Could use some support/help with what's to become of Levi

[barncat]

I have not had this done, but a dear friend had to have one of her males that continued to get blocked a surgery that essentially "replumbed" his system. To the casual eye he would now appear female, but it did end the blockages because the openings are bigger. Peeing issues ended and it was much less expensive than repeated hospitalizations. He continues to be on special food, but it did work and it might be worth discussing with your vet to see if it is feasible.

Barncats can live healthy happy lives, BUT (and it is a big BUT) if he is joining an existing colony of cats, care should be taken in introducing him.

You might want to check out the Cats International website... Betsy Lipscomb is the founder and she has done lots of good work with cats with potty issues...

Good luck to you and Levi....

(Is there any way he could become a cat on an enclosed porch or run?)

[Sevaede]

I have not had this done, but a dear friend had to have one of her males that continued to get blocked a surgery that essentially "replumbed" his system. To the casual eye he would now appear female, but it did end the blockages because the openings are bigger. Peeing issues ended and it was much less expensive than repeated hospitalizations. He continues to be on special food, but it did work and it might be worth discussing with your vet to see if it is feasible.

Barncats can live healthy happy lives, BUT (and it is a big BUT) if he is joining an existing colony of cats, care should be taken in introducing him.

You might want to check out the Cats International website... Betsy Lipscomb is the founder and she has done lots of good work with cats with potty issues...

Good luck to you and Levi....

(Is there any way he could become a cat on an enclosed porch or run?)

First off, I am very sorry. (I really hope this doesn't come off as "fake") The only problems that my cats have had as far as pottying was when we were moving.

Without trying to sounds all Know-It-All, could his peeing be a territory/unneutered thing? Soni peed or sprayed, rather, on several beds before we got him neutered. Right now, I am not entirely sure where my Comprehensive Health Care for Cats book is but I will look for it and read as much as I can. Also, will do some internet searching too!

I would have to ask that too, because it sounds like a GREAT idea considering the alternatives, could he become a semi-outside cat? If you have an enclosed porch, like the ones here in Louisiana, that seems like it would be awesome. Plus, you could take him in if anything like a storm came along or whatnot.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear that Levi is having peeing problems. Have you tried changing his diet at all? If he is prone to getting crystals then he should be on a prescription food that will help prevent them. My Storm kept becoming blocked so he had to have the PU surgery which now makes him pee like a female. He'll still get crystals unless I feed him a special diet. I'm feeding him and all of my cats Royal Canin Urinary S/O formula in both wet and dry and they all love it. The wet is also supposed to help cats that have idiopathic FLUTD. Here's the link to it Royal Canin Urinary S/O Diet. I sure hope that you'll be able to find a solution for Levi so that you won't have to rehome him. Good luck.

[tricollie4me]

Thanks for the feedback I keep hoping I'll find the right "mix" of therapies/meds/etc. to keep Levi feeling well, so your thoughts are really helpful.

Levi was neutered as a young kitten -- we adopted him at 4 months of age along with his sister and they'd both been previously altered. He didn't show any urinary difficulty for the first four months we had him, and initially his problems appeared more behavioral than medical (his first urine sample was clean, no blood, no crystals) so we did the Feliway spray & diffuser/more litterboxes/etc. route. However, behavioral remedies didn't solve his urinary problems and vet follow-up showed blood and crystals in the next go-round. He's been on meds continuously since October. Sometimes he'll go a month without incident and we'll think everything is finally going well, then he'll have a flare of symptoms and we'll have peeing issues daily.

I'm going to be calling our vet today to discuss having x-rays done and also find out about getting the Royal Canin suggested above. We already feed our cats Royal Canin Indoors, so I'm very interested in selecting a type that will more directly influence Levi's urinary symptoms. I feel very strongly about doing everything possible to keep Levi in our home, it's where he belongs - - we love him like mad. He's the glue for our other pets -- he and Charity, his sister, are bonded, of course, and he and Bonnie are bedmates (he's the only one Bonnie will cuddle with), and he and Bijou, our collie, are playmates (they tussle and tumble and groom and frolic like two little pups). He's just an outstanding cat in every sense of the word...except for this one very difficult physical problem.

Thanks again -- will post back when we get x-ray results.

**Could you please let me know if the Royal Canin Urinary formula is prescription only? Thx.

[catmandu]

We are sorry that such a Wonderful Cat is having such Terrible Health Issues.
All we can offer is Our Prayers that the White Coats can help your Dear Levi.

[Mad Mags Moo]

Sorry to hear about poor Levi, my wee cat Bubble (female) gets recurring cystitis and when we finally got a pee sample from her....boy that was a challenge! It showed she had crystals forming,blood and some other things that shouldn't be there. Given injections of antibiotics, steriods and anti inflammatories as she does not do tablets but doesn't mind being prodded and injected by the vet!!!!!! That seems to help and also on Royal Canin SO - only available on prescription in the UK- not sure about the US? When she gets another episode she gets really antsy and vocal and sprays everywhere not great but we cope as she is such a sweetie! I hope you can find something to help Levi.....thinking of you.