure he doesn't pee blood on the white carpets. I just don't know what to do. Are there vets that specialize in this? Should I go see a different vet?

Moondance

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 12:33 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
YES I think you need another opinion but it does sound like he might need the surgery MsKitty and my cat had... it reconsructs the urinary tract to make it wider so he passes the crystals easier.

You might like this vet but he/she isn't giving you more choices... JMO I found a vet in my area that specialized in this... I think if you researched your area you could find one... PLEASE e-mail Kar, I would love to help you if you need it.

Karuuna

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 12:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks, Moon. I asked my vet about the surgery options, and she knew nothing about it. I think she doesn't really have experience with this, (she's relatively new to this practice), and she's learning as she goes. That doesn't inspire much confidence. How did you find a vet that specialized in this?? Did you have to call individual vets?

Moondance

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 12:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
My Vet was alittle more informed and I actually had options and picked the one I wanted... we need to research your area. I want help. Let me look into something and I will get back here... then you can look in your area.

Moondance

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 12:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
What are the Treatment Options?? For cats with cystitis, you and your veterinarian will be working together to ensure your cat has plenty of fluids, which may require the vet injecting fluid under the skin, or even by intravenous methods, if it is deemed necessary. Antibiotics will often be given to prevent infection. A few of the diets that do contain the acidifiers we mentioned above are: Science Diet's CD, Purina CNM, Wysong's Uretic Diet. Getting your cat to drink more water is essential in FUS recovery. You will need to monitor your cat's intake of food and water, and output of urine very carefully, so be sure to only use a small amount of litter. You'll also want to check the color and consistency of the urine. You should isolate your FUS kitty from any other cats in the household to ensure you can monitor, inspect, and encourage him/her during the recovery time.

What Happens if My Cat Has Repeated FUS Blockage?? Male cats, in particular, are repeat blockage candidates. Sometimes, there may be an accumulation of scar tissue along the urethral wall, which causes a permanent narrowing of the canal. These cats may be candidates for a surgery called "Perineal Urethrostomy", which enlarges the urethral opening by shortening the male penis and urethra to create a wider urine canal. Surgery should always be a last resort, and once cats have had this surgery, they are more prone to urinary tract infections because of the shorter distance from the anus to the new urethral opening; however, since total blockage is a life-and-death situation, be sure to discuss this treatment with your veterinarian if your male cat has continued serious problems with FUS.


Here is a link that maybe will point you in the right direction... I am not sure where you live or I could be more help....

http://www.healthypet.com/HP_Findahospital.htm

Make sure you use 'Perineal Urethrostomy'... this is what the surgery is called.

Moondance

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:01 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Some good links

http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/1242/links.htm

Moondance

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Edited
I posted the wrong one here... I'll be back :)

Moondance

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
http://www.bestfriends.org/members/memhome.htm

They have a pretty helpful message board and lots of crazy cat people (like myself) that might be able to help you out with a Vet finder:)

Best Friends is a rescue group I have worked with for years:)

Karuuna

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:54 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
cystitis? Is that something different from crystals? Stryder seems to drink plenty, he uses the litter box as much as my other kitty.

No hospital listed in my town, some about an hour or so away.

I'll read the other links later when I have more time. I think I may call CSU (Colorado State Univ), they have a vet school, and sometimes offer more extensive and expert treatment.

Karuuna

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
thanks too for all the links and support Moon. I can't tell you how frustrated I am with my current vet.

Ddr1135

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 03:24 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Karuuna, I'm glad to see you mentioned the vet school, I was going to suggest that. I had to bring my dog to ours when I had him tested for hearing.

Myjohnhenry

Friday, February 14, 2003 - 01:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
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Webkitty

Friday, February 14, 2003 - 03:40 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Kar, I hope you can find a good Vet Hospital for Stryder that has to expertise for the operation, because it sounds like that is what he needs at this point.

That link that Moon gave for findahospital looks like a good one. I noticed they listed Alameda East on there. This is the one that is featured on Emergency Vets on the Animal Planet channel.
I've watched this show a lot, and they seem to know what they are doing.
Maybe if you called them, they could recommed the best place to take Stryder. Or even take him there, but I don't know how far you live from Denver. (and I imagine its probably snowy and icey there now?)
Good luck, I will be routing for a good outcome for you and Stryder!

Fanny

Friday, February 14, 2003 - 03:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Karuuna, if you're going to come down to Denver I would recommend Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. They have tons of specialists (I took my cat to a feline cardiologist who did an ultrasound of her heart) and you need a referral to see one of the doctors. Your vet should be able to get you a referral. Alameda East is good (I've also taken cats there) but Wheat Ridge is bigger, has more docs and more sophisticated equipment, and that's where I'd go for a complicated problem. I had an Xray done at AE (and the AE staff didn't read them; they sent the Xray on my my vet) but the ultrasound & specialist were at WRAH.

My vet is The Cat Doctor in Aurora. 303.696.7901. Obviously a cats-only facility. You might want to call to see what they know about your condition.

Jmm

Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 09:09 am EditMoveDeleteIP
A friend sent me this and I thought you might get a kick out of it.

cat

Twinkie

Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 11:47 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
cat

Twinkie

Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 02:42 am EditMoveDeleteIP
JMM, that pic cracks me up!!!!!! And that's how I feel like so many times!!!!

Karuuna

Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 08:54 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Stryder update: After another full week of bleeding, I requested to speak to a more senior vet in the same office. She read Stryder's file, and called me back right away. She said that she had a great deal of experience with male cats with "interstitial cystitis"; and from the ultrasound, that was clearly his problem - a bladder wall that is 4-5 times as large as it should be. She gave me a prescription for a different drug, and said she never had a male cat with this problem that hadn't responded to this treatment. Some of them can go on the drug for 6 months and then are done with it. Some of it have to go on it for life, or on and off for life, but she felt quite confident that it would help him. What I did like was that it was clear as she spoke that she really did have a lot of experience with these kinds of problems, so I found that somewhat hopeful.

So, new drugs, and we're off again!

Scootersmom

Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 09:29 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Oh Kar..I'm crossing my fingers that this does the trick for poor Stryder. Good luck to you and ((Stryder))

Squaredsc

Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 03:34 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
kar, hope this helps stryder, from what you said this doctor seems very confident and that helps. (((Stryder)))

Moondance

Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 10:33 am EditMoveDeleteIP
GREAT news Kar! Good for you for standing up and asking for a Senior Vet!

(((Stryder)))

Cute pix above:)

Hippyt

Friday, February 28, 2003 - 12:48 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Here's Max tired,and sleeping in the toddler's crib. She sleeps in there everyday. The toddler wants a big girl bed,what will poor Max do?
Max

Weinermr

Friday, February 28, 2003 - 03:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Kar,

What's the Stryder news?