Multiple Issues

Hello,

I'm hoping some of you feline experts may be of some help with suggestions regarding a cat I am fostering.

She is around 10-11 years old with mild hypertension, on Norvasc 5mg 1/4 t sid. She also has a history of

urinary crystals so must eat either Hill's C/D or RC S/O. Add to that, she has chronic yeasty (black granules)

ears. No one will adopt this poor kitty. She is so lovely and still so youthful. As soon as they hear a pill once a day,

they run the other way.

My questions are the following, does anyone have any food recommendations that are appropriate for the crystals

but also hypo-allergenic to prevent these constant ear flare-ups? Please don't suggest the vet. I work for one and

this is where she came from. She was surrendered to us as we are also the council pound.

If I return her she will likely be euthanized if no one adopts her. :-( I am seeking alternative suggestions.

My other question, we are in Australia and will be returning back to the U.S. in a few months. We are considering

adopting her but really don't know how well she would do on such a long-haul flight in cargo for 20+ hrs considering

all her health issues.

Someone at work suggested sub-cut fluids just prior to boarding which I think is one common sense approach to

the possibility of doing this.

Thanks so much in advance.

Robin B.

some people have had luck putting their fur-babies on L-Lysine to beef up their immune systems.  I found a couple of thread that discussed it, here is just one of them:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/144551/yeast-infection-in-her-ears

If you read the above thread, you will see that wheat and corn are two contributors of yeast infections in ears, and both of the prescriptions foods contain one or both of these items   So...now to try to find foods available in Australia that might be suitable.  There are plenty in the USA, but don't rally know what you have over there. 

Maybe something in THIS thread will be helpful on the food front:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/254489/alternatives-to-expensive-urinary-so-food

You still have the issue of needing to pill this sweet girl.  Does she pill easily, or does she take them well in pill pockets or in food or anything?  I would think if she's easy to give them to, all a potential adopter needs is to be shown, and voila.  Not so, huh?

Thanks very much Mrs. GreenJeans. I will check out the other threads you mention and yes, the food choices here are more limited but considering I am headed back home in April she might have to hang in there until I get back home. And if she's joining us then I can begin various food trials in earnest. Pilling her is not a huge issue although it does take a certain technique to get that pill down her throat. :-/

Still hoping some angel will come along so she can stay local but it's been almost a year that she's been at the hospital.

Thanks again!

I don't have any advice for the medication or preparing for a long-haul flight, but I wanted to ask what airline you're flying home? Qantas only allows service animals in the passenger area, but Singapore Airlines will allow pets on as checked baggage. Of course, you'd still have to deal with the food, drink and elimination problems on such a long flight, but at least he wouldn't be in the cargo hold. And, of course, that's if you can't find someone in Oz to adopt your cat, which would be the best solution of all :-)

Ah, that's good to know, about Singapore air. I think I am flying home on Virgin but we are going to look into JetPets because it might offer a discount because the vet I work for has some arrangement with them. Thank you for your suggestion!