Idiopathic nonobstructive FLUTD

[Catlady711]

The internet can be full of misinformation , however at times it is rich with helpful information from certified sources.

About Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) there is a good article by the Cornell Feline Heath Center and about the meds Prazosin and Meloxicam can be found on the Merck Veterinary Manual online.

Just always remember, that looking up further information about your pet online can sometimes shed a little more light on something your vet has told you about, it should NOT be a substitute for seeing your vet. Your pet's doctor went to school for YEARS to be proficient at diagnosing similar diseases, knows the latest information available, has equipment available to help in tricky diagnosis, and has YEARS of hands on experience that you can never get from a webpage. For all pet questions, your vet is only a simple phone call away.

Just because you read it online doesn't always mean it's the best choice of treatment for YOUR pet, nor does it mean that what you read about is exactly what YOUR pet has. (for example the lady who's 'breeder' gave her papers that said "all puppies must have an injection of Proheart6 for DISTEMPER!" Huh?? Proheart6 was for heartworm NOT distemper! )


Bringing concerns to your vet's attention for clarification or reassurance is fine, but either trust his/her medical judgement about your pet's situation, or seek another vet you DO trust.

[columbine]

The pill pockets worked! I had a scare when he managed to find the tiny crumb of tramadol and barf it up the first time... but boy, it sure agrees with him now! Every time I go in the kitchen, he sits patiently by his dish waiting for his "magic treat." I think that when he comes off this stuff, it's going to have to be slo-o-o-ow... But I've never seen him so perky and carefree. Ouchies all gone, spookies all gone - and now I know about Pill Pockets! To all appearances, the nightmare is over.

Catlady711, I'm not sure to whom you're replying, as I agree entirely.

Love, Columbine

[columbine]

After all that - including Smudge swearing off ALL medicine, including the tuna-flavored stuff from the $compounding pharmacy, and ALL wet food just in case it had medicine in it - it turned out he didn't have FLUTD at all. A urine sample turned up MAGNESIUM CRYSTALS, and all he needed was new food! And he LIKES THE FOOD! (Hill's C/D)

Unfortunately, it hasn't got much fiber in it. His intestines slowed and eventually stopped. Luckily, I've been cleaning his box daily just to monitor him, and I caught it right away. He likes Pounce anti-hairball treats, and he'll eat Petromalt if I mash it up with good ol' tuna fish. And lately he'll at least taste canned food (with Cosequin vitamins mashed in - shhhh, don't tell!) if I add a bit of cod liver oil.

He's also a very itchy little cat, who constantly has trouble with eczema (and the mats occasioned by skin flakes tangling in his long, fine fur) so I've ordered some Hugs and Kisses treats - if he likes them, I'll let you all know! Or if he doesn't, likewise. But anything that will stop his itching is good news, if he'll eat it.

[Catty1]

Maybe a bit of Omega-3 oil? Vet's offices have it.

Oscar is on Feliway for life...and I FINALLY have a way to get him two good doses a day!

I bought a cheap ($1) totally stretchy cat collar. Then I took a bit of an old bra - just a tiny square with some of the fuzzy stuff on it - and cut a slit in it and slipped it over the collar.

Two little wet squirts of Feliway on the cloth bit - fuzzy edge soaks it up nicely - and put on the collar, and he is set!

REALLY funny in the morning....Collar, then brekkie. Then he goes to his cat bed with a gooofy happy face, with a front leg and paw hanging out.
He reaches up his paw to me, along with his little head tosses and chirps!

And NO more tufts of fur all over the rug!

SORRY to hijack this - but Oscar had the same darn thing. I am SOO glad the food cleared it up! Was it from the same vet?

If his skin is from some stress, maybe the Feliway collar would work.

Happy to hear Smudge is better!

[Freedom]

The cod liver oil you are giving him should help with the skin issues. And Petromalt comes in a fish flavor as well as the traditional malt flavor. Two of my cats detest the malt, but willingly take the fish one right from the tube. It costs more than the malt flavor, but if it keeps him healthy and out of the vets, a small price.

Glad to hear things are getting better!

[Catty1]

I've heard sprinkling some Metamucil on wet food increases fiber too!

[columbine]

Maybe a bit of Omega-3 oil? Vet's offices have it.
...
SORRY to hijack this - but Oscar had the same darn thing. I am SOO glad the food cleared it up! Was it from the same vet?

He does get 3V Caps - oops, I mean Kitty Treat squirted over his crunchies twice a day. And yes, his new food (Hill's c/d, both dry and canned) is from the same vet.

Today he chowed down on an unBastly mess of canned c/d (seafood flavor), cod liver oil, Cosequin (a vitamin), canned tuna, Petromalt, and bonito flakes to the point where he didn't even want a Pounce treat - and then had the nerve to pester me for a taste of my spicy Italian sausage! (Granted, I slow-baked it, so the whole house smelled like sausage - he was wandering all over wondering where he might ambush that sneaky Italian wild boar...) Never let it be said that I can't say no to my cat...

And yes, he's had some progress some time during the night - granted, in the wrong place, but that's happened before when he was straining. He really does his best to use his box unless he just plain can't. He's on the mend!

The dryness is just eczema - he's always had it (and boy, does it nucleate mats!) So hopefully YET ANOTHER treat will clear it up.

Love, Columbine