Bladder infection

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by emily_the_spoiled
if the antibiotic is Baytril they have a REALLY yucky taste and cats can smell it if you break the tablet.

Ok, so I know Tubby's weird but if I remember right, he had the Baytril (sounds familiar) and he was supposed to take 1/2 every day. The vet tech was really nice and cut the pills in 1/2 for me before she gave them to me. The first day I was so worried - and late for work - so I just shoved it down Tubby's throat. The next day when I had more time, I checked out the pills and let him sniff it. He actually licked it, then picked it up to eat it - and I was thinking "YES! He's going to eat it!!! YES!!!" - and then he spit it out. I was thinking maybe they had put some sort of flavoring or smell in it to make it easier to administer, but when he picked it up it must have been bitter so he spit it out again.

Anyway, I'm so glad this antibiotic seems to be working better and Ritzy is getting back to her old self. It will still be a few days before her litter box stops are completely back to normal, but it sounds like she'll be fine.

Even though it's been...what...a month now?...since Tubby's bladder infection, I still keep a close eye on him and make sure it doesn't come back. So far so good.

[slick]

So glad to hear Ritzy's on the mend. I used Baytril with Speckles and it worked OK. Keep it up Ritzy....we are all praying for a speedy recovery.

[tuxluvr]

This medicine is called "Orbax"....today is much better - she is peeing fast and a LOT MORE..so I'm hopeful this is going to do it. She is on them for another 7 days (one pill a day). I can tell she's feeling better because she's been following me all over the house, wanting to be in the same room,...she was just sticking close to the room where her litter pan sits, and she's also coming up and cuddling next to me at night, which is always a good sign that she's relaxed and comfy.

So far, so good - I'm hoping we can forego the additional tests, but will keep an eye.

I have learned, now on day 8 of "OPeration P", that my cat is much more regular than I am

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by tuxluvr
I have learned, now on day 8 of "OPeration P", that my cat is much more regular than I am

Yup, amazing what you learn about them when you follow them around non-stop.

[marysmerrycats]

I'm glad to hear she is doing better!

[tuxluvr]

My regular vet prescribed Orbax, it has been and OrDEAL to get them down our little miss, but success so far and continuing. She is really back to her old playful rambunctious self! Have about 4 more pills to administer. Last night we crushed it to a powder and put it over a teaspoon of her kibble - she made a face, but ate it all.

She is now back to her regular pee schedule and it's just such a treat to have the old Ritzy back.


I'm a little ticked at the emergency clinic though - they didn't do anything but give her a shot - no blood work, no culture, no nothing..didn't even take her temp according to the paperwork.......other than prescribe some meds - to the tune of $215.....my regular vet did more than that and only charged $50, which included the new meds. We used the emergency vet in tha past, and they at least ran some tests for a little less than the amount.

[jenluckenbach]

I am very glad that Ritzie is herself once again.


p.s. and if you don't mind I am going to steal your quote about the emergency clinic as I have my own "beef" about an emergency clinic

[Miss Meow]

I'm so glad Ritzy is back to her usual wonderful self (And I'm very sorry that the emergency clinic didn't do its job - any additional time with a UTI is too uncomfortable for words )

[Steffi N]

I'm glad to hear that Ritzy is better.

[tuxluvr]

Well, all seemed to be so well, then 3 days after she was showing so much progress, it was back to the litterbox for marathon sessions.

Friday, I took her to the vet and left her there for tests. They did a urine sample (which they said Ritzy "gave" they didn't have to go in and get it...GOOD KITTY)....

Here's the diagnosis. She has struvite crystals in her urine, A LOT apparently and her PH is neutral and should be more on the acidic side...also, the infection is still there, blood and all...and that the "ashy" crystals are probably continuing to aggravate the tissues inside the bladder

Xrays did NOT show stones, so we are still on antibiotics and have a diet change from Iams to HIll's Science Diet (gradual introduction and she seems to be taking to it well) to see if we can't get the "PH of her P" under control and eventually reduce the crystal formation...

Back to vets on the 28th for a recheck of the urine..

Meanwhile, appetite is good, otherwise is in pretty good shape - she's been a lot more cuddly lately....still playful but tires out a little faster than usual. Still straining in the litterbox, but apparently this is going to be a little longer recovery..

I'm a little frustrated that we couldn't get this diagnosis done earlier in the game, but better late than never....she's been a real trouper...I know she's uncomfortable but has taken her medicine very well.

So paws and fingers crossed that we have all the facts now and can move forward toward recovery...

In the meantime, taking donations of "Cat Fancy" magazine and Reader's Digest, or any other reading material to put in Ritzy's "powder room" so she can have something to pass the time while she "Pauses to pee"....

[tuxluvr]

OH, and thanks for all of your kind words, thoughts, and prayers They mean a lot

[jenluckenbach]

sorry to hear about the relapse and the lack of proper diagnosis the first time, but from personal experience, the new diet shoud do the trick!!! I had at least 4 different cats with 4 different stages of the UTI (one with bladder stones ) before I put the ENTIRE gang on Hill'sPrescription c/d food. Never even a hint of a problem since then.
p.s. I also use bottled water to cut down on the possibilities of minerals in the tap water.

[emily_the_spoiled]

I am sorry to hear about the mis-diagnosis and all the problems. At least now you have a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan. Hopefully the new diet will do the trick for you.

[Steffi N]

I'm sorry to hear that Ritzy is still not well, but now that she has been diagnosed properly and is on new food, I hope that everything is fine very soon. I'm glad that she is being a good girl and taking her medicine.

[Cataholic]

Poor Ms. Ritzy, and the ph/p problem!! I hope the new food brings quick results.