Painful decision tomorrow: Need advice please.

That is such great news!!!! So happy to hear it

I had one cat live exclusively on the low ph food - it did the trick and James was fine with it. He liked it too, he had no worries switching over to it.

It's probably similar to the other prescription cat foods for the same problem, she just happens to prefer Eukanuba brand to the others, like hills SD. I know royal canin and a couple of other brands have a similar product to prevent crystals.. does she know what type of crystals? I think someone else has a kitty with crystal issues that is on a different brand that to me sounded quite good to me.

They did do a crystal test and they did tell me what kind, I can't remember. I was really distraught those first few days & in between me rolling the awful thoughts through my head I missed what type of crystals he had.

All I know is I am just counting minutes til tomorrow morn. She stated the Eukanuba low ph stuff was the best for cats with those types of crystals so apparently they did do the crystals test, I just didn't hear what type. I was real dang worried.

I still worry but knowing the worst is over and knowing he's coming home has put a smile back on me face!

He still may have more tests ahead of him... the Xrays & air test of his bladder showed nothing, but she said about 2 inches up, he's got thickening that makes the catheter hard to pass. She said that is unusual, but maybe it is still inflamed/sore.

Eukanuba is a well respected producer of catfoods and you may wish to discuss switching all of your cats over to this diet. If your vet suggests a low PH food, that means it makes the urine more acidic so Snickers had struvite crystals. Acidic urine prevents strivite crystals from forming and the diet will go a long way to preventing a re-occurence.

I am really glad that Snickers is doing so well.

Kathryn

Hans is on the moderate pH diet by Eukanuba. He loves it, as does all my other boys! The canned is a huge hit, as well. It smells so good I think I'd eat it if I had to!

I'm sorry to hear the ordeal you and poor Snickers had to go thru.

I'm very glad though to hear he's now doing better and coming home with you.

You must be so happy! Snickers is a very beautiful boy and I wish him many healthy years still with you!

it would be cruel i think to do that
there are many medcines for crystals and you can always try another vet

Hi guys,

I just picked Snicky up from Dr. Wilson. He's sitting by the water bowl right now licking himself. She said he will still be sore for a few days (who wouldn't after all he went through) so he might be licking himself alot.

He's on pain meds & anti-inflammatories, and also antibiotics. I just have to watch him VERY CLOSELY these next few days. His bladder is back down to the size of an egg (I felt it myself, she taught me how) and he has peed several times on his own. Poo'ed, too, which is great!!! Dr. Wilson said Snicky has been eating great these past 2 days (in her care).

He's looking bright & alert, and very happy to be home. Can hear him purring from here. She said if it seems he's not peeing I have to take him back to the ER Vet or to her on Monday. I am going to hope & pray that he keeps on peeing and doesn't block up again. He shouldn't, cuz he's on Eukanuba now. It's the low PH stuff meant for cats.

The bill came to $1,000... lower than I thought. I did not dispute anything "yet". I have the bill, and it is broken down: Dr. Hungler and Dr. Wilson. It's itemized, so I can go through and check off the things I shouldn't have to pay for. I'm hoping I can go in there next week (once I am certain Snickers is "out of the woods") and show them what I think I should have been charged for. Maybe they can reverse some of the charges, or credit me or something? or even just give me a major discount for the next time I come in. Just glancing, it looks like Dr. Hungler's damage came to around $100 extra that I was charged for and should not have. Anyhoo I'm just so darned thankful to have Snicky back I would have paid double.

I did get a discount of $160.00 for being a multiple-pet household. I've seen other Vets do that.

So anyway I have my boy back and today consists of following him around & hugging & kissing him A LOT. Wish me luck, wish Snickers luck.

"Snickers Mom"

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This is great news!!! I'm so happy for you and Snicky!!! Really glad you went for a second opinion - what an enormous difference that made in the outcome of all this!

I hope it won't be awkward for you now to go to the animal hospital, since it's only Dr. Wilson you want to see. Will it be a problem for you since she only works part of the week? I'm wondering what will happen when she's on maternity leave, too... You may still want to line up another vet to "fall back on" when Dr. Wilson isn't available.

Love the picture of Snickers on his back - looks like you caught him in the middle of rolling around for joy (LOL)!

I know you'll be watching him like a hawk - he's a very lucky boy to have such a devoted and loving mom.

My best wishes to you and Snicky for lots of good luck and a quick recovery!

Originally Posted by cangus

I'm in a similar situation, Stephanie, tomorrow we are taking Murphy back to the vet to get put down. He had a kidney failure, and is extremely malnurished. Like your situation, it is merely an effect of an aging cat. Murphy's 12 years old. I wish you the best of luck.

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I am so sorry for you and your family, especially murphy. we are in the same situation right now and i found this forum for some comfort. we are putting Frances Mae to sleep tomorrow. She had surgery for a mass in her throat a month ago. It turned out to be cancer. She hasn't eaten or drank in a week...they told us after x-rays and ultrasounds that the cancer is all in her abdomen, spleen, everywhere.

We are devistated! We brought her home to be with her, trying to make her comfortable. We are trying to remember that we had 10 years with her amazing spirit! This is hard.

Good luck to you and thanks for listening,
Meredith

That is wonderful news...wishing you and Snickers all the best

Originally Posted by meredithanne

I am so sorry for you and your family, especially murphy. we are in the same situation right now and i found this forum for some comfort. we are putting Frances Mae to sleep tomorrow. She had surgery for a mass in her throat a month ago. It turned out to be cancer. She hasn't eaten or drank in a week...they told us after x-rays and ultrasounds that the cancer is all in her abdomen, spleen, everywhere.

We are devistated! We brought her home to be with her, trying to make her comfortable. We are trying to remember that we had 10 years with her amazing spirit! This is hard.

Good luck to you and thanks for listening,
Meredith

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Meredith,
I am so very sorry for you. I faced this decision last week, we had to PTS my sweet Joshua last Saturday. I will be thinking of you, and hope there is a bit of comfort in knowing that she knows you love her very much, and soon there will be no more discomfort for her.

Meredith & Frances Mae, Joshua & Pat & Alix my heart goes out to you all HUGS!!

Just wondering how Snickers is doing. . .

To all human & feline families who have to go through experiencing PTS - my condolences. We just got our sweet Fafa PTS this Monday. We miss him sooo much, he's our baby. He had FIP, it was making him uncomfortable, and we had no choice but to send him to the Bridge. Although Fafa had been with us for three short months, the joy he had given us was enormous and we can't thank him enough.

To Snicker's Mom: Congratulations! I'm so happy that Snicker was able to pull through. Lucky you for having such a compassionate vet.

I'm still kind of baffled (and mad at Dr. Hungler) for what went on last week.

It comes to this: Dr. Hungler is a "Dog Person" and Dr. Wilson is a "Cat Person". Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. Those out there who say "Vets love all animals" are wrong, cuz Dr. Hungler was basically telling me that my funny, healthy, nutty Snicky was better off dead than to "endure tests & more anesthetic".

Anyway, my update as of March 9th:
Snickers is doing VERY well. It is amazing. That I went from thinking what I was thinking last week ( ) to seeing him being himself this week.... he is still licking himself 'down there' because he is still very tender, from having the catheter put in 3 times versus the ONE time it shoulda been put in! He is MUCH easier to give medicine too (still on antibiotics & antiinflammatories)... cuz he follows me around everywhere. I have this green towel I call the "cat towel" cuz it's what i use to wrap the cats in when I have to give meds. Hammie would squirm & kick & break free from the towel, but Snickers is gentler and loves to be held so the meds are going down easily.

Snickers is purring, playing, rolling, jumping. He and Hammie have been nose-to-nose wrestling. Sleeping on my legs every night as usual, walking up for kisses when the alarm goes off as usual, sitting on the toilet gazing at me as I get ready. Last night, I witnessed his first "catnip attack" after the boys ate their 'nip... he likes to run through the house & attack corners of walls (???). I told all this to Dr. Hungler last week as she told me "he is old" and well I still stand firm, my 14 yr old cat has more energy than my fat 3 yr old cat!!!!

Snickers HATES the Eukanuba. Will NOT eat that Low-PH stuff. He prefers the Iams that my other cats are now on. I'm dropping by the Vet here in a day or two to pick up this stuff called CP. Some other form of prescript low ph stuff??? They said that's what they fed him while he was there but most cats prefer the Eukanuba. I told them, Snickers calls it Pukanuba and turns his nose up at it!!!

He's full of life though! Just as he was before the blockage. I'm so happy to have him back, you can only imagine. My feet got awful cold while he was gone those few days and I was a mess last week. He climbs my legs to beg for human food, drags his catnip sock all 'round the house, you name it, he's back. He is still sore but he is pooing and peeing and the Snickers we all love.

I did not dispute the bill. I am just not going back to them UNLESS I can see Dr. Wilson. For ER situations I'm going to another Vet in my city.

(((((*HUGS*))))) to everyone... to everyone who supported my panic & fear and to those who have lost their furbabies this past week.

Here's a pic of my lovely boy looking out the patio door. He's a lil dandruffy from the Vet stress, but otherwise beautiful!

Snickers is gorgeous and so reminds me of my Tyler (who I call my Panther-Man's, as one of his nicknames) who blocked this past Summer and is just a bit older.

This has turned out to be a wonderful result, I am so SO happy for you both.

That is wonderful news! Snickers is a really beautiful looking cat:-). He reminds me of one of the ones I used to have named Robbie - same profile and same black fur:-). Robbie was very special too.

I fully understand your comment about 'dog' vets and 'cat' vets. Vets may 'like' all animals, but a cat vet more than likes cats - they appreciate and respect and value cats. It sounds to me that Dr. Hungler may be having other issues affecting her in her life - she sounds 'burnt-out', as if she has lost her interest in treating animals. I agree with your decision to see only Dr. Wilson or go to a different clinic.

All the best for a continuing uneventful recovery for Snickers.

Kathryn

What great news. Snickers looks like he is full of interest in life and long may it continue.