Pet (cat) Healthcare (UTI) Question, timely advice appreciated

Factual Questions
1

My 5 and a half year old fixed dsh male cat has what I believe to be a urinary tract infection. I’m taking him to the vet first thing in the morning, but I am wondering… is there anything I can do for him at home tonight to ease his discomfort?

He’s had other chronic maladies his entire life. Poor eyesight and depth perception. Poor balance and coordination. History of severe epileptic siezures. But this is his first urinary issue.

He was found half dead, anaemic, dehydrated and starving in a snowy parking lot in Ohio when he was a few weeks old. I think it is safe to say that he also may have survived an infection/fever of some kind, aquired in his traumatic first weeks of life.

I was a staff member of the veterinary hospital at OSU at the time, and I adopted him out of their “good samaritan” program, providing free veterinary services for injured animals who are brought in by people who cannot or do not pay, for whatever reasons.

That being said, Dexter (aka Pookie, Boo-Boy, etc) is an amazingly zen creature, and I think he is truly awesome in spite of his “uniqueness”.

So…he’s not a very happy camper right now. Lots of obviously painfull false alarm squats as he paces about the house. Squatting for him is a teetering balancing act, and he tends to zone out a bit during the longer spells. I don’t think he’s siezing, as this is nothing like his big epileptic episodes. It seems like he’s just tired and in pain, probably a little dehydrated and hungry. He isn’t very interested in water or food today, but he was eating and drinking and purring yesterday.

I’ve endured a UTI. I can sympathize with him.

I am aware of the need for antibiotics and the risk of a bladder infection or other complication, which is why I’m taking him to the vet first thing in the morning.

2

You probably know more than I do (I’ve never worked at a vet hospital) but if he were my cat, I’d take him to an emergency vet ASAP. I had a cat almost die of a blockage, and I still kick myself for not recognizing the signs earlier. I made an appointment and still brought him in early, the vet said if I would have waited for my appt., the cat probably wouldn’t have made it.

3

I second the idea of taking Dexter to an emergency vet as well (i.e. immediately).

When my cat Snoops had a UTI, I remember him laying around a lot, and meowing really strangely, so I took him to the vet. They performed the surgery that night, saying that if we’d waited until the next day, he might have died because of the blockage (apparently they only have about 24 hours or so before the blockage really starts getting to them).

Good luck, and I hope Dexter starts feeling better soon.

LilShieste

4

If he’s trying to pee but can’t at all, get him to a vet ASAP.

They can die from this.

I had a cat who got blocked up a few years ago. He turned out fine, after several days at the vet and a catheter that he removed himself. (YOWCH! Catheters aren’t fun, but I’d say he had balls to do that, except that I KNOW he didn’t have balls.)

5

I didn’t mean to sound totally harsh there. I hope your kitty gets well soon.

6

Shortly after posting I decided to take him in tonight, just to be safe. Good thing I did, as it turned out to be FLUTD .

I just came home and found that site. His bladder was very full and hard so they took him back to start right away on the procedure(s) that the site documents in detail.

Poor little guy!

I really hope they don’t have to go with the aggressive treatment…

While a little on the lethargic side, he was walking around the exam room and seemed relatively alert and self-aware, though obviously in pain. I hope I got him in early enough to prevent any renal damage :frowning:

7

I’m glad you got him there in time. I hope he gets well soon!

8

Phew. I’m glad he’s doing better! I felt horrible for my kitty when he had this.

And I’m grateful I never had to go the surgical route with him; while I had him (sadly, I had to give him up last year) he had one more UTI but I caught it early enough all he needed was antibiotics. I’m not sure he’d have forgiven my having the rest of his equipment removed. :smiley:

9

Dexter came home on Sunday afternoon. He is quite thrilled to be back, and wanted you all to know that.

He spent almost a full week at the vet’s, but he still has all of his equipment…at least what he had left after getting fixed years ago.

They had to insert a catheter and flush the crystals out his bladder two different times, that plus the extended hospitalization cost me a pretty penny…$900, give or take a bit.

The individual catheterization estimate was for $617. The “snipping” procedure estimate was
for $670, so we’re all quite happy that things turned out the way they did at our house.

Worst-case scenario would’ve been losing him, or course. 2nd worst-case scenario was looking like close to an $1800 vet bill.

He’s now on a special diet untill further notice, Science Diet c/d, dry. The tech said that he might not have to stay on Science Diet forever, but considering how potentially dangerous and costly this particular ailment seems to be, I’ll probably not be switching him back to the old IAMS any time soon, even if he doesn’t have any more problems.