Idiopathic Interstitial Cystitis (Ranty)

[Jessika]

Some vets, like doctors, tend to only treat symptoms and not the cause, because its easier and you get "immediate" results. You are 100% NOT TO BLAME. You aren't a vet, how could you have known?! Thankfully it seems like your vet now is a little more knowledgeable, although even I'm not a doctor but after six UA's and no sign of bacteria or crystals every time, after the SECOND UA came back negative (occasionally you will have a mild UTI that just doesn't show on a UA so you will treat with antibiotics to see if it helps) I would investigate other causes. Six times with no bacteria/crystals... clearly something else was going on. Shame your previous vet didn't seem to want to dig any deeper to find other causes... but glad your current vet does!

[snakemama]

Charlie's urine has almost no blood in it today. (She pees in the sink so it's easy to monitor this) and she even climbed in my lap for a brief cuddle, which is rare enough to make me tear up when it happens. I'm going to drop by my vet's office with a homemade pumpkin pie on Monday. I'll also be sending a (polite) letter to her former vet.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear that Charlie is still having these health problems but I'm so glad to hear that you now have a vet that knows how to treat her condition. I bet that stress is causing this and hopefully she'll start feeling better soon. I'm glad to hear that her urine is almost blood free now.

[phesina]

Oh, dear Charlie, I am so sorry you had to go through all that excessive unnecessary treatment. We are so glad you have a good vet now. We are sending along our hopes and prayers that good health returns and you regain your trust for your Purrrson, who loves you so much and is so sorry for the mistakes that were made.

God bless!

[momcat]

Oh Snakemama, please don't blame yourself. When things weren't quite right you took Charlie to the vet, that's what caring and responsible pet purrents do. It sounds like your new vet knows what he's doing and doesn't want to make things worse for Charlie by stressing her out. I'm sure with time and patience Charlie will be an affectionate little love muffin again. Please give her some reassuring lovies from me?

[smokey the elder]

I had a foster cat with this. The vet proscribed glucosamine and chondroitin, which apparently has anti-inflammatory properties. Lacey did very well on it, and has not had a flareup in years. She's 16 years old.

[snakemama]

Thank you everyone. Charlie's urine is almost totally back to normal now (I never thought I'd be thankful to have a cat who peed in the sink!). I'm still sad to think of how much unneccessary stuff I put her through, but hopefully my good intentions will outweigh her trauma in the end. Last night she played with the "Da Bird" toy when it was out, even leaping to catch it a couple of times, so I think she's feeling pretty good.

Smokey, I googled the use of glucosamine and chondroitin in FIC cats after I saw your post and found a lot of good info that says it might help, so I'll be buying her some "hip action" treats tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!! Any excuse to give them more treats is a good one!