More UT problems for Gatsby

**Killearn Kitties** · 10-22-2009, 06:05 PM

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

**Catty1** · 10-22-2009, 07:34 PM

Is the amitryptiline not helping? Poor Gatsby! Maybe there is another med they can try?

Hugs to Gatsby, and that the riddle is solved soon.

**Medusa** · 10-22-2009, 08:57 PM

I really feel bad about this, Penny. This roller coaster ride is maddening for you, I know. I wish something would work!

**Prairie Purrs** · 10-22-2009, 09:51 PM

The amitriptyline isn't helping so far, but he's only been taking it for a week. Antidepressant drugs take time to have an effect in people, so perhaps it's the same for cats.

Thank you all for your good wishes. Things have been pretty bad around here for awhile, and your kindness helps me get by.

**krazyaboutkatz** · 10-23-2009, 01:45 AM

I'm sorry to hear that he isn't producing the amount of urine that he sould be.

I think you're very smart to get another opinion and hopefully he doesn't have kidney problems.

Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

**Prairie Purrs** · 10-23-2009, 09:49 AM

Gatsby's urine production is much better this morning, thank goodness. They'll remove the catheter this morning, and maybe he'll be able to come home this evening. I just hope he can stay unblocked until the staph clears up, and in the meantime I'll get another opinion about surgery.

**Prairie Purrs** · 10-23-2009, 02:05 PM

They removed the catheter and Gatsby immediately started straining again. So the catheter is back in.

The ER vet wants to do surgery now, but he's not really addressing my regular vet's concerns. The ER vet just keeps saying that when cats block multiple times, they do surgery. It usually works, but sometimes it doesn't.

My regular vet's office is going to set up an appointment at a university vet clinic that's clear across the state from where Gatsby is right now. So I'm trying to reach the ER vet to find out when Gatsby would be able to make that trip.

If surgery is his best option, he'll have the surgery, even if I have to sell my car to pay for it. But I don't want to put him through it if there's no realistic chance it'll keep him from blocking. And nobody's talking about what happens if the surgery doesn't work, which really scares me.

ETA: The ER vet is going to talk to my vet directly, and if my vet's convinced that surgery is reasonably likely to help, we'll probably go ahead and do it. If my vet still has reservations, I'll have a specialist at the university look him over.

If surgery can't prevent him from reblocking, there's a good chance I'll lose him because they haven't been able to find medication that works at all.

This can't be happening. Not my Gatsby too.

**columbine** · 11-18-2009, 07:29 PM

I may have missed this, but has your vet mentioned Cosequin? It's primarily a joint supplement, but it also strengthens the GAG (lining) layer of the urinary tract so that germs and crystals can't damage it so easily. Smudge doesn't particularly like it, but when it's mashed into a quarter can of Soulistic grain-free food (along with his antihistamine, skin/coat supplement, extra fiber, and extra water) he gobbles it right up.

Love, Columbine