Robin's Saga

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

It all started in February when I noticed little blood spots by the litterbox. Turns out it wasn't a UTI, but calcium oxilate crystals. we've had many vet appointments, x-rays, consultations, etc. In general she shows NO signs of discomfort or pain. She is her normal little squeaky self, and she has even started coming out of her shell more and more and being interested in what's outside, playing more, not taking any guff from CJ, etc. So she's going along fine and all of a sudden one day she's exhibiting signs of a UTI. Antibiotics don't work so I take her to a different vet. This vet gives us a different antibiotic but takes a urine sample to get a culture and she takes more x-rays. This is all in So. California.

We get Robin to the vet I like in Chicago - the one that did so much for us with Tubby & Peanut - and I give him all her records and copies of the x-rays. She has the crystals in her ureters and he says he can do the surgery to remove them, but he is worried about her follow-up care since we will only be in the Chicago area for another week. He refers us to the Iowa State University Veterinarian School in Ames, IA because we will be near Des Moines for most of the summer. She has an appointment there on May 19th.

There are only a few vets that can do this type of surgery because the ureters are so tiny. It's extensive surgery. The surgery may cause scarring which could block the ureter. It's dangerous and there are no guarantees, but going to the University is our best shot. If we do nothing her ureters are likely to become blocked which will then cause her kidneys to shut down.

She is really doing well right now although I can tell she has lost some weight. She is still feisty and interested and sweet and comes for her nummies and yells at CJ and demands her tummy-time and kills her mousies, but needless to say I am worried about what is to come.

We really have no way of knowing how old she is, but we estimate she is about 12. We've only had her for 3 years now. She is on special food that she likes (thank goodness). She's been a real trooper through all the vet visits so all I can do is hope and pray she survives the surgery as well.

It's only been 3 years, but she's our sweet little girl and we're devastated that she has to go through all this. I guess some cats are more prone to this than others, and evidently she's a worst case scenerio. The one vet even said "She's an interesting case, I've never seen stones in the ureters before. I'd like to know what happens because she should be written up in a medical journal." Yes, my widdle Wobin written up in a medical journal. :(

Anyway, just wanted to update you all on what's happening. We're in WI for a week then we head back to IA for her appointment and we'll be there until the end of September.

[Barbara]

Oh Debbie- I know what you are going through. I hope so much the surgery can help your little girl. I think it is a good sign that she still is feisty and playful.
All paws crossed here for Robin's recovery.

[Donnaj4962]

Aw, how sad for all of you! Sounds like you will be getting her the best care possible, though! Sashie and I will keep sweet Robin in our prayers. And I know my Tabby will be watching over her from the RB.

(((hugs))) to your widdle furbabies!

[Sonia59]

Poor Robin and poor you! We are crossing paws and fingers that everything will be OK.

[Freedom]

Well this is a shock! Hello Robin, you do look lovely in that photo, all sprawled out.

Sorry to read about all the tests and that. My goodness!

Bichons are prone to crystals, and we try to keep to a safe diet to prevent them from occurring. But those are bladder stones. In the urethra! I can only imagine they started in the bladder and moved.

Purrayers for Robin that all goes along well! Please keep us posted.

[Catty1]

Prayers for beautiful Robin! She sure lucked out when she came to live with you...her previous owner might not have noticed anything, although from what I remember, he was not at all unkind.

How odd that nothing dissolves them...though being in the ureter, they don't get soaked in the stuff that would work.

PT Prayers for the surgery, and that Robin will come through with flying colours! :)

I don't know if this well help any meanwhile, but when Oscar had a few crystals and a UTI several years ago, the vet was okay with me adding about 1/5 of a capsule of cranberry powder to plain unflavoured yogurt, once a day for about a month. Kept the acidity up.

PT Prayers for beautiful Robin. Wonderful that she is feeling great and even getting a little brave! :):love::love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

Debbie, I'm so sorry to hear about Robin.:( I've only heard of bladder stones too which then have to be removed by surgery. I sure hope that everything will go well with her surgery and that she'll recover quickly and won't ever have this problem again. I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

Robin and you guys will be in my thoughts and prayers.... I hope the surgery goes well and she is all better very soon! Kisses for her sweet little kitty self!

[Medusa]

I do hope that Robin comes through the surgery just fine and that all will be well after that. Keep the faythe. :)

[Pinot's Mom]

I'm sorry you and Robin are going through this; it is good she's not exhibiting any signs of pain. Prayers for the surgery and keep us posted!

[Laura's Babies]

WOW! That is a bit to swollow all of a sudden. I hated reading this about her but glad you shared it with us so we can pray for her. My goodness... I hate this. At lest it sounds like you are getting the best care for her and doing all that can be done and I will pray for her and the doctors to figure it out and to get her over this.. (((((HUGS))) for you and Robin.

She is still such a lovely girl, always such a little princess.

[Queen of Poop]

Prayers, good thoughts and purrrrs for Robin from Cali, Diego and I. She's such a beautiful girl. :love:

[catmandu]

We are all praying for Robin, and I know that Tubby and Peanuts are there for her as well. Its sad and scary when our Ctas are ill, we worry that it may be serious and theres nothing we can do, except ask our Vets to help.:(
Its such a helpless feeling knowing your Friend is ill , and wishing you could dso more.:(
Prayers from the Found Cats Hotel for Beautiful Robin:love::love::love:

[Anikaca77]

My prays are coming for Robin and for you as well.

Thank you for taking her in. She beautiful.

Melissa

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thank you all so much!

We're only about a day away from the big vet appointment. I'm really kind of dreading it because she's really acting quite fine and normal these days. No signs of anything wrong at all, so I hate the thought of creating something wrong....but of course I know there really is something wrong, I just can't see it without x-rays. But then there are the surgery worries. She is a little older as far as cat age goes, so surgery is always an issue........

We've been traveling which always concerns me because she doesn't have access to the litter box at her will - she needs to squeak at me to tell me she needs to use the box, so I always thing she doesn't go as often, which isn't good for a little girl with urinary tract issues. But, so far so good.

She is sleeping on my chest right now. Picture me laying down with the computer about waist level and a fluffy calico girl laying between my face and the computer screen, half laying on my right arm, so typing isn't the easiest thing in the world. She's such a silly little girl. :D

[Cinder & Smoke]

>Riiiiiiiing<

Herrow ... Heaven Here, Bowser at your service.

HI Bowz ... Izza KAT Department open?

Guys - we never close - and Ole Boots, da KAT, is werkin tanite ... I'll transfer you ...

HI, Purrayer Pups!
You're callin about Miz Robin? ... We're ON IT!
Tubby & Peanut are gassin the Silver Klowd Express; I'm fillin God's Thermos jug
wiff fresh kawfee; and we've got His *skrubbies* & *halo-hat* all laid out.
The Big Book is open to the "Stones in Strange Places" chaptur ...
We're reddy fur Sir Jury!

THANKS, Guys!
Kan you ask God to give Momma Debbie a Big {{{God'sHug}}} and
tell her that Robin is in Good Hands.

Tell God we said THANKS!
/s/ the Prayer Pups

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks so much, purrrayer pups, I needed that.

We just left and we left her there for more tests, and if we decide to do the surgery, we won't see her again until Sunday at the earliest. :(

But I know she's in good hands - the surgeons and otherwise. ;)

Will keep you updated.......

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Prayers on the way from me too!!! :love:

[Anikaca77]

Prays coming for Robin and for you as well.

Melissa

[Queen of Poop]

Prayers for you and Robin. Purrs from the fur kids.

[phesina]

Prayers and good wishes from all of us for dear Robin!

[Catty1]

Prayers for Robin! Is there a chance they won't have to do the surgery and can help her some other way? Or is it the normal pre-op tests?

hugs and prayers!:love::love::love:

[Freckles]

Lot's of good wishes for Robin. :love:

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thank you all sooo much!

So, turns out - after extensive testing - Robin is completely healthy in every way except she happens to have stones in her ureters. They are not affecting her physically in anyway - her kidneys are completely healthy and don't even show signs of early kidney failure which might be present in a kitty her age. So we need to watch her and we if we notice any signs of ureter blockage, we need to get her to the vet ASAP. We need to watch her for signs of UTI. We need to try to get her to eat more of her special wet food - which she really doesn't like, and we need to give her as many smoochies and tummy times as we can possibly fit into our schedules! Oh, and it's highly likely she's had these stones for a long time now and they just came to light because of the UTI she got, so hopefully they will continue to be no problem like they have been for these past three years.

We were just so relieved when we heard the news, and I knew it was all the PT prayers that made it all turn out so well - thank you!

We were very impressed with the ISU VMC (Iowa State University Veterinary Medical....college(?)). They were all so nice, professional and compassionate, and their prices weren't anymore than the vet in California. We're glad they're close - for now - and I really wish I could pack them in my suitcase and take them along when we leave here in the fall. ;)

Thank you all again - you're the best!

[Catty1]

WONDERFUL news! Let the tummy rubs and lovins begin!:D:love::love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

Debbie, this is wonderful news.:D Hopefully Robin will continue to do well so she won't ever need any type of surgery. Now let the tummy rubs begin.:)

[Queen of Poop]

Excellent news! Hugs for you and Robin.

[Pinot's Mom]

Such great news! Extended tummy rubs sent to Robin and {{{hugs}}} all 'round!:love:

[Laura's Babies]

I am so glad this has a happy outcome! Robin is such a lovely little girl and I am SO happy for all of you!

[Randi]

Sorry I'm late... but I'm so glad to read the news. :) Those stones Robin has, is there any way to dissolve them or make them pass?

I hope she will start eating more of that special diet you have for her - which one is it?

Please give her lots smoochies and tummy rubs from me. :love:

[momoffuzzyfaces]

So good to hear good news!!! Give Robin a head kissie from me, ok? :love: