Snickers is still doing his litter box "dance" after treatment

The vet called and left a message the other night that Snickers urine had some abnormal crystals and had a pretty high PH, maybe a change of diet would help him. He had gotten the 2 week antibiotic shot when we were in there last Friday, got 3 days of a pain pill, is getting a compounded liquid that is supposed to help relax the urethra (when we can catch him, he's onto us), we were giving him an herbal product called "Tinkle tonic" but not much, and he still goes from litter box to litter box, just sitting there mostly, not seemingly in pain or straining, he DID go last night as I saw and heard him, but we want to help the little guy out, I don't want him to drive himself nuts with this, and I know if I call the vet they'll say "bring him in" which will stress him more and run up another $380 vet bill! He IS stressed, the other cats are chasing him for some reason, he IS a more neurotic cat to start with, and I did see and read that stress can play games with them and cause this behaiour, plus Deb and I keep trying to catch him to give him his medicine so that is more stress! But he stands there and lets us pet him, blinks at us, "shivers" his tail so he can't be that bad, looks out the window etc. like normal, no crying in pain etc., just hopping in and out of the box many times with no results!

I am going to call the vet and at least talk to them about it; any suggestions would be appreciated and thank you!

Les

If he only got an antibiotic and pain pill,and something to relax his urethra, but nothing to help break up the crystals, then he may still need intervention, depending on how bad the crystals are, or if they are now blocking his urethra.  It's good that he went last night...that means he isn't blocked, or at least he wasn't last night.  But he's obviously still having issues. 

You are right that STRESS is very bad for him, particularly right now.  Is there any way you can separate him from the others for awhile.  Give him his own space to chill and recover?  Also, you discussed changing his food, but did your Vet prescribe any of the "crystals" food?  There are foods that specifically work on breaking up the crystals, but it really depends on which kind they are (the crystals), which kind of food. 

Here is an excellent article that you may find helpful:  http://www.2ndchance.info/fus.htm

As to his meds, can you mix that liquid into a little bit of food to get it in him.  I know it's critical that he get a full dosage, but depending on the taste, maybe you could mix it with a little bit of really stinky food, just a little, to make sure he eats it all, then feed him more food after you make sure he's had his full dose of medication.  That way he won't stress out too badly.

mrsgreenjeens said:

 
If he only got an antibiotic and pain pill,and something to relax his urethra, but nothing to help break up the crystals, then he may still need intervention, depending on how bad the crystals are, or if they are now blocking his urethra.  It's good that he went last night...that means he isn't blocked, or at least he wasn't last night.  But he's obviously still having issues. 

You are right that STRESS is very bad for him, particularly right now.  Is there any way you can separate him from the others for awhile.  Give him his own space to chill and recover?  Also, you discussed changing his food, but did your Vet prescribe any of the "crystals" food?  There are foods that specifically work on breaking up the crystals, but it really depends on which kind they are (the crystals), which kind of food. 

Here is an excellent article that you may find helpful:  http://www.2ndchance.info/fus.htm

As to his meds, can you mix that liquid into a little bit of food to get it in him.  I know it's critical that he get a full dosage, but depending on the taste, maybe you could mix it with a little bit of really stinky food, just a little, to make sure he eats it all, then feed him more food after you make sure he's had his full dose of medication.  That way he won't stress out too badly.

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Thank you very much for this information! The vet said to keep giving him the compounded liquid medicine to relax his urethra, and they also suggested Feliway; we do have a defuser with it but they said maybe put another one up since we have 9 cats. It is very hard to isolate him as we have a small Cape Cod house, so we will try to relax him and the others. They also said there is a type of food that helps with urinary issues and also stress so I might give that a try. But I like the article and will call them to see if they can tell me what kind of crystals he has/had. He's not bad but he's not quite right, we want him to be okay. And plus just losing Sebastian is also stress and playing into this situation.

Thanks again!

Les