Please help my cat!

[Authordiva]

Marley is two years old. We brought him to the vet last Wednesday night because he showed signs of urinary blockage. He was not blocked, but the vet found strutive crystals in his urine.

She prescribed Hills CD-S canned food. He would not eat it at all. She then tried him on Hills SD canned food. He only eats a small amount and walks away.

I am beside myself with worry. Is there anything I can do to make this food more palatable for him? Hs anyone had experiences with this problem and these foods before?

Please help. Marley, his daddy, and I really need it.


Thanks,
AuthorDiva:(

[Nomilynn]

When our cats got urine crystals, our vet told us (although I'm sure science diet would be angry) that if you take the ingredients on the side of the bag, go to a regular pet store and find other foods with the same ingredients (making sure, in particular, to find low ash content) they would be fine. Right now my mom feeds them Purina's brand for urine problems and they are all doing great. I don't know how many vets actually come out and tell people this because Science Diet is sold in vet's offices (up here anyway). I would try something else if it were me - maybe he just doesn't like the taste.

Good luck

[sweet_stormy]

Smokey had a blockage. We thought that Snowball (dog) broke his hind leg (smokey). It was very uncomfortable watching him looking helpless.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

3 of my male cats had urinary tract infection off and on over the years. I had them on Special Care Dry food and they had no problems. I have them on the hairball treatment right now with still no return of the infection. It's a dry food though. I do give them a spoonful of canned twice a day too. None of mine would touch Science Diet and tried to bury it. Good luck!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Welcome to Pet Talk Authordiva. :) I can't help you out at all, but I believe Fister's Mum, Randi, should be able to help you out some here. If your Vet can't suggest anything else besides Science Diet, maybe go to Petco or Petsmart or any pet store and ask them. If you get, say, the manager of the store or somebody who is a little more knowledgeable, they might be able to suggest something, then you can check with your vet to make sure it's ok for poor little Marley. Also, maybe you could do a search on the internet to get some more ideas.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Please keep us up to date on how Marley is doing, and remember, pictures, pictures, pictures! :)

[Randi]

I'll be back after dinner to give you some advise. Our cat had the same problem a few times. Until then, search for Fister and you'll find the threads on the problem!

Will be back in half an hour! Don't panic! :)

hey I would say , the best person in this matter to give you excellent advise , is Randi !!! Her cat Fister has the same problem !!
Like she says : do not panic !!

http://community.webshots.com/user/sydneybilliepets

[Authordiva]

Thanks so much, guys. Randi, I will wait for your advice from Fister's experience!

[Randi]

First, welcome to PT!

I'm glad you've already been to a vet! It doesn't sound as if it has become really bad yet, but it can, and in that case you have to act quickly, because if he's blocked it can become fatal within one or two days. As I said, Fister has had the same problem, but he's back to normal now! :)

The first time, Fister had a cahteter put up and was flushed through, he then had some antibiotica and was only allowed to have Hills Prescription diet S/D food, luckily he liked the dry version but would not touch the canned food. We can only buy this at the vet. There's also one called Specific FSD which works the same way. It is supposed to dissolve the stones, but he didn't care much for that. Recently, out vet got a new one from Royal Canin called Urinary programme LP30. They all have a low quantity of Ash, Calcium and Magnesium, which are VERY important! Fister definately prefers Hills (dry food) to the others.
Don't give him ANY other food, (I know it's hard) but take him to the vet again in a few days if he still has problems!

It's friday, so you should find out whether you can get any of these (we can not get them in ordinary pet shops in Denmark) before your vet close down for the weekend! It's so important!!

Also, see if you can make him drink as much as possible (WATER), this should also help a lot.

You're welcome to contact me by PM also, if there's anything you want to ask!

Good luck!! Fingers and paws crossed here! :)

[NoahsMommy]

Poor Marley...

I can't offer advice other than to listen to what the othes have said. They really know what they are talking about. This site is such a great asset to people who lives with animals. Welcome by the way!! :)

Let us know how he is doing...

Randi: I loved this sentence, thank you for making my Friday (in the office all by myself...I know...boohoo! :)) fun! You made me giggle... :D

make him drink as much as possible (WATER),

[krazyaboutkatz]

I can't offer any advice either but I do hope that you'll be able to find a food that Marley will eat so that he can get better. I also want to welcome you to Pet Talk. The people here will be a great help to you. Good luck and please keep us posted.:)

[Randi]

Any progress? I hope he is better! If not, you should take him to the vet.

Keep us updated, please! :)

[sweet_stormy]

yes please do.

[Authordiva]

Here's Marley's weekend update:

I picked up the Hill's S/D dry food from my vet on Friday, as Marley was avoiding the canned at all costs. He's been eating the dry, but not a lot. He's been drinking his water as well.

I've been keeping a close eye on him while he's in the litterbox, and it appears as if he is going okay. He's still licking the genital area a lot, which concerns me. However, as long as he is eating, drinking, and urinating, I'll just keep watching.

My husband is going to call the vet this morning to see if she has any further recommendations about feeding. She had mentioned a Eukanuba brand food that we might be able to try. I would just like to see him eating more than he is right now. :(

[Randi]

I'm glad to hear the news! If he's not skinny, I don't think you have to worrry about him not eating so much. You can get a little set to take a test of his urine - the vet probably has it, then you just have to have the vet examine it. Hope he keeps eating and drinking! ;)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to here that Marley seems to be doing better. I wouldn't worry too much as long as he's still eating and drinking and of course urinating. All fingers and paws are crossed here. Please continue to keep us updated.

[Authordiva]

Here's the latest Marley update:

He is finished with his Clavamox (Finally!) His energy level is pretty high right now, and he is enjoying his feather on a stick quite a bit.

As for food, he is sticking with the S/D dry, and munching on it a little bit at a time throughout the day. He's also drinking his water. I change his litterbox every day to encourage him to keep visiting it.

We will see our vet again in 2 weeks (gotta make the appointment today, in fact) where Marley will have his urine checked for crystals. At that time the doctor may start him on a Eukanuba food.

Thank you for all of your advice and good wishes for Marley. I will certainly keep you updated as time goes on.

Love,
me

[kohala]

Just wanted to send some positive thoughts Marley's way. Marley seems to be a pretty young cat, so hopefully he will get past this problem with flying colors!! Can't wait to see his picture! Meows from the Hopster

[MissMeow]

see if you can make him drink as much as possible (WATER), this should also help a lot.

Perhaps a strong martini would do the trick as well! LOL...(kidding!);)

[Miss Meow]

Originally posted by MissMeow
see if you can make him drink as much as possible (WATER), this should also help a lot.

Perhaps a strong martini would do the trick as well! LOL...(kidding!);)

Ha ha ha, there are two Miss Meows! I nearly fell over when I saw a post from me on 6 July, when I hadn't even been near the site for days! But you don't have a space in your user name. Welcome!

[Karma]

If your regular vet doesn't seem to be able to help you you can always try asking another vet about what to do. I have my favorite regular vet, but when it comes to some problems I'm often not happy with her diagnosis or treatment. Ive taken my cats to other vets then to get the help my furry friends need.

How long did you give your cat to get use to the food? It may take a while. I would try for a good 4 days and watch and see if he is eating a bit more every day. Sometimes they warm up to a food once they know its all their getting.

Also, Ive had cats turn down Science Diet, but when I tried a brand called Selective Care they ate it right up. Your vet could help you get the right formula from Selective Care since they make many for many different health problems.
Please keep us informed and good luck!:)

[nanouk]

Hi,

My two dogs and one of my cats are all afflicted with struvite crystals --- (overly alkaline urine which causes such crystals to form in the urinary tract). I will relate to you my experience in laborious detail, as I have given this problem lots of consideration and have sought and finally found a solution, and not a "masking" of symptoms with anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, etc.

According to Vet #1, the struvites "happened" because of the the diet they were on. That was his theory. I considered what I was feeding them appropriate, or top end. However, this problem surfaced about one year after we moved to an area where the drinking water was overly alkaline. (Interestingly enough, another vet in this area told me that the bovine and cows around here are also suffering from this kind of problem. Only a theory here, but is it possible that such a high pH of the water, would be a contributing factor to the problem ???) So, the damage was done. What to do now:confused: ? First off, I started giving my cat bottled drinking water, as I did not know the pH of our household water. At least with the bottled one, I know the pH is around 6, which I am told is desirable.

Next, my cat was not eating either. He was on antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories.... Would you be hungry if your digestive system was being bombarded with such stuff? Maybe your beautiful puddy cat was not on this stuff, but the mere fact that he suffered such a traumatic experience (difficulty urinating, being swept away to the vet's, examined by unfamiliar hands, concerned parents (you and hubby), cats pick up our emotions, worries, etc.....), in my opinion is enough to get him off his food. So I resorted to my arsenal, and responded with Bach Flower remedies. These are homeopathic dilutions which address emotional states. For my Puddy cat, I gave him a combination for the trauma he had just lived....and the confusion he must be experiencing...(Hey, if these dilutions address human emotions, who is going to tell me that they do not work for animals....They sure do...) Not long thereafter, my cat's appetite returned. He seemed to lose the worriedness about him, and regained his self-confidence. Next, I stopped giving him the 'meds' -- playing with fire here, but hey...


A tip for trying to get him to eat: heat up the canned food in the micro-wave. It worked for me. But to tell you the truth, I did not stay on it a long time --- the food the vet put him on. I went to a brand with low ash, and same %of protein as the vet food. But one thing I "did" change, or add, was feeding him canned food at least once a day. With this problem (struvites), getting enough liquid into the feline is critical...This is stated in Natural Health for cats and dogs, by Dr. Pitcairn. Here I am 3.5 years after the onset of the problem, and all is well.

I sought alternative solutions, as I could not understand how food would so to speak 'dissolve' the crystals. I consulted a homeopathic vet (a little skeptical I must admit). He examined my four-legged baby and studied a copy of the urine analysis done by Vet #1. He then gave me something which would: reduce inflammation of the urinary tract (thus easing the passage of urine), help with the pain, help dissolve the struvites:D , and the list goes on and on. I left there with instructions on how to administer the homeopathic drops orally and kept my fingers crossed. When I asked when I should return, he said in 12 months. I could not believe my ears.

Within days, my baby was back to his old self.. Running around, hunting, peeing, pooing, etc. A couple of months later, I returned to Vet #1, and had a urine sample done. Believe it or not, the struvites had diminished dramatically. The vet said he had never seen such a drastic change in so short a time, and that my little one was responding extremely well to the special food he had been put on....:p

So, all this to say, that I do go back to the homeopathic vet once a year, in the Fall, to get an anti-struvite, toning remedy. And all has been well ever since.

Hope this has helped you....Do not despair. All will be well, and keep checking the litter box.

Kisses to your Puddy cat, from mine.