Cat with struvite crystals showing signs of blockage

My cat who we just had in the vet to get a blockage removed is showing symptoms of another blockage. Our vet doesn't open til 9:30 and it's 10pm. I can't find a 24 hour emergency vet around me. Is there anything I can do to help him until then? I feel so bad -- he never meows but after he tries he's howling and licking himself.

Originally Posted by wcchandler

My cat who we just had in the vet to get a blockage removed is showing symptoms of another blockage. Our vet doesn't open til 9:30 and it's 10pm. I can't find a 24 hour emergency vet around me. Is there anything I can do to help him until then? I feel so bad -- he never meows but after he tries he's howling and licking himself.

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Have you called the vet's #? Sometimes they have the information for emergencies. I would go to an Emergency Vet, if at all possible, even if far away.

Two of our males had problems with repeat blockages. If you can find an emergency vet, I would. Being completely blocked is a serious risk, as the urine backs up into the system and can kill kitty from the toxicity. That life-threatening situation takes about 24 hours IF I'm remembering correctly. He's in pain, definitely - which is why I would do everything I could to get him to an emergency vet ASAP. If it is simply not an option, if he came home from the vet today - I'd pull up all the food and water and be waiting when they open in the morning.

for your poor baby boy!

Laurie

Thanks, called our normal vet and they gave us a number to a 24 hour vet. Cost double this time around -- $700 but they're the only 24 hour vet within a 3 hour radius...

He's going under in a couple hours.

Yup, we SO know that pain - of a kitty in need, and to the pocketbook.

I'm so glad you found someone though. It's just not worth the risk.

Please keep us posted.

for your kitty!

Laurie

Originally Posted by LDG

Yup, we SO know that pain - of a kitty in need, and to the pocketbook.

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You can't say that too many times. I can depend on two things - having a cat in my life and being broke.


Cats are excellent at stealing your hearts - and your pocketbooks.

A person with money is one that doesn't have enough cats.

How is he doing today?

I also have a repeat blocker, and I've had to teach myself to watch for signs of when he is on the verge of blocking. I usually get him to a vet prior to an actual blockage, but I have had 2 emergency trips to the vet. I have a couple of things on hand at home in case of emergencies: a sub-q bag of fluids that can help to flush out his system, a prescription of muscle relaxers that can relax his urethra (it often starts to spasm when they block and this helps to open it up a little bit), and a prescription of pain medication (not only does it relieve their pain, but relaxes them).

Talk to your vet about long term medication and diet changes to prevent this from happening, but also talk about having some things on hand that you can administer if he blocks and you can't get to a vet immediately. The treatment I've used with Muddy has opened up his urethra enough to tie me over to the morning. They get even more stressed by the midnight runs to the e-vet.

My male cat had that problem and we almost lost him to it, didn't know he was that sick until he peed blood in the kitchen. I was told that the only way to ensure he didn't become blocked again was to have him given the Perineal Urethrosotomy ("During a perineal urethrostomy, the penis is removed and the wider diameter pelvic urethra is opened and sutured to the surrounding skin, creating a new permanent opening in the urethra, just below the anus.") He also had bladdery surgery but because a not-very-smart-vet got a catheter stuck in there and it tore off when they tried to remove it.
I don't know if this would be mentioned to anyone else by a vet, but it worked wonders for my baby, he has had no problems since then. Am so sorry for your baby and will pray for him and for you and your pocket book