Uti.

Gremlin was diagnosed with a UTI last night. I've started the pills as of last night and he is still peeing pink.

I'm probably overreacting, but how long does it usually take for the medicine to start working? I've had UTI's myself, but never to a point of blood.

I'm also getting a new kitten on Friday and I'm worried about this whole mess lol

Gremlin has good timing

Anyone?

It will take a couple of days for the antibiotics to kick in, as long as he is peeing give it some time. There should not be problem with your new kitten.

Originally Posted by Petnurse2265

It will take a couple of days for the antibiotics to kick in, as long as he is peeing give it some time. There should not be problem with your new kitten.

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Thanks. I'm just worried. I started giving him the meds Tuesday night and this morning it wa still dark pink. He is only going a little bit at a time still.

I'm actually starting to wonder if my vet did enough testing on him. All she did was take his temperature, look at his litter and feel around his lower abdomen. She said his bladder wa small, i.e. not blocked. She then prescribed clavamox and diazapam twice day for 7 days.

Clavamox is good (we don't usually prescribe Valium too), but UTI's can be stubborn so sometimes 2-3 weeks of antibiotics are needed, do keep a close eye on his progrees. He is peeing small amounts because the infection is making him feel like he needs to go to the bathroom frequently.

I find the situation slightly humourous because I'm prone to UTI'S myself and just 3 weeks ago I went under the knife to correct it. I've just never bad blood myself so I'm nervous for my little guy.

Like mother, like cat?

I would also ensure that he is on a good quality diet, one that will maintain a low urine pH. This will acidify the urine and make it less friendly to crystals and bacteria. A perscription food (like c/d or preventive) would do the trick or a good quality pet store food (eukanuba. nutro- I'm sure others will have more recommendations). Feed him lots of wet and try to increase his water intake (cat fountain, dribbling tap, big flat water dishes all over your house...) to help him flush out his bladder.

Originally Posted by Dr. Doolittle

I would also ensure that he is on a good quality diet, one that will maintain a low urine pH. This will acidify the urine and make it less friendly to crystals and bacteria. A perscription food (like c/d or preventive) would do the trick or a good quality pet store food (eukanuba. nutro- I'm sure others will have more recommendations). Feed him lots of wet and try to increase his water intake (cat fountain, dribbling tap, big flat water dishes all over your house...) to help him flush out his bladder.

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I am clueless when it comes to feeding wet food. I don't know how much to feed or how many times a day. He is used to having food handy all times of the day and I've been considering trying to schedule him times.. but I don't even know where to begin. PLus getting a new kitten could throw a wrench into the mix.

As far as how much to feed, it should say somewhere on the can. With perscription foods the staff at the clinic can help you figure that out. I would certainly try it. You can feed a 1/4 can in the morning and evening and leave some crunchies out during the day. When the kitten comes it might make things easier because they can each eat their own diet.

Originally Posted by home.slice

Thanks. I'm just worried. I started giving him the meds Tuesday night and this morning it wa still dark pink. He is only going a little bit at a time still.

I'm actually starting to wonder if my vet did enough testing on him. All she did was take his temperature, look at his litter and feel around his lower abdomen. She said his bladder wa small, i.e. not blocked. She then prescribed clavamox and diazapam twice day for 7 days.

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So, she didn't even do an urine test? Then how does she know he has UTI?
My cat was also put on antibiotics and they didn't help at all. It's because most cats with cystitis don't actually have an infection. They have crystals or irritation. And here I thought the vet I took my cat to was bad. At least they did want to do an urine test and x-rays.
My poor cat was suffering with it for a month, and antibiotics (two different kinds) were completely useless. I had to put him on prescription food Waltham's SO and anti-anxiety meds for him to get better.

I don't know what/if there are crystals he has, does that make a difference in my purchasing a new food for him? He is on a more organic food right now because he has loose stools.

Originally Posted by elizwithcat

So, she didn't even do an urine test? Then how does she know he has UTI?
My cat was also put on antibiotics and they didn't help at all. It's because most cats with cystitis don't actually have an infection. And here I thought the vet I took my cat to was bad. At least they did want to do an urine test and x-rays.
My poor cat was suffering with it for a month, and antibiotics (two different kinds) were completely useless. I had to put him on prescription food Waltham's SO and anti-anxiety meds for him to get better.

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No. He took his temperature, took a long feel at his belly to see if he was blocked up and checked the litter I brought in.

It does if you are trying to dissolve the crystals. I agree with eliz that not doing a urinalysis is a little weird. We ALWAYS perform one. You could ask your vet to do one just say that you are concerned that he may have crystals and you are thinking about changing diets. That way you will know if the diet he is on is keeping his pH nice and low. If it isn't you will need to change his diet.

Originally Posted by home.slice

I don't know what/if there are crystals he has, does that make a difference in my purchasing a new food for him? He is on a more organic food right now because he has loose stools.

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It's a prescription food, the vet has to get it. It's called Waltham's so. My poor cat had the exact symptoms you described, peeing everywhere and blood in the urine. His bladder was also very small when he would go to a vet, because he couldn't hold his urine. Antibiotics didn't work for my poor cat because he didn't have an infection.
It was idiopatic cystitis.

Do crystals promote blockage? Or not always?

Originally Posted by Dr. Doolittle

It does if you are trying to dissolve the crystals. I agree with eliz that not doing a urinalysis is a little weird. We ALWAYS perform one. You could ask your vet to do one just say that you are concerned that he may have crystals and you are thinking about changing diets. That way you will know if the diet he is on is keeping his pH nice and low. If it isn't you will need to change his diet.

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I would change vets. I imagine the first thing a vet should do is an urinalisis when cat presents with symptoms of urinary problems. Just prescribing antibiotics makes no sense, considering most cats with cystitis don't even have an infection.

My cat hasn't peed outside the box. however he did leak in his cage on the way there.. but he usually does that ebcause he is frightened.


What causes cystitis?

Originally Posted by home.slice

Do crystals promote blockage? Or not always?

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You have to watch for urinary blockage when cat is presenting with symptoms such as you describe.
The first vet I took my cat to said my cat didn't have crystals. The second vet said my cat did have crystals, so, go figure. All I know is that the new food had helped him and he is not peeing everywhere no more.

Originally Posted by home.slice

My cat hasn't peed outside the box. however he did leak in his cage on the way there.. but he usually does that ebcause he is frightened.


What causes cystitis?

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My cat peed on the vet, and on the table at the vets. He was a peeing machine every time I took him to a vet. I think they don't really know what causes cystitis in many cases, that's why it's called idiopatic. In some cases, it would be crystals in urine or bladder stones. Anyhow, there is no excuse for a vet to not even mention to you that your cat needs a urine test.

Maybe I should call them and ask why they wouldn't preform a urine test to at least see if there was a valid reason?

Would I have to bring in the cat for the urine test or just the litter?