HELP - Penil urethrostomy????

paulfolbrecht

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I have a male cat, 4yo, slightly overweight. He blocked once 3 months ago, and again 2 days ago. Pulled catheter out and he reblocked in an hour.

They are now strongly recommending the penil urethrostomy but I have real concerns - it seems so drastic. Is it really the best way to go? I realized he blocked so soon after the catheter - but perhaps a high-water diet and weight loss could still turn him around? (His diet was changed to dry acidic C/D after the 1st episode.)

SURGERY IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW. I've already agreed but, as I said, am having 2nd thoughts. Please reply ASAP if you have experience and advice, pro or con. Thanks in advance!!!!

Paul
 

pushylady

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My understanding is that it's really a last resort.
How long was he cathetized for? Has he only been on the c/d diet for 3 months?
 
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paulfolbrecht

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Yes, 3 months on the new diet. He had the catheter in for about 9 hours when he pulled it out. Blocked again in an hour, and then apparently blocked again later with the catheter (forgot to mention that).
 

gailuvscats

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I have been managing struvite crystals successfully with Carpon from dr. Belfield.

I had a cat have that surgery when he was 2, that was in the 70's. He lived to be 15 years old before he got liver cancer. didn't have carpon then.

Are your crystals struvite?

The other issue is the scar tissue build up in the penis is so great, that the any little crystal will block, scrape and build up more scar tissue.

IT might be so scarred that urine without crystals may be difficult to pass.
 

crazyforinfo

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Originally Posted by PaulFolbrecht

I have a male cat, 4yo, slightly overweight. He blocked once 3 months ago, and again 2 days ago. Pulled catheter out and he reblocked in an hour.

They are now strongly recommending the penil urethrostomy but I have real concerns - it seems so drastic. Is it really the best way to go? I realized he blocked so soon after the catheter - but perhaps a high-water diet and weight loss could still turn him around? (His diet was changed to dry acidic C/D after the 1st episode.)

SURGERY IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW. I've already agreed but, as I said, am having 2nd thoughts. Please reply ASAP if you have experience and advice, pro or con. Thanks in advance!!!!

Paul
At this stage I strongly recommend it. Lucky was in this situation 3 years ago.
He was at the vet for a week & they tried taking the catheter out 3 times but he kept blocking.

gailuvscats is right. There may be a major concern about the scar tissue.

We didn't even have time to try a diet since he kept getting blocked. To me the danger of a blockage going untreated was worse than the risk of surgery.
Lucky had one bladder infection a few months after the surgery but we never had a issue after that.

Good luck with your decision.
 

jcribbs

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good luck.......... this is scary stuff. Will be watching for updates on what you decide. Have no advise to give, just moral support with lots of kitty vibes for a recovery for your baby...

Jenn
 

alleygirl

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I don't have anything to add, but just wanted to let you know that I would be thinking of you and your kitty. I hope he is ok, please keep us posted.
 
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paulfolbrecht

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Well, we pretty much decided to go through with it. Waiting from the call from the surgeon now.

I guess I feel a little funny, among other thing, about letting somebody cut Van's "thingy" off. I mean, I know neutering turns them into eunuchs to begin with, but this... it's probably silly, but it makes me shudder.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and support.
 

koukou

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Charlie had this operation about two years ago now. He got blocked 3 times in about 4 weeks and the vet said 3 strikes and your out so after some thought we decided to go for it. It was hard work keeping the wound clean, trying to limit climbing, keeping an eye on pees and poos etc but it was worth it in my opinion. Charlie does get cystitis now more often but after the operation and a change in diet he is doing great.

I hope all goes well for you whatever you decide.

Koukou
 

furry4fury

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healthy vibes being sent your way....we've gone thru two blockages in two weeks. Fingers crossed for you.
Denise
 
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paulfolbrecht

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Originally Posted by furry4fury

healthy vibes being sent your way....we've gone thru two blockages in two weeks. Fingers crossed for you.
Denise
Recently...? Did you go for the PU?
 

furry4fury

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First time he was catherized was Christmas day & then two weeks and two days later we had him back at the vets again. The last time I changed their diet to a low ash in the dry food and canned food and on top of that I give them twice a day Chicken broth watered down....so far so good. My vet is described best by his vet clinic name "Old Country Vet"...lol...he is old fashioned. Not to funny when I'm dealing with new methods but cheap enough that we can do something for our kitties. Let us know how things go. Good luck to you
 
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paulfolbrecht

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All,

Van had the surgery and is recovering. We went to see him and he's well - very lively and his old self pretty much. I'll let you know if there are any significant developments.

Thanks again!
 

semiferal

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Any cat who repeatedly blocks is going to be a candidate for PU surgery. All it takes is one blockage when you're gone for a long day and he can easily die, so the surgery is really a big thing to keep him healthy in the long run.

Most PU cats have uncomplicated recoveries and don't re-block. It's not a guarantee that they won't have problems but the surgery is far safer - and ultimately more cost effective - than not having it, for the cats who are "repeat offenders".

Best wishes for Van's quick recovery!
 

denice

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Sometimes I think the old fashioned country vets are really good. They sometimes are a lot longer on common sense. In a perfect world I would have a vet that was both. Long on common sense and experience but also up-to-date on new techniques that are available. I grew up on a farm in Kansas and I am 50 so my first experience with vets was the old fashioned country vets. Some of what I hear about holistic vets reminds me of those vets and the way that we took care of and fed our farm dogs then. I had one large mixed breed dog that lived to be about 20. I don't know exactly how old he was, he was a stray and when we took him in he was still a young but full grown dog. Dad had him put down long after I left home. He was almost blind and had really bad arthritis. Dad decided it would be cruel for him to try to go through another winter with his arthritis.
 

crazyforinfo

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Originally Posted by PaulFolbrecht

All,

Van had the surgery and is recovering. We went to see him and he's well - very lively and his old self pretty much. I'll let you know if there are any significant developments.

Thanks again!
Aww I am very happy to hear the news & that he is very lively.
 
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