HELP- Cat with FLUTD and nothing is working

I really am looking for advice on anything people have used that have worked. I have a 2.5 year old male cat. About 8 weeks ago he started straining to pee, would have urine and crystals. We are 3 vet visits in and have tried almost everything they say. They say there is no bacteria but he has had an antibiotic twice and it seems to stop it until it is finished and then it comes right back. Here are the changes I have made.

1. More litter boxes in the house. I now have 4 for 3 cats. 

2. I tried adding vitamin C and apple cider vinegar to his food. This worked the first time but it came right back. Seems to help but not fix.

3. He will not eat the Canin SO prescription food. I have him on Hills Science Diet wet food since it is all natural. 

4. I tried changing all the water in the house to distilled water. 

5. I bought aromatherapy stuff that you add to his water. 

6. He has a tall cat tower he likes to sit on top of and plenty of other places to go in and "hide".

7. I have placed bowls and containers of water in different sizes and materials in different places throughout the house. He definately drinks from them.

8. I am watering down his food. 

9. I ordered tinkle tonic- it has been shipped so I have not been able to try it yet.

10. Oh and I have tried cantharis pellets to reduce immflamation and pain. No help at all. 

The only thing left I have not tried is the Feliway diffuser. It is like $50 and I have already spent so much money I am running out of funds. 

Does anyone know of anything else I can try? I am getting desperate. It is so hard seeing him in pain. I have been through two vets already. 

He has had xrays, no stones. No bacteria. Blood work is all totally normal/healthy.

Also, last time we did antibiotics, pain meds and anti spasm meds. Anti spasm went down to administering every other day. Vet had me start everyday again yesterday. It seems to be preventing it from getting as bad as normal. He is not trying to go as often. He is not crying like before. But he is still not quite at normal. It has definately been to where the pain is so bad he will not respond to me and he sits funny and just cries. This is a huge improvement. But he is still miserable. 

Should I try changing his food again? I did buy the Purina One Urinary Health dry food because the vet said to do half dry and half wet. But I only give him a few pebbles here and there because with this going on I want him to have all wet food so he gets as much water as possible. I cant afford the prescription even if he would eat it, but the Science Diet all natural goes on sale for 90 cents for the bigger can. I can swing that. But if anyone has ones they know are better I am totally open to suggestions!! 

Thanks everyone!!!

Poor guy.  Ritz is prone to stress-induced UTIs which has been managed by raw food, Feliway and Rescue Remedy.  And in her case, time.  She is learning she has less to be afraid of.

I would ditch all dry food, as you plan to do.  Avoid fish at all costs.  Read the labels carefully; sometimes "chicken" flavored cat food has as the second ingredient, fish.  Raw if you have the time.   Other people will be able to tell you more about food for FLUTD.

I would try Feliway; you can buy it considerably cheaper on Amazon than any where else.  I would also try Bach's Rescue Remedy.

Also, what method has been used to collect the urine.

Zylkene might help.  I can buy 100 capsules for less than £30 ($50) on the Internet.

Some antibiotics have an anti-inflamitory effect as well hence they can help where there isn't an infection.

He might need a PUS operation which is not cheap (understatement), and should only be done by someone skilled in doing it.  A friend's cat had it as he blocked several times in a few months and he's been fine since.

Here is a link to the FLUTD Yahoo group.  Lots of care, understanding, and support there.  You might get some new ideas and helps.  http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FLUTD/?yguid=353539644
 

Frustrating-my female cat has had cystitis for a few weeks. A note on the diffuser, mine started to smoke after 2 weeks-that was the end of that. The only thing that has helped her is a dose of subcutaneous fluids. Seemed to help a lot. We are doing the distilled water as well as
cosequin capsules sprinkled on food. It is supposed to help with building up the bladder wall.
It is a frustrating issue. I dont have much more to offer except to say the sub q fluids made a dramatic difference in our case. But every case is different. Sending you many many vibes!!

You mentioned he was on pain meds-I had my kitty on buprenex-sometimes they need to be on them for a bit to help break the "stress" cycle.

My kitten had a case of FLUTD in November. He was on dry food (blue wilderness) and 3oz of wet food (avoderm) a day. He was on anti-inflammatory that was doing nothing for him. The vet had given me a receipt for prescription food and I decided not to get it. After doing TONS of reading on it, I was coming to the conclusion that i should take away his dry food. The FLUTD went on for about 5 days until I came home to puddles of blood throughout the house. After rushing him to the vet to check nothing was wrong, I threw out all his dry food. He got better within 24 hours (from the FLUTD... that incident spurred various other malaises he is still dealing with).

So my recommendation is to get him on a quality brand of wet food only. If you do, however, make sure you increase the amount of wet food you feed your kitty to match the intake of calories. I did not do the math before switching and realized within one week that I was underfeeding my boy by 100 calories. I did this by figuring out how many cups of dry food I was feeding him per day and calculating the calories/serving from the package. Then I increased the amount of wet food so that it would be comparable. I recommend you feed your kitty a grain-free diet too. 

With crystals, the key is a) diet and b) fluids. Period.

http://www.catinfo.org

Any diet that is high carb will contribute to raising the urine pH. It is an alkaline environment in which struvite crystals form. What is needed is a high protein/low carb diet with a relatively low phosphorus level on a dry matter basis (discussed in the FLUTD section of the link I provided).

Crystals are not abnormal in urine - it's when they're produced in an amount that's too much that they can't be flushed out with pee that they cause problems.

Basically, to resolve a struvite cyrstal problem, you need to lower kitty's urine pH (usually done with a prescription food or a urine acidifier) and to keep the bladder flushed, you need as much water moving through there as possible.

The existence of struvite crystals themselves will raise the urine pH. And if you dissolve the crystals with the proper urine pH, it's possible for some "sludge" to remain in the bladder, which causes the problem to cycle. The only way to break the cycle is water (wet food only) and keep the urine pH at 6.25 - 6.5.

I have no idea what Tinkle Tonic is. But if he's not on a prescription food (NOT a "urinary health" food available at the pet store or supermarket) for bladder health to get him stabilized, I would recommend finding some foods you're comfortable feeding and can source from the list of commercial foods on Dr. Pierson's website ( ). What you're looking for is information in the middle column - the dry matter basis. You want a food that is less than 10% carbs on a dry matter basis, and as close to 1% phosphorus (or less) on a dry matter basis as possible.

You might want to consider asking the vet about using L-methionine as a urine acidifier. We discuss it here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/252702/angel-has-cystitis-again-3rd-time-in-5-mo-s/30#post_3302177

To the orginal poster...  How is your cat doing?  What did you find that helped/didn't help.  I had a 3.5 yr old male cat block this past Tues. He spent 2 days at vet.  (came home Fri) They unblocked him by catheterizing him. It's now Sunday. He's tapering off  his steriodal anti inflammatory, still on antispasmotic. Had a 1-shot (long acting) antibiotic at the vet. I am giving him Cantharis, Staphysaria (sp?) and a combo homeopathic called "Bladder Irritation" as well as an herbal combo containing Stone Root, Gravel Root, Marshmallow Root, and Hydrangea  (in dose appropriat for his weight).  On his 100% canned food (with water added) I sprinkle D-Mannose and Probiotics as they are tasteless.  Whew! Good thing my nursing experience has me able to manage this medication schedule!!  We had him confined to a large bathroom for the first 2 days home. He was peeing often and in small (but decent) amounts. He would still lick his privates after each pee.  On the theory that the confinement was making him stressed, I've let him have run of the house with someone keeping an eye on him at all times.  Lots of clean litter boxes on every floor of the house.   I am so afraid he will block again..... cannot afford another $1000+ vet bill.

So, if your story had a happy ending, I'd like to hear it.

Thanks!

For three years, our female siamese tortie, Mitzi, has endured FLUTD.  She had surgery to remove the sturvite crystals, endured many tests and trips to the vet.  She was put on Purina dry SO food and special wet food as well.  We bought fountains, extra litter boxes, Feliway diffusers and spray, Tinkle Tonic, nature Calm collars....everything we could think and still we had use pain killer to help her through the day.

I switched vets and the new one performed all the same tests and told me to take her off dry food right now.  I did and she is eating Instinct Rabbit and Duck canned food, which she loves.  And, no more FLUTD!!!!  She pees in one litter box and has started to gain some weight.  She is very happy and does not need pain meds at all!  The food is expensive, but it so worth it.  It is grain-free and has a high moisture content which is why it seems to be working.

No dry food for kitties with FLUTD.  Period.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for sharing your success story, Cathy R. I think it's extremely important for people to understand how detrimental a dry diet can be for kitties with urinary issues.

I wanted to update every one on a happy ending / success story.   I was VERY frustrated trying to help Charlie get better.  For  more than 2 months post-blockage he would still only pee very small amounts, very frequently and lick himself immediately after pee'ing. Clearly he was still irritated down there.
If you read my previous post, you can see that I tried many things. Curing Charlie came down to this:  I bought pH test strips (Litmus paper) cheap from ebay.  Bought a bottle of Source Naturals L-Methionine online.  I had already had him on a "no dry food" diet.  Over the course of a week or more I added small amounts of the L-Methionine to his food.  I tested his urine after every time he pee'd by picking him up and flipping him over right away while there was still a tiny drop of pee on the tip of his privates. I used this drop to test the pH on the Litmus paper.  Based on the results I gradually increased the L-Meth powder until his urine was at the recommended pH for cats.  He is still on that dose.  I check his urine periodically to make sure he still needs the powder added to his food... that I'm not making his urine TOO acidic!

I just wanted to let other pet owners going thru the worry that I did know that, it may take a while, and a lot of trial and error, but eventually something will work if you are diligent about finding a solution for your cat.  

Monica Horn said:

 
I wanted to update every one on a happy ending / success story.   I was VERY frustrated trying to help Charlie get better.  For  more than 2 months post-blockage he would still only pee very small amounts, very frequently and lick himself immediately after pee'ing. Clearly he was still irritated down there.
If you read my previous post, you can see that I tried many things. Curing Charlie came down to this:  I bought pH test strips (Litmus paper) cheap from ebay.  Bought a bottle of Source Naturals L-Methionine online.  I had already had him on a "no dry food" diet.  Over the course of a week or more I added small amounts of the L-Methionine to his food.  I tested his urine after every time he pee'd by picking him up and flipping him over right away while there was still a tiny drop of pee on the tip of his privates. I used this drop to test the pH on the Litmus paper.  Based on the results I gradually increased the L-Meth powder until his urine was at the recommended pH for cats.  He is still on that dose.  I check his urine periodically to make sure he still needs the powder added to his food... that I'm not making his urine TOO acidic!

I just wanted to let other pet owners going thru the worry that I did know that, it may take a while, and a lot of trial and error, but eventually something will work if you are diligent about finding a solution for your cat.  

Click to expand...

Wow...kudos to you for being so determined to help your boy!    I'm so glad what you're doing seems to be working.    So Charlie isn't exhibiting any signs of urinary distress anymore like he was in the past?

I don't have personal experience in FLUTD with my cats. Just make sure your vet is kept abreast of what you're doing. I love hearing happy stories! 

Firstly, it is an emergency if a cat can't 'pee'. Bladder can burst fatally. Don't persist & fail for long. Dare I say a couple of days may be too long. It's painful also. Inflammation is also from straining.  i.e. Vet. Struvites are more common than calcium oxylates which are excess Acid. Acid PH which you should aim for in a Cat's diet, meat etc. Don't use Apple Cider Vinegar as it is Alkaline forming which you want to avoid. Ascorbic Acid, Vit C, is good Acid. Strangely the other common vinegars are Acid forming but cats hate it. Cranberry tabs.  is Acid, for Cystitis & supposed to have a positive component that releases crystals from wall of bladder. If can't find Cranberry tabs next Cranberry Juice but has sugar, although sugar is Acid forming OK. I've just given my Cat that can't pee some now. Mine refuse Cranberry in food so in bit of meat flavoured water & syringe.  I'd try giving water by Insulin syringe first for flushing before trying  Sub-Q's although person said, made a difference to her cat.  Procedure as it is a bit intimidating for novices.  And you need someone to hold cat or a towel. Some cats won't tolerate it.  Cats known, not to be  free-drinkers.  Have a few small Insulin syringes on hand from pharmacy. To place water in side of cat's mouth. Small amounts at a time to avoid lungs. For hydration & hopefully 'flush' urine. For FLUTD  I'd do it quite a few times through day. I add a tspn  meat for flavour. But meat can obstruct syringe. No Fish at this time, it has much Magnesium which is Alkaline. I give fish very rarely because of this. Do NOT ever give garlic or onion to a cat (or dog). You will kill them with disease called Heinz Body Anaemia in a couple of days to die. No cure. Usually Blood transfusions fail in vain. Even small amounts. Ignore every w'site that differs, please!

My then 1 year old male cat had crystals. Took him to three vets. All said he needed surgery or to put him down. Then, we took him to a holistic vet. The vet gave him superior fu fang jin qian chao pills (found at every chinese pharmacy). He lived to be 14. Not sure if it will work for your cat, but it sure helped mine.

LDG said:

With crystals, the key is a) diet and b) fluids. Period.

http://www.catinfo.org

Any diet that is high carb will contribute to raising the urine pH. It is an alkaline environment in which struvite crystals form. What is needed is a high protein/low carb diet with a relatively low phosphorus level on a dry matter basis (discussed in the FLUTD section of the link I provided).

Crystals are not abnormal in urine - it's when they're produced in an amount that's too much that they can't be flushed out with pee that they cause problems.

Basically, to resolve a struvite cyrstal problem, you need to lower kitty's urine pH (usually done with a prescription food or a urine acidifier) and to keep the bladder flushed, you need as much water moving through there as possible.

The existence of struvite crystals themselves will raise the urine pH. And if you dissolve the crystals with the proper urine pH, it's possible for some "sludge" to remain in the bladder, which causes the problem to cycle. The only way to break the cycle is water (wet food only) and keep the urine pH at 6.25 - 6.5.

I have no idea what Tinkle Tonic is. But if he's not on a prescription food (NOT a "urinary health" food available at the pet store or supermarket) for bladder health to get him stabilized, I would recommend finding some foods you're comfortable feeding and can source from the list of commercial foods on Dr. Pierson's website ( ). What you're looking for is information in the middle column - the dry matter basis. You want a food that is less than 10% carbs on a dry matter basis, and as close to 1% phosphorus (or less) on a dry matter basis as possible.

You might want to consider asking the vet about using L-methionine as a urine acidifier. We discuss it here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/252702/angel-has-cystitis-again-3rd-time-in-5-mo-s/30#post_3302177

Click to expand...

Fantastic information! As well, avoid foods with an abundance of fruits and veggies as they too will raise the PH. Ideally high protein from a good quality meat source, with only a few other ingredients and low carbs+ low phosporus + lots of moisture! I use to think cat food with lots of veggies & fruits was a good thing, but it's more appealing to the humans purchasing this food than it is benficial for our felines! Now I avoid these ingredients like the plague, since I have a male cat with FLUTD, and have to really monitor him, since I am no longer feeding him RC/ SO.  In the wild, cats would have a very minimal amount of these PH raising foods! Taking it one day at a time!

The L-methionine works like a charm in lowering the PH, but I suspect it makes my cat very itchy, to the point where he is excessively grooming the hair right off of his arms! I only use it in emergencies! Also, I think it's good to be mindful of how this ingredient may impact kidney health! All things in moderation I suppose!

Curious, what symptoms did your cat have? And what dosage did you give him?

He was constantly licking his arms and side, the Vet suggested an allergic reaction to something! When I stopped using the DL.his symptoms went away! I have a current feeding regime that seems to be working so far in keeping his PH in balance. However, i am not blind to the fact that this could all change in an instant! Dealing with FLUTD is like being on a slippery slope! You have to chose your steps very carefully! I have done a lot of research, and have used Dr. Lise Pierson's food chart, as a guide.

Ok Thanks. I was just checking to see if it had symptoms like mine.