Question. Please read. (update: Doesn't seem good...)

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Originally Posted by Kfamr

Oh no. :( I know how much your Butter means to you. Thank gosh you caught it and reacted in time that it wasn't life threatening.

I don't know much about kitty health so I don't have much advice to offer. I know that if the chance you need financial help I would be more than happy to help you the best I can. PLEASE PM/email/AIM me if you need help with anything, even if you just want to talk about it.

It sounds like he wasn't doing well at all and he's doing a lot better now - he is a pretty strong boy!


Silly pets always getting sick when the vets are closed.. :p :rolleyes: Seems like whenever one of my three get sick, it's Sunday or a holiday, or their just already closed.


Hugs to you and Butter (and Jo, Zeke, Kiba, and Smitten!)

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Thanks kay :) I like your sig, do you mind if I used it too? I really appreciate you thinking of him enough to do that. That made me feel really good to know people care :) *tears up*

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Hon - you KNOW your fellow PTrs will help out....if your vet can't arrange payments, or this gets too much, just ask. You can PM me, ok? I can't do MUCH, but I will do what I can. A few more folks, and it'll all add up - maybe with some left over for "get-well" presents!

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I thankfully had some money saved so I can pay for this. I imagen in the end it will be over $1000...that's fine. Money can be replaced, he can't. My problem is if it comes back soon, then I'm afraid I might have to give him up because I can't afford another $1000 or more. If it happens again, I would want to have the surgery...I imagen that will cost a lot more than $1000 *sigh* I pray that it doesn't come back. I'll do whatever I can for him...but unfortantly I don't have thousands of dollars to keep putting into something that will only come back. I just don't know that I could have him put to sleep...I honestly don't think I can...I don't know what will do.

I don't know what I would do without you PTs. The thought itself means more than you can possibly know. This has been very hard on me, and I constantly worry that something will happen to him. I wish I could show you guys how much you mean to me.

Anyway, I just went and visited him. he looks very well. He kept trying to get out of his cage and get to me. He kept rubbing against the cage for me to pat him. He was even purring a little! He still has the catheter in and he said they might take it out a little before the 24hr mark. The heart doctor didn't look at him yet, so I still don't know if he has a heart problem. I SO hope not!! I want to be able to feed him that food. He also said there was a lot of grainy stuff in the pee or something? He gave me a bunch of stuff to read so I'll see if I can answer some of my own questions with it.

He might be home tomorrow. The vet will call me in the morning to let me know how he is doing. Please pray that he doesn't have a heart problem!

We will pray that his only "heart" problem is missing his mom and his home. Sending well wishes your way, Butter-boy!

Coming into this a little late, but I am so happy to hear that your precious Butter is getting the care that he so needs.

Prayers on the way that Butter has a full and speedy recovery and that nothing serious is wrong with his heart.

((((((HUGS)))))) for his meowmie.

It's amazing how many people say they wouldn't spend $700-$1000 on their cat. One guy said he wouldn't even spend $300! I know it's a lot, but I spent more on a stupid camera, so how can I not for a living thing that I love so much?

haven't been around until I saw and wondered who's that butter in kfamr's signature! so sorry it's YOUR butter-boy! never knew he was the shadow I know.

so glad you had him being looked at sooner and it's not life threatening. when you find out more about heart murmur - maybe you could talk with callie's mom, one of her cats had heart murmur before, I think.

keep butter around, I'd like to know how he's doing .. is he not himself still? give gentle huggles to your boy for me, please? :)

edit ~ ahh, don't listen to that lacky guy! stick to US, WE are here for you! ;)

I just got home from work a little while ago, and the first thing I wanted to do was to get on here and check for any updates on Butter! I am glad he is more comfortable, and that you took him to a DIFFERENT vet. than the one who told you it probably wasn't serious!

Keeping you and Butter in my prayers yet, for a positive outcome from all of this and from his heart tests...........

Deb

Along with your research, see if IMOM.org would help with surgery, if it's needed. Might as well line up all your ducks now - and if and when you don't need them, great!

HUGS! So looking forward to Butter coming home. Give that beautiful boy some scritchies from me!

I really miss him! I'm just so worried it will come back.

I'm going to do everything I can to reduce the change...like food change, water fountain, more play time, make sure litter boxes are ALWAYS fresh. (I should probably dump the whole litter more often?)
urg, I just don't know what I'll do if he has a serious heart problem. Or what I'll do if this problem comes back. I know it's horrible to think, but either he gets the surgery or I just can't keep paying all this money everytime it comes back :( I feel awful.

Poor Butter. I'm glad he is doing better and praying that he doesn't have a serious heart problem.

If you can find out what was blocking him - mucus, struvite, oxalate - that'll give you a better idea of how to keep it from happening again. Meanwhile, there's a vitamin called Cosequin that just strengthens the urinary system, and it even comes in chicken-n-fish flavor. You just open the capsule and sprinkle it over the cat's food. It's got glucosamine and chondroitin in it, which help strengthen the glycosaminoglycan layer to keep blockages from hurting your kitty's insides. Ask your vet about it, and also what showed up on urinalysis. Struvite's the most common, and foods rich in methionine help keep it from coming back.

Love, Columbine

The vet said there was a lot of grainy stuff or something. I'm waiting for him to call and tell me how he is doing today

If "grainy" means crystals, that can usually be controlled really well with diet. When Oscar had crystals AND an infection, the food change dissolved the crystals in about a week.

HUGS to you and your boy. Remember - if he is happy and eating and playing and purring and pooping and peeing - great stuff!

I don't think you have to change your boxes more often or anything.

Looking forward to hearing he is HOME and the rest of the news!

I wish the vet would hurry and call me! They must be waiting for the heart specialist to look at him...I'm really dying to know if he does have any serious problems with his heart.

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Originally Posted by slleipnir

I wish the vet would hurry and call me! They must be waiting for the heart specialist to look at him...I'm really dying to know if he does have any serious problems with his heart.

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Maybe you should call them. Sometimes they just get so busy that they don't call you back when they say they will. I hope that you'll receive some good news about Butter's heart.

I just got a call from them.

The heart specialist did look at him, and his heart is a little larger than it should be. He needs a ultrasound or something to see what is going on. (An extra $200+) She said it is important to have it done so they know what's going on with him, especially if he has another blockage. For now, he can't eat that special food as it may be bad for his heart.

On the plus side, he has been peeing just fine all day today and gets to come home in an hour! I'm frightened to see the bill though :( I already gave them 450, and they said it would be atleast 700. The girl just said it was like 300 to do whatever tests they did to his heart?? Ick...Plus another 200 for the ultrasound he needs. This is why he can't get it again because I won't be able to help him next time.

He's home.

I set up his new water fountain which he seems to like. He went right to his food and inhaled it like he hasn't eatten at all. I took it away so he wouldn't get sick.

He went to the "box" and sat for a while and only made a tiny pee...then he keeps licking...I hope he's not getting blocked already!!

He seems happy to be home and was purring like mad. The vet said he was really funny and such a nice cat. He said some cats get really annoyed/angry when they do the treatments, but not Butter.

Kiba doesn't seem to like him right now. I figured she would act like this though.

I'm keeping them seperated for a day or 2 just to keep an eye on Butter using the litter box.

He might be so used to going in the box that he goes in even if he doesn't need to. The water fountain will help; my guys drink more water with it running.

Feel better, Butter!

We Are Praying That Butter Is All Right, And That He Has No Further Health Problems.
That Scraes Me As So Many Of The Found Cats Are Getting Older.
I Hope That I Will Always Be Able To Help Them The Way You Did Butter.
They Send Butter A Big Mmmmeeeeeeooooowww!!!

Welcome home, Butter!
I hope he continues to improve! :)

Aww poor Butter. Welcome home sweetness. He probably smells like *vet* so the others will treat him differently for a day or so.

I'm just catching up on this news. SO HAPPY Butter is back home.

You seem to keep worrying ab out it (the blockage) coming back. Take one step at a time, at least for now. Not easy, we all know, have been through it with one medical issue or another. But try.

I think you are on the right track. Got a good vet (glad you called another one!). They are doing the tests to help define the problem. Then they will give you some instructions as to how to proceed, about both the heart issue and the blockage issue.

Best wishes to you and to Butter!

He doesn't seem well...he has been in the same spot since he came home...I picked up him and he seems sluggish...like how he was the other night...I'm getting worried about him...I can't deal with him getting it again right now

Maybe just give the vet a call and let him know abotu Butter's behaviour. He justmight be really exhausted having been through a lot, and without food.

They had a catheter in for a while, so he might be dehydrated - it might be a bit before he builds up enough extra fluid to pee.

See what the vet says...I can't see ANY cat getting it again this soon. Just call the vet, hon, for a consult. He can tell you what to check for.

I'm going to the vet again tomorrow to get some stuff, I'll ask then...I'm sure he's just tired.

I'm glad Butter is home, but I'm sorry to hear he still isn't acting well. :( I hope he is just tired. Was he sedated at the vet? Maybe it hasn't worn off yet.

I'm glad to hear that he's home and I hope that he'll continue to do well. Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way.

Do you know when Butter will have his ultrasound done? I hope that everything goes well. Take care.

Still keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.............

Deb

He didn't pee all night, but I heard him in the box this morning...another tiny pee :( He then licks his "area" after. Doesn't seem good. I'll ask the vet today

Aw! are you going to take him with you? HUGS!

Poor Butter, I hope the vet can give you some good news.

I phoned the vet.

He said it's good he's atleast peeing a little, and that his bladder just might be empty but still a little irratated which makes him want to pee. He said he could have been tired because he was up all day at the vet.

He said I need to keep an eye on him for the next few hours and make sure he's not straining to pee. Problem is I have to work tonight...

(edit)
He just "peed" again...no luck, he's straining again and only dribbled a little pee...I think I'll take him in tonight with him to be sure...*bigsigh*

I'm at a loss here. I have NO idea what to do. i don't have 700 bucks everyday for this...whatever they do. Urg, he's doing it again now. He just went like 30 seconds ago with no pee, and he went right back. Again, just a tiny speck of pee.

What do I do if he is blocked again? Is it really fair to him to give him this surgery? What if it's too expensive? Will it still come back? I honestly don't know what I'll do if it costs too much. I don't know how I could even have him put to sleep...that's what will happen if I can't afford it, right? I'm so worried...plus I have to work tonight and I really don't want to. I just want to be with my Butter. What do you guys think is best for him?

(edit2) What I mean is, if the surgery helps it go away for good, then he's gonna need that, because ifI get him cathetered again and it just comes back in a day, then I definetly can't help him...so I guess I only have the money for one more thing...should I try the catheter again, and hope, or should I get the surgery and hopefully be done with it? But is that really fair/humane? Plus if he has a heart problem then that's hard to do...Why me? I can't handle this

*sigh* hejust tried to pee on my clothes with no luck, and now back in the box....I'll definetly take him in when I go in a couple hours.

I'm so sorry. I've not experienced this with a cat so I don't know what advice to give. What did the vet recommend?

I know several PT cats have had the operation with success. Maybe they can help you decide.

Prayers and good thoughts for you and Butter.

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Originally Posted by jazzcat

I'm so sorry. I've not experienced this with a cat so I don't know what advice to give. What did the vet recommend?

I know several PT cats have had the operation with success. Maybe they can help you decide.

Prayers and good thoughts for you and Butter.

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I haven't had him in yet, so I don't know for sure what's going on. I'm sure the vet would recommend the catheter again...but I don't think I can do that. I would rather have the surgery and know he'll be fine...They must think I'm rich or something

I just read this entire thread, and I'm so sorry that you and Butter have to go through this.

First of all, let me say that I'm more than relieved that you brought him to the ER that weekend, and it's totally beyond me how the first vet you've called could tell you it doesn't sound serious! :mad: The symptoms you described in your first posts sounded VERY serious!!

I understand your worries about the financials. But I know, none of us here would give up on his cat for that reason! :)

I hope there will be a way to prevent further blockages, maybe a penis amputation would do? (I know they do that sometimes with male cats that are prone to blockages).

I know you cannot compare this as my Luna is a girl, but she's having problems with UTI/struvite crystals for years. Her urine needs to be regularily checked to make sure she doesn't develope a blockage. As soon as she has problems peeing, off to the vet we go.

This year, one vet recommended some homoepathic remedies (Berberis and Cantharis) as an addition to her diet food and her UROPET paste, and she's doing much better since. Maybe homeopathy would work for Butter as well? I think it may be worth a try, and it's not expensive.

I really hope that Butter's current behavior is still coming from an irritation of the bladder tissue. I'll keep him in my thoughts, hopefully he will feel much better soon!

Kirsten

Is he drinking and eating?

If he is not drinking a lot, a much less expensive thing might be for the vet to give him sub-q fluids to fill his bladder quickly, and see how he does then. See what your vet says.

I am sure they must have known he could pee okay before they sent him home?

Also - TELL them how scared you are and that you don't have a ton of money. If the one vet is nice, I am sure something can be worked out.


HUGS

The vet said he WAS peeing fine...I saw him have a little to drink atleast. He was eatting last night. I think I would like the vet to check just to be sure..

sweetie, I'm praying hard and harder!

I feel bad not having this experience with one of my cats so I don't really have much advices to share. I know one person who's really expert at this problem, who PMed me when I thought one of my cats had crystals...I'll have to find her right username! shoot, I forgot.

I think, well if I were you, by aly's description and experiences in basic vet's offices before - if nothing else more than blockages - a surgery probably would be better, especially less painful (and less expenisve) for your dear butter-boy going through this over again and again.

don't feel bad making a decision, I trust you love this boy with all your heart and I know you will find out the best for him soon! just give yourself some more time thinking on this while butter is being taken care of.

edit ~ curious.. do you feed butter RAW or what food?

I took him out again, and the vet had a quick look. He said his bladder doesn't feel big or hard or anything which is good. But he did an x-ray or something and there is a lot of "grit" in there :( He said if he doesn't pee by tomorrow then it's a problem...and of couse, the vet is closed tomorrow so that will be another $100 just for the visit. He said they will have to do it all over again, and if it comes back yet again, then there is the surgery. I told him I really can't afford that. He just look sorta sympathetic. I really don't want to go through all this just to have to put him to sleep in the end. I know that's a mean thought, but...

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Originally Posted by slleipnir

What do I do if he is blocked again? Is it really fair to him to give him this surgery? What if it's too expensive? Will it still come back? I honestly don't know what I'll do if it costs too much.

(edit2) What I mean is, if the surgery helps it go away for good, then he's gonna need that, because ifI get him cathetered again and it just comes back in a day, then I definetly can't help him...so I guess I only have the money for one more thing...should I try the catheter again, and hope, or should I get the surgery and hopefully be done with it? But is that really fair/humane? Plus if he has a heart problem then that's hard to do...Why me? I can't handle this

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Unfortunately, I have tons of experience with this problem. My vet recommends the surgery after the third blockage. He told me that 30% of all male cats will block at some point in their lives. Of those cats, it happens to 10% more than once and about 5% of them will eventually need a PU surgery.

Pete blocked five times in four months. By the time I sent him for the surgery, he was blocking every 36 hours. My vet flat out told me, "you put him on a plane tonight, or bring him back tomorrow tonight and I"ll end this for both of you." My vet can't do the surgery and Pete had to travel to Saskatoon where it was done at the UofS vet school clinic.

The surgery does not solve the underlying problem. Whatever is causing the blockage will still be there. It does solve the lifethreatening problem though. A blockage is painful and can be fatal in a hurry. The surgery stops that entirely.

However, it does leave the cat more vunerable to infections. Pete gets on average 2 UTI infections a year. As he gets older, they seem to get less frequent. Twicket had the same surgery and lived to be almost 15. He had one infection in the 2 years I had him. Pete still has litterbox issues. He associates it with pain so sometimes he pees in the wrong spots(like the laundry basket!) He also still eats a special diet(Royal Canin Urinary formula).

If you have a teaching hospital or a vet school near you, contact them about doing the procedure. Pete got truly exceptional care and the bill was about half of what it would have been at a private clinic. It was still very expensive, but at least is wasn't as pricey as it could have been.

I was very nervous about doing the surgery, but now I wouldn't hesitate. If my other boys develop the same problems, they are off to the surgeon! Pete came home happy, affectionate and his life expectancy is the same as any other indoor cat now. Worth every dime of the bill and the interest Visa charged me!

I hope you don't have to deal with any of that though and that Butter is back to health very soon!