More UT problems for Gatsby

[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.