More UT problems for Gatsby

**Catty1** · 10-22-2009, 06:34 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, 07:57 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, 08:51 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, 12:45 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, 08:49 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, 01:05 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.

**Medusa** · 10-23-2009, 02:12 PM

You're right, this can't be happening. It just can't be. We'll keep the prayers going for this sweet boy, Penny, and you, too, my girl.

**Prairie Purrs** · 10-23-2009, 02:45 PM

Thank you, Mary. I'm trying so hard to make the right decisions, but I'm having a lot of trouble keeping my head clear at the moment. I'm just worried sick.

**Pinot's Mom** · 10-23-2009, 03:21 PM

I'm so sorry - I can't even imagine how this makes you feel. I just can't.

Prayers they can solve this and make poor Gatsby feel better. (((hugs)))

**pomtzu** · 10-23-2009, 03:32 PM

Penny - I'm so sorry that you and Gatsby are going thru so much.

Fingers and paws crossed that the whitecoats can fix him up, and that this ongoing problem will be a thing of the past.

I just lit a candle for him.

**Prairie Purrs** · 10-23-2009, 05:47 PM

Thank you, Pinot's Mom and Ellie. It's been a hard day for me. And a harder one for poor Gatsby, of course.

The two vets talked, and the ER vet says they're pretty much on the same page. Haven't talked with my regular vet yet. Gatsby is on an antispasmodic med in addition to antibiotics and will stay hospitalized over the weekend. They hope to have the results of a urine culture Monday to see whether staph is still a problem.

I'll wait to find out what my regular vet has to say before I decide whether to set up an appointment at the university. If my vet thinks there's some chance that it could work, I'm inclined to go ahead with the surgery without a third opinion. We're pretty much out of other options.

**Moesha** · 10-23-2009, 06:16 PM

Oh dear. How horrible for you and Gatsby!! I'm following this thread closely. Please let us know as soon as you hear anything. Good thoughts being sent your way!

**katladyd** · 10-23-2009, 10:34 PM

Most of the time, in the hard core cases, the surgery does work. Just be warned, they can get more infections once they have the surgery. The good news is the infections will not cause any blockages after the surgery. At least that is what my vet says. I'm sending prayers your way. I know how you are feeling right now and it is not good.

**krazyaboutkatz** · 10-24-2009, 01:57 AM

I'm so sorry to hear that it seems that surgery is his only option. I do hope that it'll help him. When Storm had to have his, the ER vet told me to make sure to have it performed by a board certified surgeon because he was a difficult case. She gave me 3 different locations to choose from and luckily the closest one to me had an opening the next morning. I know that without the surgery that Storm would've also kept becoming blocked.

Storm's never become blocked since his surgery but one time he was straining to pee because I later found out that Sunny was attacking him and trying to become the alpha cat. He was put on some meds and later things calmed down in my household. Since he's been on a grain free diet, he hasn't had any more crystals or UTI's. I do make sure that he always eats plenty of canned food mixed with some extra water though.

I hope that Gatsby's problems will soon be a thing of the past and if he has surgery that it'll go well and keep him from becoming blocked ever again. Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way. Please take care. (((HUGS)))