Question. Please read. (update: Doesn't seem good...)

[Catty1]

Is he drinking and eating?

If he is not drinking a lot, a much less expensive thing might be for the vet to give him sub-q fluids to fill his bladder quickly, and see how he does then. See what your vet says.

I am sure they must have known he could pee okay before they sent him home?

Also - TELL them how scared you are and that you don't have a ton of money. If the one vet is nice, I am sure something can be worked out.


HUGS

[slleipnir]

The vet said he WAS peeing fine...I saw him have a little to drink atleast. He was eatting last night. I think I would like the vet to check just to be sure..

[sandragonfly]

sweetie, I'm praying hard and harder!

I feel bad not having this experience with one of my cats so I don't really have much advices to share. I know one person who's really expert at this problem, who PMed me when I thought one of my cats had crystals...I'll have to find her right username! shoot, I forgot.

I think, well if I were you, by aly's description and experiences in basic vet's offices before - if nothing else more than blockages - a surgery probably would be better, especially less painful (and less expenisve) for your dear butter-boy going through this over again and again.

don't feel bad making a decision, I trust you love this boy with all your heart and I know you will find out the best for him soon! just give yourself some more time thinking on this while butter is being taken care of.

edit ~ curious.. do you feed butter RAW or what food?

[slleipnir]

I took him out again, and the vet had a quick look. He said his bladder doesn't feel big or hard or anything which is good. But he did an x-ray or something and there is a lot of "grit" in there He said if he doesn't pee by tomorrow then it's a problem...and of couse, the vet is closed tomorrow so that will be another $100 just for the visit. He said they will have to do it all over again, and if it comes back yet again, then there is the surgery. I told him I really can't afford that. He just look sorta sympathetic. I really don't want to go through all this just to have to put him to sleep in the end. I know that's a mean thought, but...

[Glacier]

What do I do if he is blocked again? Is it really fair to him to give him this surgery? What if it's too expensive? Will it still come back? I honestly don't know what I'll do if it costs too much.

(edit2) What I mean is, if the surgery helps it go away for good, then he's gonna need that, because ifI get him cathetered again and it just comes back in a day, then I definetly can't help him...so I guess I only have the money for one more thing...should I try the catheter again, and hope, or should I get the surgery and hopefully be done with it? But is that really fair/humane? Plus if he has a heart problem then that's hard to do...Why me? I can't handle this

Unfortunately, I have tons of experience with this problem. My vet recommends the surgery after the third blockage. He told me that 30% of all male cats will block at some point in their lives. Of those cats, it happens to 10% more than once and about 5% of them will eventually need a PU surgery.

Pete blocked five times in four months. By the time I sent him for the surgery, he was blocking every 36 hours. My vet flat out told me, "you put him on a plane tonight, or bring him back tomorrow tonight and I"ll end this for both of you." My vet can't do the surgery and Pete had to travel to Saskatoon where it was done at the UofS vet school clinic.

The surgery does not solve the underlying problem. Whatever is causing the blockage will still be there. It does solve the lifethreatening problem though. A blockage is painful and can be fatal in a hurry. The surgery stops that entirely.

However, it does leave the cat more vunerable to infections. Pete gets on average 2 UTI infections a year. As he gets older, they seem to get less frequent. Twicket had the same surgery and lived to be almost 15. He had one infection in the 2 years I had him. Pete still has litterbox issues. He associates it with pain so sometimes he pees in the wrong spots(like the laundry basket!) He also still eats a special diet(Royal Canin Urinary formula).

If you have a teaching hospital or a vet school near you, contact them about doing the procedure. Pete got truly exceptional care and the bill was about half of what it would have been at a private clinic. It was still very expensive, but at least is wasn't as pricey as it could have been.

I was very nervous about doing the surgery, but now I wouldn't hesitate. If my other boys develop the same problems, they are off to the surgeon! Pete came home happy, affectionate and his life expectancy is the same as any other indoor cat now. Worth every dime of the bill and the interest Visa charged me!

I hope you don't have to deal with any of that though and that Butter is back to health very soon!

[ramanth]

Poor Butter.

I'm sorry he's not feeling well.

[Catty1]

Is there a vet hospital anywhere? You are in the Maritimes, right?

Not to nit-pick - but did they make sure poor Butter was grit-free the first time they sent him home?

Although - his bladder isn't enlarged or hard...so something is getting thru.

Try this - get some good cranberry capsules. Put about 1/5 of the powder in one of them in wet food, yogurt, pumpkin, whatever he might eat. That will make the urine more acidic and will help.

Also, get more water into him. Add warm water to his wet food...having anough bladder pressure might be enough to get the rest of the grit out. The pH food for urine will do this also, help dissolve stuff, and fairly quickly.

Please try to not panic (I know), and get lots of water into Butter.

Poor baby Butter!

[slleipnir]

Unfortunately, I have tons of experience with this problem. My vet recommends the surgery after the third blockage. He told me that 30% of all male cats will block at some point in their lives. Of those cats, it happens to 10% more than once and about 5% of them will eventually need a PU surgery.

Pete blocked five times in four months. By the time I sent him for the surgery, he was blocking every 36 hours. My vet flat out told me, "you put him on a plane tonight, or bring him back tomorrow tonight and I"ll end this for both of you." My vet can't do the surgery and Pete had to travel to Saskatoon where it was done at the UofS vet school clinic.

The surgery does not solve the underlying problem. Whatever is causing the blockage will still be there. It does solve the lifethreatening problem though. A blockage is painful and can be fatal in a hurry. The surgery stops that entirely.

However, it does leave the cat more vunerable to infections. Pete gets on average 2 UTI infections a year. As he gets older, they seem to get less frequent. Twicket had the same surgery and lived to be almost 15. He had one infection in the 2 years I had him. Pete still has litterbox issues. He associates it with pain so sometimes he pees in the wrong spots(like the laundry basket!) He also still eats a special diet(Royal Canin Urinary formula).

If you have a teaching hospital or a vet school near you, contact them about doing the procedure. Pete got truly exceptional care and the bill was about half of what it would have been at a private clinic. It was still very expensive, but at least is wasn't as pricey as it could have been.

I was very nervous about doing the surgery, but now I wouldn't hesitate. If my other boys develop the same problems, they are off to the surgeon! Pete came home happy, affectionate and his life expectancy is the same as any other indoor cat now. Worth every dime of the bill and the interest Visa charged me!

I hope you don't have to deal with any of that though and that Butter is back to health very soon!

The problem is, I cannot afford to do it again, THEN do the surgery. It's way to much money.

We have a very good vet collage here, which is where I took him. A lot of people come from different places to come to our vet collage.

[Catty1]

I am just wondering if it is possible that they didn't do everything right the FIRST time - like making sure he was peeing ok before being sent home - that might give you leverage on the price?

I'm not saying be a pain....just get the facts.

HUGS

[sandragonfly]

quoted by slleipnir
I know that's a mean thought but..
.. but will you try out IMOM.org first before you end his life? just in case, since you would have time preparing for a surgery if possible, I'm sure they, the fundraisers can help you with billings. they've helped me with half of a couple thousands before.

ah, cranberry caspules was part what an expert PMed me about - I've heard good results about them and you should try 'em out.

what I don't understand here, did the vet cleared butter's tummy all way before he was sent back home? sometimes vet is a rip-off that way.

[Catty1]

www.carecredit.com


THEY HAVE IT IN CANADA! LOOK INTO IT!

[slleipnir]

I was talking to my dad.

He said it doesn't make sense to keep paying 700 everyday for nothing. Then have a surgery which will cost like what, $2000? I mean if it costs 700 just to stick a tube in him, I can't imagen what the surgery will be. So I guess I will try this one more time, my dad said he could pay for half of it, but then I should not put anymore into it.

Has anyones cat actually had the surgery? how much did it cost compaired to being catertized?

What are the chances the second time being caterized will actually work? Especially when he never actually got over the first one? I mean, he was home for one day and already couldn't pee.

I'm really frightened. I honestly don't think I can have him PTS, but I honestly don't think the money thing is going to work. He might also need heart surgery...and that/s after a $200 ultrasound. I know you all think I should do that payment thing, but I have xmas coming up and 3 other pets with a lot of high payments for them. I honestly do not think I can pay for this. I'm sorry if I let you all down, but I don't know what to do. I can't stop crying thinking of it. He hasn't pee'd all day so if there is no pee by morning I'll have to take him in.

[Cinder & Smoke]

The problem is, I cannot afford to do it again,
THEN do the surgery.

We have a very good vet collage here, which is where I took him.

Glacier gave you a good rundown on what to expect.

You need to be asking questions (Cost?, Success Rate?, etc) of the VETS at the College - not us!

The chances of the Catheterization "fixing" the problem permanently are very slim ...
the OPERATION is a more permanent "fix".

ASK if they can do the Operation tomorrow - they can relieve the urine buildup AND
make the "fix" at the same time.

COST?
The operation is a common one - not super expensive in most hospitals ...
I paid under $1,000 for Boots when he was re-plumbed.

I would NOT do just another Catheterization without the operation.

Good Luck to Butter - but don't *wait* to see what happens or try some
"remedy" ...
he's probably blocked again (not uncommon) and NEEDS the Operation quickly.

/s/ Phred

[kimlovescats]

You are in a very difficult situation, and you need to do what feels right in your own mind and heart. We all have to draw a line at times in our lives between what we desire and what is actually reasonable or practical!!! I support you in whatever you decide, and pray that you can find comfort in your choice! The only thing I would be most concerned with is letting it go on and Butter having to be in severe discomfort. I know it has to be a very sad time for you!

Hugs,
Kim

[wolf_Q]

It sounds to me like getting the surgery would be a better idea then just having them do what they did before (which it sounds like it didn't really even work well). But I honestly do not know much about these problems with cats. I really hope you are able to find a solution for Butter!