Recurring Urinary Problems (been to two vets)

Hi, I'm hoping someone here can help me.

This summer, in June, my 2 year old boy Puff got a bladder infection. We took him to the vet and was given an antibiotic. It cleared up in 3 days and we continued to give him the medicine for 5 more days.

Two months later, the infection is back (if it is an infection). Our vet gave us the same antibiotic. It cleared up for two days, then came back strong even while on the antibiotic. Sensing that this vet didn't know much what else to do, I went to another one. He came to the same conclusion that it was a urinary track infection and gave me two weeks of a stronger antibiotic. It cleared up for 10 days, then came back again while still on the antibiotic. Fearing stones, we ordered an X-ray which came up negative. So we were given two more weeks worth of an even stronger antibiotic (4 times the size even). Once again, it cleared up for about 8 days, and now is back again.
Symptoms: Going to the litter box constantly, taking a very long time to get a small amount of urine out sometimes pinkish in color, and constantly licking himself. He eats and drinks normally, though he stops playing with our smaller cat when he's feeling bad. He is on strict Science Diet, has a water fountain, and never goes outside.

What could possibly be causing this? Has anyone else here been through this?

Forgive me it is very very late... but have they gotten a urine sample at the vets office from you kitty>>>??? What science diet is kitty on?? wet ?? dry ?? a mix ??? Have they done a blood panel ??? checked for cycstesis??

Sounds like crystals in the urine or cystitis (no, I'm not a vet, but I've had kitties with both conditions). I'd ask what the culture and sensitivity on the urine tests showed - and if they didn't do one, insist they do so...this will tell what is causing the infection, if there is one, and what antibiotics it is resistant to.

They should have told you if they saw crystals in the urine sample...http://www.homevet.com/petcare/cystitis.html this is a decent article/explanation of cystitis by a vet, worth a read over.

I would definitely pursue this, something is clearly not resolved here..poor fellow

No, they haven't taken a urine sample from him. I'm about to just do it myself and take it up there without him asking though.

He's on a dry science diet.

Forgive me on the time. I work nights.

Originally Posted by mortal888

No, they haven't taken a urine sample from him. I'm about to just do it myself and take it up there without him asking though.

He's on a dry science diet.

Forgive me on the time. I work nights.

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I used to work 12 hour night shifts - 7p to 7a. I don't really miss it

Yeah, I'm going to bring them a sample my self. I'll get back to you guys and give an update.

My Nugie just got over an infection.
When I noticed blood near his penis, I called the vet and they had me drop him off the next day so they could draw urine.
He was on Orbax for two weeks and then I had to take him in to have his urine rechecked.

I'm wondering how a cet can diagnose a UTI without checking the urine?

In Nugents case, the recheck has shown Struvite Crystals that we have to try and get cleared up with the proper diet now. He has to go back for another recheck to see if we are succeeding.

I guess the Struvite Crystals are caused by an infection and if the Crystals aren't taken care of then they could cause another infection.
At least this is how I am understanding it and if I'm wrong I hope someone will correct me on this.

Good luck with your kit. What you are going through sounds frustrating for you and painful for the kit.

Poor little guy I'm so glad he has you loving him enough to leave no rock unturned until your little boy's all better. I'll be up with you, and looking forward to that update. to both of you.

UTIs are certainly no fun for kitty or human!

It seems unusual that despite the infection returning your vet didn't do an urinalysis!

I hope you can get some answers from your vet and the urinalysis bring up something to shed some light on the issue!

Please let us know how it goes

Fingers crossed the urine sample shows the prob - I have only known one vet give meds for a UTI without a urine sample, but the ones I have had with it have all taken 2 lots of antibiotics to clear up. Feeding dry food only could be an issue, if it is possible, I would try and give him mainly wet food. Good luck, I know how frustrating it is.

My cat has the crystals and here is what I do and he is doing great.

I feed primarily( well at least 50% wet) I also give him an acidifier CARPON twice a day. I was assured by the developer(vet) that two pills would be fine for maintenance and not create too much acidity which develops another type of crystal. You can search the carpon, and it sounds like you have a lot more research to do. There are stickies on this board and there is a lot of info on the web. Another thing you might want to search is cystaid. WE cannot get it here but in the UK they use it. Even though we can't get it, the UK vet pages have a lot of good info explaining the problem. You can't fool around with this, because the crystals could create a plug in his penis and he will become blocked and could die. Antibiotics might take care of any secondary infection caused by the scrapping of the crystals on the urethra wall, but they don't get rid of the crystals. My guy was kind enough to pee on a piece of plastic, so that I could see and touch the crystals. It was like he was peeing sand. I bet that hurt!

Hmm...The vet told me that the X-ray would show if he had crystals and he would have a swollen bladder if he had them. The X-rays were negative and his bladder feels normal. I sure hope it's not crystals.

Thanks guys. I'll give you updates.

Originally Posted by mortal888

Hmm...The vet told me that the X-ray would show if he had crystals and he would have a swollen bladder if he had them. The X-rays were negative and his bladder feels normal. I sure hope it's not crystals.

Thanks guys. I'll give you updates.

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Uhm...to me that isn't logical. Yes, you can see *bladder stones* via xray, but a simply examination of the urine under a microscope will show the presence of crystals. I can believe if things get bad the bladder will feel swollen, but why wait? I humbly suggest a new vet. sheesh.

Here is a good explanation by a vet on what can be seen/tested for in a urinalysis:
http://www.peteducation.com/article....articleid=3136 be sure to read the part of examining the sediment (if any) found.

i agree completely - surely it would be harder on the cat to be x-rayed than a urine sample to be checked?? Mine have all been diagnosed off a urine sample, apart from the lodger who said he could feel her bladder was inflamed - I could have told him that, I already knew she had cystitis.

After over $350 worth of doctors, tests, and medicines, we have found the answer.

Nothing worked. The doctors could find nothing. For the umpteenth time I sat around watching my cat, trying to find something that could be causing this. My wife got out of the shower and he jumped in, licking up the water. We had never really thought of this, since he'd done it all his life. I asked my wife about it and she said it couldn't be the answer because that's what he's always done. I then asked her if she had started using a new soap or shampoo in recent months. She had changed shampoos.

We've been closing the bathroom door after us and he's been perfectly fine now.

All that money and strife because of a cheap new shampoo.

I am so glad you have found the answer and that it is nothing too serious - would never recommend allowing a cat to lick shower water if you have used soap or shampoo though.