Sasha is home

I brought Sasha home from the vet this morning. He is happy to be here. I have not yet been debriefed by the veterenarian who treated him because he was busy with a surgery when I got there. I'll fill you all in later.

Funny part of story. I was only six blocks from the vet's office when they called. I had been at a job site waiting for a contractor who was late because of the snowstorm we had overnight. I was at the vet's office in less than five minutes.

Here's the vet's report on Sasha:

General: Sasha presented 1/4/10 with blood in the urine (hematuria) and urinary incontinence. Evaluation of 2 urine samples narrowed the problem to the urinary bladder. Laboratory work from Dr. Cates indicated struvite crystals in the urine, which is common in male cats. I believe this crystal is the primary reason for Sasha’s illness.



The crystals tend to stick to one another forming sand which sometimes cannot get out of the urinary tract. This can lead to a partial or complete urinary obstruction.


Crystals that are adhered to one another form sand which can irritate the bladder lining causing bleeding.


Partial urinary obstruction can result in over filling of the bladder and stretching of the bladder wall. In Sasha’s case, this results in urine retention. Over time the pressure in the bladder causes some of the urine to get out of the bladder, usually in very small amounts.


Plan –



Continue antibiotic therapy to avoid secondary infection.
Change diet to lessen the formation of the struvite crystals. Such a diet change will take 4 to 6 weeks to work.
The use of Bethancol to restore bladder tone.


In accordance with the plan above, bethanecol was started Tuesday evening. There were very positive signs noted in Sasha by Wednesday morning. This extended into Thursday and he was released.



It appears that we are over the hump with regard to the urinary bladder muscle tone. As indicated I feel that the diet will play a key point in keeping the crystals at a minimum to prevent a recurrence.

I have hesitated to post Sasha's condition fearing that I might jinx him. As you know he came home Thursday morning. By Thursday afternoon he had not yet used the litterbox. I reported this to the vet. Overnight Thursday he did go but not much. I was worried heading for the weekend. Friday, Friday night and Saturday morning he went in very small amounts and not all in the same puddle. Yesterday afternoon I heard a definite "stream" goin' on in the litterbox. I crossed my fingers and said "please let that be Sasha (not Marlow)". It was Sasha and he's doing well again today. He even "looks" better. Still got my fingers crossed.

whew! It's not just me.