More UT problems for Gatsby

[Prairie Purrs]

Gatsby is back at the vet's with another near-blockage of his urinary tract. My hopes for him to avoid needing surgery are fading, because if he blocks completely it'll be the third time in 2 1/2 months.

I've asked the vet to have a culture done this time, to try to find out what it is that keeps coming back.

I'm so sad and discouraged. Gatsby is my office buddy, and it's hard to focus on work without him curled up and purring nearby. I really need for him to get better.

[Catty1]

Prayers for Gatsby!

And for you, too...it's been a sad time for you and your furbabies. Prayers that the vet finds out the cause and that it is treatable.

[Medusa]

Oh dear, when it rains....We'll send up prayers right now that Gatsby will heal quickly, easily and in peace and will not need surgery. You've had enough sadness; time now to have some peace. (((HUGS)))

[Prairie Purrs]

Thank you for the prayers. Poor Gats has had a difficult couple of months.

He'll be staying at least overnight at the vet's because they had to insert a catheter. I was hoping they wouldn't have to do that, but I'm not surprised. If they try to send him home again without making an effort to figure out why this keeps repeating, I'm not going to be happy.

[katladyd]

They really have no idea why about 60% of cats get blockages. They tried diet, fluids, many things to help Ming, my meezer. He used to block constantly but I heard that cats that get the operation have severe infections the rest of their lives and my vet doesn't like to go that far. We put Ming on amitryptiline a year ago and he hasn't had a single blockage or infection since then. They don't know why it works, but it does on most cats. Ask you vet about it. It only costs me $10 for 100 pills from Pet Meds.

[Prairie Purrs]

Amitryptiline works? That's really interesting--you wouldn't expect an antidepressant to prevent urinary tract blockages. I'll definitely ask about it. Thank you!

[katladyd]

Look it up online: amitryptiline and FLUTD in cats. It doesn't always work, but in the hard core cases, it usually does.

[Pinot's Mom]

I'm so sorry for poor Gatsby! You know, I had not heard of blockages until I got on this site, so I'm no help! I just hope they can get things cleared up quickly - catheters are NO FUN!! Paws crossed and prayers sent - keep us updated.

[Randi]

Our sympathy to dear Gatsby. Fister knows what it's like to be blocked, he had the problem years ago. Every two or three months he would block up, so we made the decision to have him operated. Since then, he's been fine.

Good luck!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Yes, many vets like to avoid doing surgery because of certain side effects like UTI's or loss of bladder control.

Storm blocked 2 times and the second time they couldn't even get a catheter in him so he had to have the PU surgery. He had some how built up some scar tissue and his surgeon said that the more times a cat is catheterized then the more likely that they'll build up scar tissue and have more problems. I also had a board certified surgeon perform his surgery because it was more difficult than most PU surgerys. This is what the ER told me to do.

After surgery he did have some issues with UTI's but now he's been fine ever since he's been on a grain free diet which is Innova Evo. He also gets plenty of canned food mixed with water every day to help keep him hydrated.

The surgeon also told me that it was only a matter of time before Storm would become blocked because he has a very small urethra opening. I think that's what it's called. Now he's able to make big pee biscuits in the litter box. I hope that your vet will be able to help Gatsby. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

[Prairie Purrs]

Gatsby's doing pretty well today. He was certainly happy to see me and get some scritches behind the ears. They'll take the catheter out today, and hopefully he'll be able to come home tomorrow.

It appears that he didn't have an actual blockage, and there weren't any problems inserting the catheter. It seems that he may be having spasms or swelling or something that cuts off the urine flow. The vet thinks that the problem is pretty far back along the urethra and that the regular PU surgery wouldn't really help. I asked about amitryptiline, and the vet said that might be an option.

Thank you all for your good wishes and suggestions. My tuxie boy and I appreciate it!

[katladyd]

Happy to help. Amitryptiline relaxes any spasms or bladder irritations, as they thought that was part of Ming's problem, along with crystals. I still don't know why it works, but $10 every 3 months is a small price to pay for a healthy cat.

[Prairie Purrs]

Gatsby is back home. He's taking Zeniquin and amitriptyline. I really hope that'll help him avoid recurring episodes.

I think he's a little overexcited at being home, because he keeps making trips to the litter box. The first trip resulted in a decent sized "biscuit," and he can't possibly have anything left in his bladder by now, so I think he's just having a bit of an obsessive-compulsive spell. I've noticed recently that some of his litter box trips seem to be out of habit--for example, he'll head for the litter box immediately after eating or drinking even the slightest amount. The amitriptyline may help with that.

[Prairie Purrs]

Well, poor Gatsby (who is normally very little trouble to pill) hates taking the amitriptyline. I guess the taste is pretty horrible. katladyd, how do you get Ming to take the stuff?

[katladyd]

It is VERY bitter! I wrap it in a small piece of a Pill Pocket, they sell them at Pet Smart. After a year, Ming just opens his mouth and takes the pill without much trouble. It takes two of us, but it is done without much trouble. The first few weeks, until I discovered the Pill Pocket trick, was very hard. Ming won't eat the pill in the Pill Pocket on his own, the pills are that bitter, but you can ask you vet for a pill popper to shoot the pill down his throat, or just get behind him, lift his head up a little, and place the pill at the very back of his throat. He should then swallow as a reflex. Sometimes I have to almost shove the pill down his throat with my finger. As long as you are doing this from behing the cat, you can't be bitten. Your vet tech can show you how to do this.