I think Beeba has another UTI

[farleyv]

How can this happen? This am just now I find him in litter box straining! He is on Baytril one per day and 4 acidifyers. He is drinking plenty from his new fountain. Peeing regularily. He was back to his old playful self. Just 2 hours ago, he was all over me trying to wake me up.

This is just too much. How can this happen? He still has about a week of Baytril left and probably 2 weeks of acidifyers. I keep thinking since it's 4 am, maybe I am dreaming.

Can UTI's come back even though a cat is on meds?

I am mentally depleated. I just want my boy well. He is my bud.

He started UTI the week of the 8th. Got better by the 13th or so. Now this.

Sorry kind of disjointed. It's early and I am in tears.

Any thoughts? Thanks. Going to drink my coffee and wait.

[chris10]

Crystals can from in any type of ph. Usually certain crystal tends to form in a certain ph levels. Since you listed acidifiers I can only speculate that your kitty has suffered from struvites. Which can dissolve and are less likely to form in acidic urine. But calcium oxalates are more likely to form in acidic urine. IMO the two things that need to be watched the most is mineral intake and moisture intake. Antibiotics really only helps in actual infections. Though bacteria can at times be present along side crystals.

http://www.peteducation.com/article....+2142&aid=2729

[farleyv]

Thanks Chris for answering so quick! He did have both crystals. He has been drinking really good. He loves his fountain. I just was googling what minerals to stay away from. My brain isn't working too good.

There is urine in his box, so I think I caught this pretty quick. He eats Natural Balance Ultra dry. I know dry is crummy, but wet got so expensive. I don't have the bag because I keep their food in a container. Well, as soon as I find out what minerals to stay away from, the food will change. I was going to put him back on wet, but the information I read and my vet told me is not to change until symptoms are gone and meds are done.

Lovely way to start the week!

Thanks again so much.

[farleyv]

I am wondering if I may have caused this flare up. I have been giving him meds with a little butter on each pill to make it easier going down and increase swallowing afterward. It was salted butter. Now I see sodium is instrumental in oxalate crystals.

OMG I hope I didn't do this.

[strange_wings]

Surely that little bit wouldn't be enough to cause it - there's probably more sodium in the food.

As pointed out, there may just be more going on that's going to take a while to treat. Don't beat yourself up, you're trying your hardest.

I hope Beeba starts showing improvement again. Maybe you should look into a food switch and start the transition while you still have some of his current food left?

[farleyv]

Yea, I guess I will be in for a food switch. I just gave him a seditive at 9am. Will take in as soon as it takes affect. My vet is good this way, I can always get in the same day no matter what. I can either drop him or stay for visit. I think though that he will have to be "unplugged" .

It seems the oxalyte (sp)? crystals won't respond to meds and they need to get out of town quickly.

Mondays always get me down! PS My daughter has H1N1. O happy day!

[Auntie Crazy]

Originally Posted by farleyv

...Well, as soon as I find out what minerals to stay away from, the food will change. I was going to put him back on wet, but the information I read and my vet told me is not to change until symptoms are gone and meds are done.

Lovely way to start the week!

Thanks again so much.

It's good that you going to put Beeba back on wet foods, Farleyv. I haven't heard that you had to wait, though, and you might want to double-check that. Getting him off kibble at the earliest point possible can be nothing be a good thing.

I'm so sorry you're going through this! What a rough time. And your daughter's sick with the flu, too?! Holy moley, you've got your hands full!

Hang in there!

[strange_wings]

When it rains it pours, huh?

I hope you can get some decent news from the vet.

[Momofmany]

I'm so sorry that you are going thru this!

I have one thought to share about your comment on wet food being so expensive. I like to think of it this way: 1 trip to an ER vet will be far more expensive than the cost of wet food. If wet food will help him, it will save you a lot of money in the long run. And if you aren't doing so already, avoid fish flavors. The last time Muddy ate a can of fish flavored cat food, we landed at the ER vet (stuvite crystal blockage). Sometimes its just the minor changes that can get them over the hump.

Hang in there!

[LDG]

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear this! ...but especially has he had both types of crystals, and the one can only be fixed through diet, it can take a while to get it straightened out. Three of our males went through something very much like you're experiencing, where it took a lot of trips to the vet to make sure all was OK. Two had to be catherized several times before the meds and diet switch "took."

for the Beeb.

[Dilly]

Sending for Beeba.

[darlili]

sending best wishes that the rest of your Monday will be happier. My boy has crystals too, and today I hope to get his second urine sample to see how the diet is going (don't ask about trying to get this sample a few weeks ago!). You're a good mom for being so attentive, and don't beat yourself up - the vet has heard it all, so just try and tell her everything that's happened (including the butter deal - I wouldn't think the sodium in a bit would be a big deal, but it might help her with a diagnosis, or in thinking what else might work, since stress in pilling isn't a huge help either).

My guy seems to be peeing like a champ - we're having some mushy stool issues, though.

Vets are aware of budget issues - I'm confident they'll work with you to figure something out that will keep a roof over all your heads. It's true that once you find the right food, it'll seem a bargain compared to e-vet visits or emergency surgery - in dollars and in your own comfort. But, I truly don't think vets are out to gouge you. Maybe they can recommend some wet food that will work in your budget. I've found that Hills CD is right there with foods such as Nutro, etc. Not dead cheap, but not as bad as some non-prescription foods, cost-wise.