Pouncer again :(

[catnapper]

Sigh, my boy is straining to pee again. Will he ever get better? I went to vet again today, and they gave me a different food because he wasn't eating the Hills SD. I know its my stupid fault for letting him eat the occasional kibble of regular food.

In the meantime, he's also back on the Baytril and I'm not gonna let him near the regular food. As soon as the 20 pound bag of regular food I bought is gone, EVERYONE will be on a food thats good for him to eat. I can't continue to keep him separated at feeding time -- I think thats part of the problem. He wants to eat what everyone else is eating, regardless of whether or not its yummier. :rolleyes: Then when I let him out of the room, he flies downstaris to eat whats left over in the food dishes, and then Abby and Harry fly into the room to eat whats left over of the SD :rolleyes: I'm almost certain Abby and Harry have eaten more of the SD in the past month than Pouncer has. :rolleyes:

Oh, I also have to make doubly sure he gets plenty of fresh water. I'll be looking into a water fountain for the cats as soon as I can afford one.

[Barbara]

Tigris sends his best wishes to Pouncer and adds he would never eat a diet.
Hope your boy is well soon.

[Glacier]

My cats all eat the Hills CD formula. Only Pete needs it, but my vet said it was safe for all of them. They all seem to like it too. Pete gets the canned version too. The rest of them get different kinds of canned food.

Don't beat yourself up about letting him eat a bit of other kibble. From the sounds of it Pouncer has idopathic FLUTD--that's what Pete has. Just means they don't actually have a clue what causes it! Diet is just a best guess.

Getting more liquid into him is very important. Does he like canned food? Pete was on a canned food only diet, much to his delight, at one point when he was having constant flare-ups. I also sprinkle a bit of parmasen(sp??) cheese on his food occasionally. He loves it and it's makes him thirsty! Chicken broth, drippings from a roast, are good for baiting water too.

How old is Pouncer? My vet told me that when a cat develops FLUTD young, they sometimes outgrow it as they age. That seems to be happening for Pete. He did need a PU surgery, but that doesn't cure the cause, only the life-threatening symptoms. Pete still had difficulties after the surgery, but they have diminished as he's aged. He was two when he got sick. He's 6 now. It's been well over a year since he had a flare-up!

Good luck! It's a frustrating disease to deal with.

[catnapper]

Thanks Glacier! Pouncer is only two, and I thought that he was awfully young to develop crystals already. It is entirely possible Pouncer does have the samne thing as Pete. Poor dudes.

I'm thinking the flare-up is related to the introduction of Aladdin. Awfully coincidental that two days after Aladdin was introduced and scaring Pouncer that he deveolped crystals again. :( Pouncer is such a sensitive boy, and I think he gets stressed much easier than the average kitty. I've been told stress is a trigger for crystals. Just one last sign that I should wash my hands of fostering.

[Craftlady]

PetSmart online has the fountains for $19.95 plus shipping.
Get the fountain at the store and it's $34.95. It's a no brainer where the best deal is located :)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Oh no, not poor Pouncer again. Sure hope the meds do the trick again and he'll be ok once and for all!

[moosmom]

When I tried saving a couple of bucks on dry food, I went for the cheaper stuff. Casey (RB, 2002) got instant crystals in his urine!! The vet told me that some males are more prone to UTI's than others. So, I put them back on SD and I never had another problem of a UTI again.

[catmandu]

I will have to tell Pouncer Angel to guide her Little protege to the Right Food so he will be healthy.
I rememberbuying Medi Cal Food for Mr Scrappy,and Princess and Michael eating most of it at 35 Dollars a bag!
We hope that Pouncer will be All Right!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kim, I'm so sorry to hear that Pouncer's having problems again. :( It probably is due to stress. I'm pretty sure that Storm's was also due to stress but he also had a very small urethra so it was only a matter of time before he became blocked. Since Storm's surgery, I've been making sure that he gets plenty of water and I've been mixing his dry food in with wet food and adding a little more water. So far so good but I'll know more next month after his urinalysis check up. I think that putting the cats all on the same food is great idea. I sure hope that this will help Pouncer stay healthy. I'm sending prayers and postive thoughts to both you and Pouncer. Please continue to keep us updated about him.

[Uabassoon]

I'm sorry to hear about Pouncers problems. I hope it gets better soon.

[smokey the elder]

Poor Pouncer! You need to learn to eat the good food.

[slick]

I'm sorry I didn't see this until now. I've been wrapped up in my own problems here.

Max get's crystals quite often and he really doesn't like the SD much but he will eat it because he knows there is nothing else available. Before Specks got so sick, I would do what Glacier does and give them both SD when only Max needed it.

Also at night I would crush up the SD into a powder and mix it in with the wet food. That seemed to help alot.

Good luck Pouncer and get a good boy and eat what you need to, OK??

[jenluckenbach]

My entire crew is also eating c/d. After several problem cats I came to realize that the cost of the food was better than the cost of treating the crystals/bladder stones/blockages.

If Pouncer has no choice, he WILL eat the food.

[smokey the elder]

I hear that. All my cats ate C/D from 1997 till 1999, because Smokey needed it. They didn't seem to object!

[Barbara]

If it's FLUTD (in Tigris case it is) then he doesn't need a diet as he doesn't form crystals. But water intake is important. I always add a teaspoon to Tigris' food.

Tigris had now no symptoms for one year (is there any wood I can knock on?)

[slick]

How is little Pouncer today?

[Kirsten]

Oh no, poor Pouncer! Luna can relate to this, just a couple of days ago, she had a bad bladder infection again and is now on Marbocyl.

It's so hard with diets when you have more than one cat, it's the same here. Instead of a diet food, I have UroPet paste to mix it under Luna's wet food (good thing is that Lily only eats dry food). My vet also gave me a product called Astorin FLUTD-Aid, which is a little pill that tastes like cheese, and Luna eats it without problems.

Kirsten

[catnapper]

Well, so far, so good. I've been out of town visiting my mom for a few days, and left hubby to care for Pouncer. I have not seen him straining to pee yet today, and right now he's intent of stealing my chicken sandwich :rolleyes: I would say he's back to normal :p Boy that medicine takes effect quickly!

He LOVES the Hills CD. Thank God!!! I have been giving him 1/4 of the wet CD each night too while everyone gets their regular wet food. He seems quite happy and content to eat the wet CD in the same room as everyone else eating theirs, and he doesn't try to ignore his food to steal from them. I haven't even oipened the 20 pound bag of cat food yet... still working on the last 20 poound bag.... its gonna be a long time til I can put everyone on the same food.

[catnapper]

He's still straining. The anitbiotics apparently weren't enough, so we have another vet appointment for another urinalysis on Thursday. Wish my little boy luck. The vet said if this continues and remains unsolved that he'll be looking at possible complete blockage soon, and then we all know not only is it life threatening, its also very expensive to have the surgery to fix him.

[jenluckenbach]

Poor Pouncer. :(

Is he eating his correct food? Maybe the s/d was stopped too soon. (I know, he hated it. :rolleyes: )

[Kirsten]

I'm so sorry to hear that Pouncer is sick again. It's so frustrating when these nasty UTIs never seem to stop! It's the same with Luna here.

Besides, everyone who ever had a bladder infection knows what our poor babies are going through.

We wish you a speedy recovery, Pouncer, and Lily sends purrs and headbumpies.

Kirsten

[furrykidsmother]

So sorry to hear that Pouncer is still having problems. Good luck and good thoughts to both of you that the problem can be taken care of without the need for surgery.

[catnapper]

I think I'm going to be a nervous wreck before tomorrow gets here. He's strained allll day and is currently in the box AGAIN. As far as I can tell, he's not done anything in the box. Thank God we have a morning appointment or I'll go nuts with worry.

I don't care how much it costs -- I'll find the money SOMEHOW to pay for him.

[slick]

I think I'm going to be a nervous wreck before tomorrow gets here
I know just how you feel. We've all been there at one time or another. It's so hard when our babies are sick. All fingers and paws crossed here. I'll be watching for an uppydate tomorrow. (((hugs}}}

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kim, I'm so sorry to hear that Pouncer is still not doig well. :( I sure hope that his new food will help him so he won't have to have the dreaded PU surgery. Storm says it's a long and painful recovery and then you look and pee just like a girl kitty. Good luck tomorrow and please keep us updated about him. :)

Storm will also be going to the vet tomorrow for another urinalysis. He's supposed to have one every 6 months and I noticed that he's been licking his pee area and the night before I left on my trip he was a little bloody there too. Storm feels Pouncer's pain and sends extra headbumpies and scritches to him. Please get well soon Pouncer.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Awwwww porr Pouncer!! I hope the vets has good news for you!!

[kb2yjx]

O, I hope Pouncer is feeling much better!!! Our Miss BooBoo Kitty(RIP 5/22/04), when she was older(and a kidney kitty)developed UTI's. She perplexed the vet, because sometimes it took a long time to find the right antibiotic. At our house, there are several cats on different vet diets for various health problems!! What I find funny, is that they healthy cats love those diets!!! Prayers for Pouncer!!! GET WELL SOON!!!

[Catty1]

I really feel for the poor guy overnight - I hope he is able to pass SOMETHING, his poor kidneys...If your vet thought tomorrow was ok, I guess it is, of course. If it gets bad overnight, and there is an emergency number, they could pass a catheter...sorry, I am just worried, but not as much as you, I know!

Prayers for dear Pouncer! Hope to hear good news soon - he recovered before, so hopefully a few more meds will do it!

Catty1

[catnapper]

I don't know what to do..... he's been fine all week, and today he started straining again. :(

My heart is breaking, and right now I KNOW I can't afford anything else (Xrays and such). I hsve not worked in 3 weeks.... no incoming money AT ALL and a lot going out.

[Catty1]

Oh dear! There ARE cat treats out now that have cranberry in them, I have seen them...but that is for future.

I don't know where you are and can't help - but some vets will allow a person to work for "vet dollars".

Do you have time to do a barter thing like that?

HUGS
Catty1

[kb2yjx]

I will be going to the Monastery this afternoon and will offer prayers for Pouncer!!! He know you love him and are doing all you can to help him. Will say a few prayers for your peace of mind.

[kimlovescats]

I don't know what to do..... he's been fine all week, and today he started straining again. :(

My heart is breaking, and right now I KNOW I can't afford anything else (Xrays and such). I hsve not worked in 3 weeks.... no incoming money AT ALL and a lot going out.


Oh Kim, I'm so sorry!!!! I wish I knew what to tell you, or how to help. I know this is Saturday ... I'm hoping your vet office is open, and you don't have to wait until Monday?

HUGS,
Kim

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this Kim. :( When Sunny had his episode of straining the medicine that finally worked for him was propantheline. It's actually a drug for people but it helped him relax so he stopped straining. He took one 7.5mg pills two times a day for a week. I know that his problem was a little different because his was just due to stress and there weren't any crystals involved but it might be worth a try. I'm sending lots of prayers and positive thoughts to both you and Pouncer. Please take care and I hope Pouncer will start feeling better soon. (((HUGS)))

[catnapper]

I'm, in a rush this morning, but I wanted to please ask for prayers for Pouncer. He was up allll night trying to pee. I am desperately worried about him, and even at this point hubby is too. Somethign is wrong.

The ONLY thing keeping my sanity at the moment is the knowledge that I cannot feel his bladder. That means its not full and not currently life threatening.

I was up crying into his belly fur all night (which he did NOT appreciate) Please pray my boy will be ok. Please?

[catmandu]

We are praying for Pouncer,and Pouncer,Mr Scrappy and Mr Fluffy Angels are there to see to thier Little Friend.
We are praying that the Whoite Coats can give Pouncer,and You some relief from his problems.

[kb2yjx]

Prayers on the way for Pouncer and you!!! Hang on until he gets to the vet!!!

[Catty1]

And your meowmie knows we care - I don't have a ton of money, and it's Canadian :rolleyes: - but if your vet can't do you working for "vet dollars", I will help a little bit, ok? Just get your boy better!

Catty1

[jenluckenbach]

Prayers for Pouncer.

[kuhio98]

We're alll praying that Pouncer feels better very soon.

[catnapper]

Well, he's out and about just like normal tonight. I just fed the monsters their wet food and he came right up to get his serving. He has not been hiding, hes been wandering around like my normal curious bad boy.

I have not seen him near a box the past few hours. My son said he was in and out of boxes all afternoon. I will DEFINATELY be calling the vet in the morning.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kim, I sure hope that Pouncer's okay and that your vet will be able to work with you on the bill. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way.

[kb2yjx]

Fingers and paws crossed for Pouncer!! PLease keep us posted to what happens at the vet!!