Rutherford update

[jenluckenbach]

a continuation of this thread
old thread
So far, so good. Rutherford is getting daily sub-Q fluids and antibiotics. I still have him confined so I can monitor him. He is taking it all VERY well, but I feel so evil. His pee spots are still small but not like the little spirts he was giving before the block. I must admit to still being worried for a re-block. I guess that fear will hang on for quite a while.
Thanks for all your concerns.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jen, I'm so glad that Rutherford is continuing to do well and hopefully this will be a one time episode so you won't have to worry about another one. Does he eat only dry food? If so you may want to also start feeding him some wet food so that he'll have more moisture in his diet. Please take care and get well soon Rutherford.
Did your vet tell you what causes mucus blockages? I've never heard of them before and I'd like some more info about it. Thanks.

[jazzcat]

I'm glad he is doing better. Please give poor Rutherford a hug for me.

[jenluckenbach]

Well, right after the good report above, I had a bit of a scare. I saw those awful bloody dribbles in his box. Not the small pee marbles, but droplets. UT OH! Here we go again, I thought. So I packed him up and drug him to the vet for a "feel". PERFECT! She said. Empty bladder, no swelling. WHEW! But better safe than sorry.

[Killearn Kitties]

Phew!! Rutherford, stop frightening your mummy! Please give him some scritchies from me and some headbumpies from the girls.

[ChrisH]

Oh, Jen, that must have been so scary. {{hugs}} Still keeping him and you in my prayers.

Chris

[Barbara]

I found this Powerpoint presentation which helped me a lot to understand what happened with Tigris. As not everyone will have Powerpoint (I have it in the office but not at home I will quote what I found there:

UTD-Diseases

Of 143 cats with UTD (Urinary Tract Diseases) they found
1.4% with bacterial infections (what we call UTI)
22.4% with urethral plugs (Rutherford's case)
21 % with crystals (struvite or oxalate) (Boots' or Fister's case)
53.8% so called idiopathic (reason unknown, could be viruses, auto-immune and many others) (this is Tigris' case).

Now these urethral plugs consist mainly of tissue and cellular debris but can also contain minerals like struvite (which is also the stuff the most crystals are made from).

They say that in the case of obstruction, this obstruction of course must be relieved and this is done mostly via catheterization and flushing.

To help that it doesn't happen again, one should feed moist food, encourage drinking and in case struvite is involved, feed special diets.

That's the main thing I could find out about plugs and now I hope Rutherford is getting better

[jenluckenbach]

Thanks Barbara,

The flushing....that is what we are doing now with the fluids.

I may have to start to offer him wet food. I will see what the vet says.

[ChrisH]

Jen, how is Rutherford today?

Chris

[kimlovescats]

Thanks for the update, Jen ... you had me scared there for a moment! Hang in there, big sweet boy!!!

[jenluckenbach]

Rutherford is SUCH a good boy! He is still caged so he can be monitored. His pee spots are still small so I can't help but still worry. But he acts like he is feeling good. He eats. He is comfortable and relaxed and would like some more belly rubs if you have any to send.

[Barbara]

Here are some belly rubs for Rutherford. And Tigris sends his special headbumpies

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

More tummy rubs for Rutherford! Hope everything continues to go well!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
More tummy rubs for Rutherford! Hope everything continues to go well!

Ditto for me too.

[slick]

Jen, I'm so sorry I have not responded until now. Work this week has been crazy. I'm so glad to hear the Rutherford continues to heal and I hope that his pee biscuits are OK. It does concern me that they are still small, but I guess it takes a couple of days to kick in.

RUB RUB RUB RUB RUB RUB.......that comes all the way from Canada, Rutherford.

Hugs Jen.
slick xo