On our way to e-vet, possible blockage

Garfunkel was getting in and out of the litterbox without peeing tonight. He actually did it this AM too now that I am thinking about it but I didn't think anything at the time. I am so frightened and of course we are now stuck in traffic due to bridge work which is the only reason I have time to post this.

Please please send good vibes. This is my first cat emergency and I am probably more scared than Garfunkel. The hardest part is this is the first time he and Simon have been separated since birth other than on the table while being neutered. I am so scared Simon will shun him or this will otherwise damage their relationship. I better stop because I am working myself up.

They closed my care credit account due to no activity and I had to apply for a new one. I only got $500 so I am hoping and hoping I can afford whatever care he needs.

Please send vibes and prayers. I am so distressed.

Poor baby! I will definitely send good vibes your way. It is never fun to go to the emergency vet but we do what we can for our babies.
Don't worry about reintroducing your litter mates to each other. I have two sets at home. A good trick I have found is diluted vanilla extract rubbed behind their ears, back where the tail starts, behind the neck, and a quick swipe across the nose. And yes there may be a little hissing but usually within a couple of hours everyone is happy again.

Thinking happy thoughts for you and keep us updated!

When we got there his bladder was actually empty (a good thing) but in order to see and treat what is causing the increased urination before it does become a blockage, they needed a sample.  So I came home without him and am still waiting for an update.  

I am rather peeved as they were so kind and sweet and said they would call with updates but I've called twice in the last 7 hours and no doctor has been available to speak to me.  The most the vet tech has been able to say is that they gave him sub-q fluids and he is not straining.  Well, what does that mean?  Did he give a sample?  I'm assuming that since he hasn't peed in more than 9 hours now, his bladder is functioning and should have a sample some time in the last few hours.  I'm sure he is not their highest priority but even so there should be an update by now.  

I don't know what to think and I need to go get him by 7:30AM to avoid him being hospitalized which will be a bill I can't afford.  (The doc and I discussed that at length as well.)  If they can't treat him by then I will have to take him to another vet to be seen. I want them to call me!!  So frustrated!!

I drove to the vet.  He never passed any urine last night (supposedly).  They couldn't do a urinalysis so we are assuming it is a UTI.  He is on Clavamox and I think he got most of his first pill down (after a lot of stress on my part and using up two pills before he finally took one). 

I am far from at ease... he has pooped once and squatted to pee four times since we got home about 30 minutes ago but I only saw a small amount of urine on two of the squats.  He wouldn't take pain meds (via syringe... I don't know how to do it but am doing my best from remembering other vet visits, he keeps shaking his head violently whenever the syringe passes through his gums to his tongue which knocks the syringe out of my hand) so I hope he is feeling ok.  They said just to watch him for 24 hours.  They said signs of blockage are vocalizations during urination, lethargy, and sometimes vomiting.  I hope the antibiotics kick in soon.  He is currently in his perch in the bathroom, on top of the bathroom cabinet. 

Thank you DragulescuGirl, I really appreciate it.  Can anyone else provide some advice or comforting words?  TCS sure is different from when I first came... you could write a post and have 10 replies within a few hours back then.  That's why I don't come around much anymore.  But I would really appreciate some advice or help.  Thanks. 

Honestly I would take him to another vet right away if he is squating with no pee coming out. I don't understand if he was unable to pass urine at the vets why would they send him home without ruling out a blockage?

Franksmom said:

Honestly I would take him to another vet right away if he is squating with no pee coming out. I don't understand if he was unable to pass urine at the vets why would they send him home without ruling out a blockage?

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Based on this advice I just called my regular vet.  The nurse is going to talk with the doctor and call me back but she said if he is passing urine (he has now gone in the box another half dozen times and I have seen small amounts of urine on a few of those) and on antibiotics that is really the only course of treatment so we just have to wait.  I don't know what to think anymore.  I guess they ruled out a blockage because his bladder was practically empty on palpation.  So right now we are trying to clear up the cause of the frequent urination so that there won't be a blockage?  I'm not sure.

Poor Garfunkel - mega for him!

A UTI is really frightening; we went through that with Jamie several years ago. He wasn't blocked (but was very constipated) and was so bad about taking meds that we gave him injections. He also had to have SQ fluids. Have you tried pill pockets for the Clavamox? Sometimes liverwurst, tuna or spray cheese will do the trick. I honestly don't recall whether Jamie got pain meds, but I don't think so. The UTI cleared up within a few days, but he was on prescription food for several months, and later I switched him to half prescription/half regular food because he was starting to refuse the prescription stuff. We tried an acidifier (a paste added to regular food), but he wouldn't eat it.

Is Garfunkel on a wet diet? Does he have a drinking fountain?

I had Jamie's urine checked regularly after his UTI - quarterly at first, then every six months. I used to get a bag of special litter from the vet that consisted of plastic chips and collect the urine myself. It could be washed and reused, though some of it was "lost" each time. Some people use aquarium gravel instead, or uncooked rice.

parsleysage said:

Based on this advice I just called my regular vet.  The nurse is going to talk with the doctor and call me back but she said if he is passing urine (he has now gone in the box another half dozen times and I have seen small amounts of urine on a few of those) and on antibiotics that is really the only course of treatment so we just have to wait.  I don't know what to think anymore.  I guess they ruled out a blockage because his bladder was practically empty on palpation.  So right now we are trying to clear up the cause of the frequent urination so that there won't be a blockage?  I'm not sure.

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Glad you called the vet I was just worried because it didn't soud like they ruled out a blockage and in your post they didn't really sound on the ball.

jcat said:

Poor Garfunkel - mega

for him!

A UTI is really frightening; we went through that with Jamie several years ago. He wasn't blocked (but was very constipated) and was so bad about taking meds that we gave him injections. He also had to have SQ fluids. Have you tried pill pockets for the Clavamox? Sometimes liverwurst, tuna or spray cheese will do the trick. I honestly don't recall whether Jamie got pain meds, but I don't think so. The UTI cleared up within a few days, but he was on prescription food for several months, and later I switched him to half prescription/half regular food because he was starting to refuse the prescription stuff. We tried an acidifier (a paste added to regular food), but he wouldn't eat it.

Is Garfunkel on a wet diet? Does he have a drinking fountain?

I had Jamie's urine checked regularly after his UTI - quarterly at first, then every six months. I used to get a bag of special litter from the vet that consisted of plastic chips and collect the urine myself. It could be washed and reused, though some of it was "lost" each time. Some people use aquarium gravel instead, or uncooked rice.

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Thank you Tricia, I really appreciate it.  Garfunkel is on a grain-free dry diet.  Long story but I stopped being able to afford the expensive wet food.  The cheap wet food caused extreme food aggression and other behavior issues so after enduring 3-4 months of that they switched to dry.  I do feet wet occasionally as I get some extra money.  He ate wet last night.  I bought some wet at the grocery store this AM before going to get him and will feed him that for a few days at least.  They do have a drinking fountain and he used that for a few minutes this morning.

Franksmom said:

Glad you called the vet I was just worried because it didn't soud like they ruled out a blockage and in your post they didn't really sound on the ball.

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Yeah, when I was there they seemed great but I was frustrated they never updated me throughout the night.  I slept very poorly while waiting for my phone to ring, and woke up to call them at 2:45 and 5:30.  I am also a little upset they didn't give clearer instructions on what constitutes a 911 emergency for him as far as a blockage goes, which is what is putting me in this nervous state.  He is currently curled by my feet grooming his paws and belly, though, and has not visited the bathroom in 20 or so minutes so he may be feeling a little better.  I think since his bladder is empty (and the nurse who called me back from my regular vet agrees), he is passing small amounts of urine every time he goes and some are so small I can't see the difference in the litter which is why it looks like he is not going.  The surge in visits to the bathroom this morning was probably because he spent a few minutes at the water fountain.  At least this is what I am hoping.  I am going to give it until his 2nd dose of Clavamox tonight.  If a few hours after he takes that he is still going and going then I will probably carry him back up there.   

I don't know what to tell you, but just wanted you to know that I'm keeping Garfunkel in my thoughts.  I'm sorry I have no advice for you.

parsleysage said:

Thank you Tricia, I really appreciate it.  Garfunkel is on a grain-free dry diet.  Long story but I stopped being able to afford the expensive wet food.  The cheap wet food caused extreme food aggression and other behavior issues so after enduring 3-4 months of that they switched to dry.  I do feet wet occasionally as I get some extra money.  He ate wet last night.  I bought some wet at the grocery store this AM before going to get him and will feed him that for a few days at least.  They do have a drinking fountain and he used that for a few minutes this morning.

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Have you seen this thread? Grain Free bad for male cats? It's confusing, but several people's cats (including mine) developed UTIs after being fed grain-free dry; other cats had no trouble with it.

jcat said:

Have you seen this thread? Grain Free bad for male cats? It's confusing, but several people's cats (including mine) developed UTIs after being fed grain-free dry; other cats had no trouble with it.

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Oh wow, I haven't.  Oh god... thanks for the info    In five weeks I'm moving in with my boyfriend and we will have surplus after the bills are paid, so tonight I think I will tell him we need to set aside some of that surplus for going back to the higher end wet foods.  Actually I should just take the plunge into raw.

Winchester said:

I don't know what to tell you, but just wanted you to know that I'm keeping Garfunkel in my thoughts.

 I'm sorry I have no advice for you.

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Thank you so much 

Garfunkel seems happy, he is currently pouncing/bunnykicking on a pen that was left on the floor.  I predict a surge of bathroom visits in a few minutes as I just fed them wet food mixed with lots of water.  So as that moves through I predict he will use the bathroom frequently as his bladder fills with a little urine at a time.  Then after that is cleared he will probably have another lull like we had in the last hour or so.  So I feel pretty good right now.  Can't wait for the 2nd dose of Clavamox though, that will do a lot for my peace of mind as well.

Antibiotics are not the only treatment for urinary issues. I'm not sure why your vet would tell you that. Treatment would depend on a diagnosis made with a urinalysis which I know you don't have but really need. Urinary issues can be caused by an infection (rare), stones/crystals, cystitis (meaning bladder inflammation). Blockages can be caused by stones/crystals or inflammation/mucus plug.

A lot of vets prescribe antibiotics even when there is no sign of an infection. Many cases of cystitis resolve within 7 days with or without antibiotics. However, unless the underlying issues are resolved, the symptoms will recur. As has been mentioned, diet and stress play huge roles in FLUTD cases. A wet meaty diet is best. Avoid grains and fish since both are very common inflammation triggers for FLUTD kitties.

Without a urinalysis, it's impossible to say what further treatment he may need. If he has stones/crystals, his urine pH may need to be adjusted. If he has inflammation, he may need pain meds/anti-inflammatories. If he has bladder spasms, he may need meds to address those. I would continue to watch him closely as the antibiotics may not address the underlying cause. He is still at risk of blocking.

vball91 said:

Antibiotics are not the only treatment for urinary issues. I'm not sure why your vet would tell you that. Treatment would depend on a diagnosis made with a urinalysis which I know you don't have but really need. Urinary issues can be caused by an infection (rare), stones/crystals, cystitis (meaning bladder inflammation). Blockages can be caused by stones/crystals or inflammation/mucus plug.

A lot of vets prescribe antibiotics even when there is no sign of an infection. Many cases of cystitis resolve within 7 days with or without antibiotics. However, unless the underlying issues are resolved, the symptoms will recur. As has been mentioned, diet and stress play huge roles in FLUTD cases. A wet meaty diet is best. Avoid grains and fish since both are very common inflammation triggers for FLUTD kitties.

Without a urinalysis, it's impossible to say what further treatment he may need. If he has stones/crystals, his urine pH may need to be adjusted. If he has inflammation, he may need pain meds/anti-inflammatories. If he has bladder spasms, he may need meds to address those. I would continue to watch him closely as the antibiotics may not address the underlying cause. He is still at risk of blocking.

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I think she meant the only treatment without a urinalysis.  He is not peeing frequently anymore and I'm not sure if this is good or bad.  (May be good because he may not have urgency to urinate anymore, may be bad because his bladder could be filling up and he may not be able to void it completely?)  Since his bladder may be fuller now, should I try to take him in for a urinalysis now?

What should I do, immediately, to try and prevent the blockage and what signs should I look for that he would be blocking?

I would probably take him in to get a urinalysis now so you don't have to take him to the evet later

jcat said:

Have you seen this thread? Grain Free bad for male cats? It's confusing, but several people's cats (including mine) developed UTIs after being fed grain-free dry; other cats had no trouble with it.

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So did Bugsy - He's been on Raw now and healthy.... which for me is the same as if he was on wet - many, many vibes for Gafunkel!

The major sign to watch for is trying to pee frequently and producing either very little or no urine. Then he is probably blocked.

I would try to do the urinalysis sooner rather than later. Can you do a free catch sample of his urine and put it in a sterile container to take to the vet right away? There are pros and cons to this method, but it's better than nothing.

Oh hun, I didn't see this thread! How scary.

He's peeing good sized clumps now? We had a scare with Tuxedo not long after he DID have a blockage. He was straining to pee... but instead of being blocked, his bladder wall was irritated (a small stone was embedded in the wall!), and so he FELT like he had to pee - so his bladder was empty.

But yeah - without a urinalysis there's really no way to know what to advise.