More UT problems for Gatsby

[Prairie Purrs]

I've got a pill shooter, and that's how I got tonight's pill down him. It was a struggle, though, because he really didn't want to swallow. Which of course meant he had the nasty taste in his mouth longer.

I'll have to pick up some Pill Pockets. I wonder whether amitriptyline can be compounded into a less bitter form?

[katladyd]

I've wondered that myself. Now, and this is just a rumor, I've heard that amitryptiline can be made into a liquid or gel that can be applied topically. You could ask you vet about that. I do know that, like anything else, Ming got used to it and now is fairly easy to pill. Wishing you luck.

[Medusa]

Penny, ask your vet for #3 gel caps. The meds that Pidge takes are really nasty, too, plus they're cut in half which makes it even worse. I put them all in one gel cap and it's easier for her to swallow, no nasty taste, the gel cap dissolves quickly and best of all, no more gagging and vomiting.

[Prairie Purrs]

Thank you both! I'll ask the vet about both compounding and the gel caps. There may not be anyplace nearby that does compounding, but I would imagine he can get me some gel caps.

Gatsby was a little bit woozy last night after taking the amitriptyline. I know from taking the stuff myself some years ago that it makes you feel a little funky at first, so I'm watching him closely for side effects. Right now he's relaxing in a sunbeam--something that's been rare lately, as we've had day after day of cold rain.

[Prairie Purrs]

It's still too early to tell whether the amitriptyline is going to prevent Gatsby's UT issues from flaring up again. His litterbox use is much closer to normal right now, but he's usually OK for a few days after a vet visit. If he's still going well by this time next week, that'll be good progress.

He's been more subdued than I'd like. Even for a cat, he's been spending a lot of time just lying around. I'm going to give him a couple more days to adjust to the medication, then call the vet if he doesn't perk up a bit. Maybe the dosage will need tweaking.

[Prairie Purrs]

Well, Gatsby's urine culture came up positive for staph. Fortunately, it looks like he's on the right antibiotic for that. And it may mean that he won't have to be on the amitriptyline long-term.

He's lounging in sunbeams this morning and seems to be feeling pretty good. He's more affectionate than he's been the past few days, which makes me very happy.

[Catty1]

YAAY! Lounging in sunbeams and being lovey are good things!

Hope you are back to your old self soon, baby boy!

[Medusa]

Oh I'm so glad! You definitely need a break!

[Prairie Purrs]

I had to rush Gatsby to an emergency vet last night when he suddenly became blocked. They had to cath him again. An X-ray didn't show any stones, and his urine looked relatively clear, so the cause is a mystery.

The emergency vet said that Gats has a very narrow urethra. This vet was really pushing surgery, which is confusing because my vet said that Gatsby wasn't a good candidate for PU surgery. I told the emergency vet that I didn't want to do any surgery until Gatsby's staph infection clears up, at least. I also need to get some more information, since I'm getting conflicting advice.

Poor Gatsby! He's been such a trooper, and there has to be a way to keep this from recurring. Maybe surgery is the answer, but I'm not going to do it based on the snap decison of an emergency vet.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear that he became blocked again. Maybe he keeps getting a mucous plug I think that's what it's called. Some cats get this and it'll also cause them to become blocked. Why did your vet say that he wasn't a good candidate for PU surgery? If he has a narrow urethra then it doesn't take much for him to become blocked. This is what my Storm had too. Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Prairie Purrs]

KAK, my regular vet told me that Gatsby's blockages (or swelling or spasms, whatever was happening) were taking place so far back along his urethra that the surgery wouldn't be effective.

Also, I'm not willing to go forward based solely on the ER vet's recommendation because I don't entirely trust the clinic. For one thing, they're outrageously overpriced. They insist on payment in advance of treatment, but because I'd been there before (with poor Hagrid), they allowed me to get by with paying half of the $ 1000 estimate. My vet charged me $ 225 last week for basically the same course of treatment. For another thing, the ER vet wanted to operate today based on a 30-minute exam last night. There were no problems getting the catheter in, so there wasn't any need to rush Gats into surgery. I think that a conscientious ER vet wouldn't try to take over another vet's patient in that manner.

They're not going to take out the catheter until tonight or tomorrow morning. My plan is to bring him home when I can, then find a vet who has plenty of experience with the surgery and schedule an appointment for a third opinion.

[Prairie Purrs]

The vet at the ER clinic just called and said that Gatsby is doing OK, but he isn't producing as much urine as she'd expect. So it's possible that my poor sweet boy may have kidney problems.

Please think some healing thoughts for my tuxie boy. I'm so worried about him.

[Moesha]

I sure feel bad for you and for dear Gatsby. I hope that you are able to figure something out quickly for both of your sakes. I completely agree with your decision regarding the ER vet and the surgery. Has his blood work showed kidney problems?

[Prairie Purrs]

I'm not entirely sure what blood work has been done up to this point. He's been to two other vets, and I thought at least one of them did blood work, but I can't recall for sure. The ER vet will run a blood panel if there's still cause for concern by morning.

I'm a train wreck. I really need for my Gatsby to be well and happy again.

[Killearn Kitties]

My girls have their paws firmly crossed and are sending all of their healing thoughts Gatsby's way.