E. coli Bacteria infection AGAIN?!

kitkarsen

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Here goes my first post- 


My cat Moon is a one and a half year old rescue. (He's my first cat, so i've been trying to learn and be diligent/ attentive to him... but find myself so perplexed with this issue- 

He has had three separate issues involving uti and crystals in his urine- 

- While my vet wanted me to switch his food I have not switched to prescription urinary care and have instead just kept him on the weruva,  (having read several forums on this site). He gets mostly wet food and gets nutrisca dry food sometimes in a food ball

- Since having the first issue involving his urine/ cryals he hasn't been drinking water... he use to drink out of my cups or his bowl- I have had to add water to his food knowing this is a problem for him. I've tried several other options meanwhile... fountains, cups around the house, sink, etc... but adding to his food seems to be the most reliable- (though am still trying to make him learn to drink out of a fountain because that seems best)

While his urinalysis came back fine this most recent time (just got the results over the phone) , his culture showed-for a second time- that his urine is positive for e-coli. There is also another bacteria found which I can't remember the name of right now- which I have been told is harder to treat- maybe starts with a c. Not sure what medication he will be on- which they have to order and I have to wait for.  The last time he had a positive e-coli result he simply got a shot- am worried about this other bacteria that the vet said is more stubborn...... 


I'm worried that this bacterial infection seems to be recurring- and am unsure how to solve it or help him-- 

Any others who have dealt with this? Appreciate any comments or thoughts. 

Thank you! 
 

zed xyzed

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Just curious, how did the vet get a sample was via cystocentesis? Was he having bathroom problems?  Can you get the name of the bacteria from the vet and the antibiotic that the vet wants to use
 
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kitkarsen

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Yes, I will try to.

I collected the sample myself when Moon peed in the bathtub (its a spare, not in use) and I used a clean dropper. Not ideal but I wanted to get a sample in because he is so so difficult at the vet and I thought it would be helpful to know exactly what was in there. 

The vet seems to want to do cystocentesis after Moon has been on antibiotics to make sure the bacteria has cleared. 
 
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kitkarsen

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*Moon only ever seems to go outside the litter box (only in the bathtub really) when something is bothering him- otherwise he doesn't have litter problems. 

Trying to get a copy of the report so I can be more specific- 
 

zed xyzed

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There is a good chance that the bacteria that was culture came from how the sample was collected. 
 
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kitkarsen

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perhaps, and i thought of that- thank you for bringing it up- but because moon hardly ever goes outside the litter box i figured it was a tip off that something wasn't quite right 
 
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kitkarsen

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Not sure on the antibiotic yet but got the full report- the other bacteria is pseudomonas species, 
 

stephanietx

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We have another member here who's cat is currently being treated for a pseudomonas infection, but it's showing itself in the upper respiratory tract.  My Hannah battled pseudomonas in her upper respiratory tract when she was 2.  She's now 10 and has only recently had it flare up again.  Both my Hannah and the other member's kitty are on Zenequin, once daily.  Not sure if that's how the bacteria found in the urinary tract would be treated, but while pseudomonas is resistant to many drugs, some will work, but it will take a longer round of antibiotics to knock it back into normal ranges and you'll want your kitty to be re-tested to make sure that another round of antibiotics isn't needed. 
 
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kitkarsen

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Thank you for the response to pseudomonas. It seems that (as the vet stressed as well) a hard thing to kick. It seems also that a cystocentesis is necessary to make sure it is gone 


I had been noticing lately that he has been making these noises lately... I'll have the vet check to see if his respiratory tract is being affected as well. How did the pseudomonas infection in her upper respiratory tract present itself for Hannah? 
 

stephanietx

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Pseudomonas is present in all mammals.  There's a variety of triggers to cause the levels to be elevated.   I found this from a post I made many years ago.  I might explain the cystitis.
http://www.familyvet.com/Cats/Bacteria.html
PSEUDOMONAS
Although this bacterium is not a primary pathogen, it is a common organism found in chronic and recurrent infections, often of the ear canal and in some cases of bacterial cystitis. This organism has the nasty tendency to be very resistant to treatment, to have few antibiotics that will even work to kill the infection, and even when it has seemingly been eradicated, somehow makes a return appearance. Some cats with chronic pseudomonas infections will require constant treatment with antibiotic mixtures simply to keep the infection in check. All recurrent or chronic infections should have culture and sensitivity analysis done so that the most direct and practical treatment can be quickly begun. ((Pseudomonas Ear Infection))
Here's the link to the thread:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/203138/pseudomonas

If you treat the psuedomonas, then you might clear up the crystals and bladder problems!  Wouldn't that be awesome?  The thing about pseudomonas is that it is persistent and it can take several rounds of the antibiotic to treat it. 
 
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kitkarsen

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Thank you- really helpful and clear information. Really appreciate it!
 
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