Well, we got another sickie on our hands

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by Vermontcat
I am sure that Phred will have some good advice for you, I remember him mentioning giving tuna juice drained from a can of tuna to help hydrate Boots.
Maybe Tubby will like it too.

I know Tubby will like that, and I had already thought about that and thought about stopping on my way home to pick up a couple of cans. However, I also thought about....NOOOO!!! Please do not send the clam juice!!!!

Her last episode was Nov 2001 and had been good since then however with her being 16 this year and with failing kidneys I'll have to keep a close watch.

Aaahh...so you know exactly what I'm talking about.....16...failing kidneys....don't tell me Speckles is black too. Somehow, with a name like Speckles, I don't suspect she's all black.

Thanks, the info did help. Since Tubby has never had antibiotics, I'm hoping this one does the trick right away, and yes, I'm familiar with the "finish the whole prescription" thing from the many bladder infections I've had myself. The vet also mentioned that I should give the antibiotic a couple hours apart from when I give him his Pepcid so there's no chance of binding and rendering the antibiotic ineffectual.

[wolflady]

{{{Tubby}}}
I hope Tubby feels better soon!! It's just awful to see a furbaby having trouble and not being able to help. I felt helpless when Scooter had UTI and he exhibited the same symptoms: straining at the little box, crying, licking himself...only getting drops out here and there. It's definitely no fun! I sure hope the medicine kicks in fast and he gets better soon! Do keep us updated on his progress
**hugs**
Karen

[ChrisH]

Oh, no, poor sweet Tubby I`ll be praying that the antibiotics do their work quickly, the test results are good, and he is feeling much better soon. Please give him hugs and kisses from me and Ebby, and, yes, from Bobby too.

Chris

[JillLovesMinnie14yrs]

Let us know first thing tommorow morning his improvements , poor Samantha must be a wreck too Awwww Tubs you got everyone's paws walking on egg shells!!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by ChrisH
and, yes, from Bobby too.

It's funny, but I don't think Tubby is afraid of dogs at all. He has never really come in contact with dogs except two times now when he's been at the vet. The first time was 1 1/2 years ago now. I was holding Tubby on my lap waiting our turn with the vet when this bouncy dog came out of one of the rooms. He was on a leash, and Tubby was too. The dog came bouncing up to us and sniffed Tubby. I was holding tight, waiting for the big hiss and slap with the paw, but all Tubby did was stick his face out further so he could sniff back. I was so proud of him. The dog's owner then realized what his dog was doing and reined him in, but I would have liked him to stay there for a bit longer to see what happened next.

The second time was just this morning. While Tubby was in the back having blood drawn and such, they put another lady with a big dog (Bear, I heard her call him) in the room next to me. He was fussing away, crying and barking. Right when I was leaving with Tubby, Bear got out of his room and they were trying to drag him back in. He was blocking the hallway so I had to wait until they moved him and, of course Tubby wasn't feeling that good, but he just looked interested as they passed by and the dog reached up to sniff him.

So he appreciates Bobby's hugs and kisses too.

Thanks everybody. I have an appointment at the doc for myself tomorrow morning, then we're off and running with our normal Saturday errands, so I'll post an update as soon as I can tomorrow after I hear about the blood tests.

Tubby's not going to get much sleep tonight with all the hugs and smooches he'll be getting from everybody. Thanks!

[Miss Meow]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
Tubby's not going to get much sleep tonight with all the hugs and smooches he'll be getting from everybody. Thanks!

I hope you're still awake so you can give him six more from us and our bunch Get well soon Tubby, I hope the meds are starting to kick in so you feel a lot more comfortable.

[jenluckenbach]

Poor Tubby. I sure hope that you will be feeling better real soon.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

Poor Tubby!!!!!
One way I get my kitties to drink more water is I drain some tuna juice in a bowl and water it down a little and after they drink it I fill the tuna can back up with water and let it sit and give them the water with a little bit of the tuna in it too.... they gobble it up. Keep us posted on sweet little Tubby.

[Cataholic]

Oh, Tubby, you poor black kitty! Hugs and scritchies to you from us in Cincinnati. I hope those antibiotics kick in and do their magic! 24 hours in is usually the relief time! Good luck, and get some extra lovin'.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}
Cats and the herd.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Sorry we're late getting here

A few Serious Thoughts...

The "assume the position" but nothing happens...
Is often a sign of a Urinary Blockage, or "I want and Need to *pee* - but I can't!"
His bladder might be full, but his urinary tract is *blocked* with a kidney stone or a sand-like plug of tiny crystals...

If the Vet checked him (and not a Vet Tech) - s/he should have mentioned that she felt his bladder and it was empty. This check of his bladder *should* have been done - and from your description of his actions (EXACTLY what Boots did when he was plugged) - I would have thought the Vet would have detected a full bladder and Inserted a Catheter to 1) open the blockage and 2) Drain his bladder.

Think back to What the Vet did and said - DID s/he Check his bladder?????

I was told - Several Times - by two different Vets - that a Urinary Blockage *IS* a Fatal Condition if it is not treated properly within a few hours of the onset....
The bladder becomes full of urine, and the cat cannot pass the urine through the blockage. The bladder fills to capacity, and the Kidneys begin to shut down (stop producing urine) because there's no place to store it (kidney produces the urine, but it gets stored in the bladder).
(Cat is now WAY uncomfortable and frantically trying to *pee*)

It is the shut-down of the kidneys that starts the Really Serious situation - toxins that are supposed to be removed by the kidneys are not removed - and flood the cat's body with those toxins. And the kidneys, once they shut down, often do not recover and resume their filtration and waste removal duties.

Vet told ME - each time the catheter was removed - *I* had to WATCH Boots like a hawk...
Being certain that he actually Produced Urine (wet sand in the box) EACH & Every time he tried...
Straining to go and not producing the 'normal' amount of wet sand (urine) was to be considered a RED-Flag emergency - get him to a Vet within a few hours. He was operated on immediatley after his third plug-up and third catherization.

Cautions:
Don't over-water Tubby if he's not *peeing* and actually eliminating urine... He will want to stop drinking if he's internally "full" and cannot pee.

If he has takin IN water, but hasn't been able to successfully urinate since you saw the Vet this afternoon... *I'd* be worried...

With Boots - he didn't ever drink a "lot", but he'd pee once or twice a day. When he plugged up - I'd notice no "wet sand" for about 24 hours; and then Boots would start the *frantic* try to pee but nuffin's happnin routines...
Three times we rushed to the Vet - and all three times he had a "very full bladder"... Meaning we got there "just in time" !!

I know it's late - but at least ~
Start watching him - Closely!!
I'd suggest putting him "in jail" - locked in a bathroom With a clean litterbox. Check the box every few hours... "No Pee" by morning - I'd be on the phone to the Vet. (In Jail so you don't confuse "his' pee with somebody else's eliminations.) Also check the room - Boots would pee outside the box on occasion - I think he was trying to "tell Dad there's a problem"...

I hope your Vet DID check his bladder and found it comfortably empty - but I'd of thought s/he would have TOLD you this fact.

ALL Tybby's signs & symptoms indicate a Urinary Blockage... Please be SURE that was considered and checked! If in doubt - consider a visit to the ER in the morning - it will only take a minute for a trained Vet to palpate (feel) his bladder and tell you if it's empty, full, or TOO Full.

Again - sorry this is late... Been a busy day here.

GOOD LUCK to Tubby and you, *Mom*.

/s/ Phred

[AmberLee]

Good luck, sweet Tubby. Hope you are feeling much better soon. {{{snugglies}}}

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

[zippy-kat]

Dearest Tubster...

Thinkin' of ya and sendin' ya lots and lots of ear skritchies, nose skritchies, and anywhere-else-ya-like-'em skritches. Come on buddy, get better quickly --- we're all routin' for ya!!

much luv,
Zip, K'Cee, and Piper


~~~~~~~~~~
Here's hopin' for some good news on the vet's part!!

I spoke with my friend who had a kitkat with a similar problem...her boy ended up having crystals that blocked his urine. After a quick trip to the vet, bloodwork, and some new food, meds--everything was/is under control. Here's hopin' the answer is that simple for you guys!

I wouldn't hesitate to seek a second opinion if you don't agree w/ this vet's answer!

keepin' ya in my thoughts ~ Hopin' for the best!!
Please keep us uppie-dated!

[shais_mom]

Poor Tubby!
I certainly hope he starts to feel better soon.
The syringe I use is just like the one that you get shots with, without the syringe. I get them from work.
You will be in my thoughts, and prayers!
If it continues, I agree I wouldn't hesitate to hurry to the vet!

[mom of 6 cats]

poor Tubby!

please post another update when you know more.

[wolf_Q]

Oh poor Tubby!!

I hope you read Phred's post, it sounds like this could be very serious....I hope you are able to get him into a vet asap to check his bladder, or maybe even go to another vet for a second opinion! Please let us know how everything goes!