Miss Sophie and the bacteria that won't leave her alone...

Sigh. To bring everyone up to speed, here's Sophie's story.. a 16 year old companion with hyperthyroidism (3.75 mg Methemizole daily), high blood pressure (0.625 mg Amlodepine Bensylate daily), oh and she has a heart murmur. Back in July she was diagnosed with an Enterococcus infection in her kidney. She was put on a regimen on 3 mg. of Amoxicillin daily for six weeks. Of course, this reeked havoc on her digestive system which I tried desperately to counteract with Fortiflora (she hated it) and then later, a baby probiotic purchased from the natural food store. Long story short, she was off the antibiotics a week ago today. Two nights ago, we spent the evening at the emergency vet when she began urinating blood and uncontrollably, while also straining when she was in her box. They indicated that her bacteria was likely never completely killed/flushed due to her diminished kidney function. So back on Amoxicillan she goes - only problem is, now I am completely unable to get her to eat. All the usual suspects turn her stomach and when she's not throwing up, she's having liquid stool. I have cyproheptadine that i can administer but pilling her with it causes foam and vomit. Mixing it with food, well that isn't happening since she's not eating. I'm at my wits end and feel terrible that she's in so much pain, urinary, stomach or otherwise. Any suggestions to make my gentle friend more comfortable would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Well, since you are able to pill her, have you tried putting the cypro into a gel cap so it gets in her without her being able to taste anything.  I think she is tasting it and that is what is causing her to foam at the mouth when it's given.  Also, has the Vet not given her anything for nausea.  Like Cerenia (a shot), or with all her other ailments, can she not have that?  Same with Pepcid A/C (which is also bitter, so maybe you could give it to her in the same gel cap as the cypro?).  I know kidney cats can have that, just don't know whether thyroid cats can. 

Now, you mentioned she is in pain.  Does she have pancreatitis, or is she in pain from the kidney infection or what.  Can they not give her any pain meds either?

If she will not eat, you need to assist feed her.  (syringe feed her, maybe with Hills A/D, which is nutrient rich) 

Okay, as to probiotics, FortiFlora is pretty much useless as a probiotic...it's single strain as I recall.  Most of us just use it as a food topper, IF our cats like it. Two of mine love it, one hates it.  For probiotics, here is one that several of us use:        I give my kidney cat 1 capsule per day, albeit mixed in her food, because she is NOT easy to pill, and because normally I can get her to eat at least some food

BTW, if amoxicillin is causing her to vomit, have you discussed a different antibiotic?  My last kidney cat used to act like he was dying everytime he had to take any antibiotic, but there may now be newer ones on the market.  I'd certainly ask my Vet about it.  That could very well be the cause of her not eating . 

Oh, and I guess you know not to give the antibiotic and PRObiotic at the same time.  Let at least a few hours lapse in between giving them.

Thank you very much for the suggestions. Unfortunately, the only other antibilitic that works for the type of bacteria that she has is Clavamox which was even worse on her little belly. I do give her the probiotic mid-day so as to avoid any further damage to her system. I'm just concerned as she is supposed to be on Amoxicillin indefinitely at this point and I'm not sure how long it will take for her system to regulate, or if it will happen at all. She is a very small cat to begin with and not eating has never been her thing.  Thank you for the help, she's my whole world and it's tearing me up that she is going through this.

What about zeniquin?  I was just on the yahoo group for kidney cats, and that was being discussed as a good antibiotic for UTIs.  Being on an antibiotic forever is not a good option I wouldn't think .  Won't it stop working after a while, just like in humans?  

Anyway, maybe you could ask your Vet about the Zeniquin? 

Do you live anywhere NEAR a Veterinary University ?  If so, I would think about taking her there to be seen.  They are probably up on the latest and greatest treatments, and I know this particular "bug" is a difficult one to treat, but I have to think there must be other options (if the Zeniquin isn't one)  If nothing else, perhaps your Vet could consult with Cornell or University of Davis or some renown Vet University