Hopeless urinary issues

stephanietx said:

There's your stressor. To you it may not be a big deal, but to your Parker, it's huge.  I notice that my kitties tend to act out more when we've had a schedule change and are not spending as much time with them as normal.  I really admire the fact that you're trying to seek help for Parker while you're not doing so great and are struggling.  You've gotten a lot of good help here and I hope it helps you and Parker.  I also would suggest the Feliway diffusers and/or a calming collar.  The only other suggestion I would have is for you to join the Yahoo FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) group.  They have tons of experience with kitties who have urinary issues such as crystals and recurring UTI.  http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FLUTD/?yguid=353539644   Lastly, you could ask your vet to do a urine culture, which is a bit more in-depth that a regular urine test.
 

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I feel horrible for not spending so much time with him. Its hard with all that's going on with me but it doesn't matter how much I am struggling, he still needs me and I am still doing all I can. Its so hard though, feeling like I am having a mental breakdown while he is in pain. Its making me stress so bad, which is certainly not helping him either.
Knowing there are people here who can offer great advice does take a slight weight off. I haven't been posting much this last month or two, but its relieving to come back when I really need help and everyone is right there to give it to me.

But yeah, I am getting him to the vet as soon as I possibly can. I am thinking she will want to investigate more since this is his 3rd visit for the same thing but if she doesn't say anything, I will mention it to her about the culture. I just hope we get this sorted out. Will be one less thing for both of us to deal with.

Thanks everyone for your help. I can't express how much it is appreciated. Parker says thanks too. 

Don't beat yourself up about it, but now that you know what it is you can work to rectify things and get him back to being healthy.
 

jennyranson said:

I would not give turmeric to a cat with an inflamed bladder as it can make it worse. Consult a vet before giving anything orally.

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my vet said do it and its helping

I'm glad it's helping your kitty. :nod: Turmeric has many anti-inflammatory properties. Depends on the dose, but something to be aware of is its potential to cause ulcers. It's also contraindicated for any kitties with high blood pressure, as it's a blood thinner. (I have a high BP kitty and a kitty that had ulcers).

It's one of those things that can be great - but really needs to be overseen by a vet because of potential side-effects and interactions.

Yeah, I am pretty cautious about anything I give him that's not been run by the vet first. The RestoraLax (Miralax) was the only thing. That was because my vet kept suggesting other things that just weren't working. I was tempted to try the apple cider vinegar with this issue but I hear mixed things about it. I would like to do this naturally if I could but he's been battling this since July, so I am gonna trust the vet on this one and hope for a quick recovery. Thanks for the suggestion though! 
I will update after I get to the vet. 

LDG said:

I'm glad it's helping your kitty.

Turmeric has many anti-inflammatory properties. Depends on the dose, but something to be aware of is its potential to cause ulcers. It's also contraindicated for any kitties with high blood pressure, as it's a blood thinner. (I have a high BP kitty and a kitty that had ulcers).
It's one of those things that can be great - but really needs to be overseen by a vet because of potential side-effects and interactions.

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they get 1/4 TEASPOON every other day in the morning if i skip a dose he starts having problems and he also gets extra virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar and thous are also a small amounts and i heard vets recommend turmeric for cats that are dignouised with cancer

Yes, as I said, turmeric has many anti-inflammatory properties. It's also a powerful antioxidant. Our holistic vet said she would have recommended it for our cancer kitty, but he had an issue with ulcers, and it's contra-indicated during chemotherapy (as is ANY antioxidant).

I'm not critical of you using it. I'm critical of recommending it to others without requisite caution, that's all.

*UPDATE*

So I am about to pull my hair out. Parker has been at the vet since Monday. Just got off the phone and the vet said "he has blood in his urine (that's new) and still has infection. I want to put him back on the Baytril again"

Really?? He was on it twice now and the problem was still there. I love my vet but right now, shes really getting on my last nerve. She is trying to blame it on feeding Wellness but I told her like 10 times I feed him a few different brands. My roommate has to pick him up for me today because I have an appointment so I can't even talk to her. 

This is the THIRD time he's been there for this problem. I can't handle the stress and I can't afford anymore trips. Its bad enough I have to spend my niece and nephews birthday money on a vet bill now. I'm not sure what to do. 

Does he have crystals.

I don't think so. I imagine she would have said if he did.

I'm so sorry to hear about everything your going through. I can relate!!!  Angel just had cystitis for the first time in August, & now, he has it again, but no bacteria this time, this time there are some crystals, so having to do fluids again.  I can understand about the financial stresses. I am a single Meowmy too, & it's hard! I don't make much, (& I don't have a roommate). 

The only thing that saved me was applying for Care Credit, when he was at the vet's for 2 nights in August. I am so glad I did! It's the only way I could afford it! (even though it's still an extra expense).

Trust me, I know! (I get stresses too & am on B.P. meds)   PLEASE see if you can get Care Credit. It will really help. Payments weren't even as much as I thought they would be.

It's the only way I was able to take him to the E.R. on Sunday & then to his vet's on Monday.

I'm not sure of whats going on for you right now as to your stress, but can you take walks, or maybe try some yoga to help?? (Just trying to help) & of couse some snuggle time w/ your baby!

As far as your niece & nephews birhtdays, I don't know how old they are, but I wouldn't worry to much. I wasn't able to get mine Birthday presents last month either.

They know that I struggle & I think my sister has explained it to them when they were little & I couldn't get them much. Now, they are 17 & 19, so they understand.

I just bought them cards. I think they even appreciate that. Sometimes they knew they would have to wait a week or two, until pay day, when I could.

I am so sorry you are going through all of this right now. Please ask your vet's office about Care Credit.

You will be in my prayers!

OH, sorry for the double post, but just wanted to add, if the antibiotic your vet is using hasn't worked, I would remind her of that & ask that you would like him on a stronger one. Angel was on a heavy duty one in August. I don't remember the name, & I'm not at home to look at the records, but it started with a Z. He is also on Amyrtypline & will probably have to stay on it from now on. The E.R. vet & My vet agreed. (anti-spasmodic, & anti- anxiety). Also he is going to have to stay on the Glucosimine. That really helped with the bladder Inflammation.

Thanks for all the advice, Angels mommy. Much appreciated. I got my roommate to write down everything I needed to tell the vet and she mentioned it all. The vet gave me Amoxicillin instead of the Baytril. If this doesn't work, then he has to go back for an x-ray and other testing.

I was soooo stressed about another bill but to my amazement, she only charged me $36!! Plus she gave me some free food and 2 doses of advantage! That was a huge relief to hear when I got out my appointment today. Bless her heart.

As for me, I have all kinds of issues going on and I am in therapy. With all that stuff on my mind, I haven't spent as much time with Parker, as I said in a previous post and I feel horrible for that but I've really been trying to focus on getting myself well again. That's a struggle in itself. I did have some snuggle time with Parker when we got home today. He was SUPER chatty and told me all about his 2 days at the vets.

So it looks like I got the kiddies covered for their birthday. (They are 4 and 7, btw). A bit of good news is just what I needed.

Thank you for the prayers!! 

Aww, That's great news!! Yes, your vet is a blessing! What a relief for you! I'm glad you are feeling better about it. It would still be a good idea to

check out Care Credit, so the next time something comes up, hopefully you won't be as stressed about it.

I'm glad you feel better!!  You are very welcome for the prayers," anytime!" 

Question...my roommate didn't catch all of what my vet said and they are closed for the weekend...but is it safe to give Parker the dose of Advantage while hes on the Amoxicillin? 

LuvMyParker said:

Question...my roommate didn't catch all of what my vet said and they are closed for the weekend...but is it safe to give Parker the dose of Advantage while hes on the Amoxicillin? 

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Good question. I would think so, but,  for sure. You could always ask the very knowledgeable LDG, or Carolina. They should know for sure. Does he go outside??

The vet put flea medicine on Delilah when she was very sick and on antibiotics. I don't remember if she was on biomox or clavamox at the time, poor little bug was on them for so long, but they are both an amoxicillin.

Does he have fleas? If not you could wait until Monday to double check with your vet.

They don't go outside but Parker and Buddy both have flea dirt and Buddy has a bite on his chin. Probably fleas through the whole building here since there are people on the bottom floor who let their cats in and out through windows.

Hi Luv my Parker,

Just saw your post, my cat was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. He kept peeing outside the litter box because he was in pain and his urine culture showed no signs of crystals whatsoever and had some blood in his urine, I guess from his bladder being inflamed. I too spent so much $$ at the vet, just for them to tell me that his tests all came back negative. They put him on the Purina Veterinary Diets UR St/Ox & he's been on it for about 2 years now, and he hasn't had any urinary issues since! Once they clear up Parker's infection I would try a diet that consists of canned food for urinary stones/crystals. I think there's Royal Canin and Hill's and another Purina canned food option To get your cat to start peeing in litter box again, I highly recommend Dr. Elsey's cat litter attractant, they sell it at pet stores. Best of luck!!