Irwin is home..I need some advice on possible euthanasia

[columbine]

Mixing extra water in with Irwin's food is an excellent idea! You can also try putting extra water bowls of different types in different locations. Smudge won't drink from a stainless bowl in the kitchen, but he enjoys drinking from a glass bowl in the living room. You could get him a cat drinking fountain, too - some cats prefer running water, as it's how their ancestors chose clean, safe drinking water in the wild. (I got one for Smudge, but he was scared of it. You just never know!)

You can also add Cosequin to his wet food. It's a chicken/fish flavored powder that soothes and protects the inside of the bladder and urethra, although it's primarily sold as a joint supplement!

Grain-free food is a good way to keep a cat's urinary pH high enough to avoid irritation. There are a lot of grain-free brands available nowadays, and many pet stores will give you samples to see if your cat will eat a specific food. Smudge enjoys Indigo Moon kibble (by Solid Gold), and gets his meds mixed into Soulistic canned food.

Love, Columbine

[smokey the elder]

I have a foster with the same condition. Stress can bring it on; she had been bouncing from foster home to foster home. I had her on Cosequin for awhile; now she's not on everything and thriving. But, every cat is different.

I think the best barometer for a cat's well-being is: how well is he/she eating? That has been a solid indicator for my cats; which have had a wide range of health issues. If Irwin is eating, drinking, and doesn't have major behavioral changes, I would say just manage his condition as best you can. Good luck and give him a scritch for me, please.

[JustineNYC]

I have a foster with the same condition. Stress can bring it on; she had been bouncing from foster home to foster home. I had her on Cosequin for awhile; now she's not on everything and thriving. But, every cat is different.

I think the best barometer for a cat's well-being is: how well is he/she eating? That has been a solid indicator for my cats; which have had a wide range of health issues. If Irwin is eating, drinking, and doesn't have major behavioral changes, I would say just manage his condition as best you can. Good luck and give him a scritch for me, please.

Actually I posted previously he NEVER DRINKS, but I have great news!!! I took the vets advice and went to Petco and got a kitty fountain and HE DRANK!!

Im totally shocked.

And I agree with the appetite thing, his appetite is great, he would eat all day if I let him. He also still plays with his little furry mice.


I also try and pay attention to behavioral things like, does he get up and sit on the window ledge to watch the birds anymore? Which he does.


He's still in and out of the litter, but he had surgery 3 days ago, so I want to wait and see if it gets better. I will pick up the Cosequin though. The dr is going to call me for an update tomorrow, so we'll see what she says.

Here he is this afternoon, he doesn't look terribly uncomfortable..

[Catty1]

I dunno...looks pretty tense to me!



What a gorgeous boy. I am so happy to hear he is doing so well - and DRINKING WATER! This all bodes very well.

[krazyaboutkatz]

He looks so happy and content. I'm so glad to hear that he's drinking too. Hopefully he'll continue to do well.

[JustineNYC]

I wanted to update that I spoke with his doctor this morning. She said the blood in his urine and the having the urge to pee is normal right now until his inflammation goes away, his surgery was not even a week ago.

I asked her about the thickening of the bladder wall and if she thinks its inhumane to have him live like this and she said no, we just have to find a way to manage it.

She is open to trying the Elavil or Clomicalm again, but wants to wait til he is healed so we can really see if he is going to have the urge to pee once his bladder heals.

She is real happy the fountain worked and he is drinking water too.

Anyway, I wanted to thank everyone for their input! I knew you guys would understand my situation and concern! Thanks a bunch!