Merlin92, I really hope makes a full recover.... I also hope that he never goes through this again, ever....
I am not sure how in depth your conversation with the e-vet was.... so I feel more than just vibes and good wishes, I had to say something here for his future, as these problems so often reoccur....
Please try to see what happened to him - what blocked him - was it crystals? Kidney stones? If crystals, oxalate? Struvite? It is very important that you know this information so you can prevent this in the future the best way you can..... It can be done with x-rays, a culture and urinalysis....
Yes, he will have to be in a special diet, or in the very least on a all wet diet.... Probably due to the severity of his case this vet will put him on a prescription diet. Please make sure he eats nothing but that for a very long while.... Afterwards you can change him for another wet, with your vet's assistance, or better yet, raw....
Also, one very important thing you have to know, is that male cats can die very quickly from this - you and him were incredibly fortunate. A blockage can kill a kitty in 24-48 hours. He started showing symptoms 2 weeks ago.... If this happens again, he might not be so lucky.
As a rule of thumb, if the kitty is jumping in and out of the box, peeing blood, peeing outside of the box, it is an emergency. A kitty who is not peeing makes it an immediate, life-threatening emergency.
Erratic behaviors, like sudden aggression, hissing, hiding, are all a sign of pain, and warrant a vet visit.
Your kitten doesn't need to go on a prescription diet - the ingredients are not the best (at all) and it serves only one purpose - preventing crystals/urinary issues.... but it will not be good for his health otherwise. The best thing to do for his health and future, is to put him in an all wet, low carbs diet.... The more species appropriate - the better - think meat, and forget the kibbles. He will be much better off....
Last but not least, I do understand times are hard.... God I so do! I have been there.... But know that things can be done, and for more than the situation looks helpless, there is help out there, and things can happen.....
Maybe you can put just a little bit aside every month for the kitties for emergency situations like these.... Or get health insurance for your kitties - get for the kitten now, and later for Merlin, when he is deemed cured from this, and it is no longer a pre-existing condition situation..... Just something to think about it, so you are covered....
For now, tons, tons of vibes for your little boy, for him to make a full recover, and thank you SO much for taking him to the vet....
We understand you're stressing. But many of us have been or are IN your situation: no jobs, no insurance. My husband and I lost our house due to his medical condition. We have no insurance. We live in our RV with 8 cats.
We've been through this 3 times with Bitty and each time we had to reach out to ask others for help making the payments. The last time was close to $1000 and our combined monthly income is only $1500 - but someone came through and paid the whole bill for us. If you are like me, and I have a feeling you are, your kitty is your baby and you would do everything for him to keep him safe, healthy and happy. The vet put Bitty on a prescription diet after the first episode and it has recurred twice, while on the diet. I've been doing some research and have discovered the vet prescribed diet is full of wheat & grains - not very good for kitties. We've been looking at alternatives and so far have not found anything that Bitty will eat. He does not like raw meat of any kind so a raw diet is kind of tricky. We've tried it a number of times now and he just refuses to eat anything raw. So now we're trying to find a good quality canned food that has mostly or all meat - not meat by-products.
