Struvite crystals (sorry, very long)

baileys mom

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Hello, everyone, I am new to this board as I have never had any problems with my cat and ususally have them with the dogs. I will try to give as much background info so you can make an informed opinion.

Bailey is my 2.7 year old, neutered male, indoor cat. He actually thinks he IS a dog because he has grown up with 2 dogs and has never been outside to meet other cats.

He is fed premium food, 1/8 c Evolve dry and 1/6 can of Natural Balance wet twice daily and we use World's Best Cat Litter which we clean daily to every second day.

Whew! Background done.

On Sunday, I noticed he was lethargic and licking his "p" which he never does. I checked his litter box and there was one large clump of wet litter. I cleaned it out at 5pm, checked with hubby who couln't remember if he had cleaned it that day or the day previous. By the next morning, he had still not peed or pooed so I called the vet and took him right over.

His bladder was large but not hard, it was still quishy so I caught it in time. The vet kept him overnight, put a cathater in and tested the urine. He had 2 "cellular blockages" and tested positive for Struvite crystals. The one comment was that "she was keeping him until he peed freely". She removed the cathater at 3 pm the next day and I picked him up at 4:30. Hadn't peed freely.

She changed his food to Medi-cal wet and dry. First night home, he ate it, but picked at it the next morning, still hasn't peed. Called the vet, told to bring him back in. Bladder fullish, but not danger zone, took him back home, didn't pee til 10am next morning (Wed). Still won't eat food, so took it back in the meantime, we give him only wet Natural Balance until I get home with food. Still hasn't peed.

Eats NEW food, drinking water out of new fountain, nothing in litter box. Friday morning I come home from work, still nothing and I notice him in the closet, "sort of sitting in peeing position". Nothing on floor when he comes out, call vet AGAIN! (been on phone or in office every day since bringing him home). Bring back again!

Now, I'm pissed.

New vet says he is probably blocked again and that this time it is probably the "psfinkter" (sp?) spasming not letting him pee, common occurrance whn bladder is tramatized. Thereapy is valuim and some other drug to relax, put back under, blah, blah, blah....

NOW, for the point of this whole thing.

I think the original vet let him out too soon. He wasn't peeing freely as she said she was going to make sure of, and we had problems every day that week. (My vet is on holidays). I feel they should have kept him (less tramatic than going back and forth) until they knew his finkter wasn't going to spasm.

Has anyone else ever had this problem and can anyone give me some layman help with this to understand?

Thank you in advance
 

ocicat_steph

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were you not given any antibiotics for this cat? i would get a second opinion personally as a vet nurse that vet seems to be giving you and your cat the run around.
 
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baileys mom

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yes, I was given anti-inflammatories and anti-biotics for him, but obviously, they didn't work.

A call today revealed they have done x-rays and there are no stones blocking him. They are going to keep him until his "shyfinter relaxes
 

ocicat_steph

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Originally Posted by baileys mom

yes, I was given anti-inflammatories and anti-biotics for him, but obviously, they didn't work.

A call today revealed they have done x-rays and there are no stones blocking him. They are going to keep him until his "shyfinter relaxes
you mean sphincter? that's the muscle of the anal opening...
 
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baileys mom

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Originally Posted by ocicat_steph

you mean sphincter? that's the muscle of the anal opening...
I think it's both, the one that prevents him from going pee and the other that prevents him from going poop. I know, I have the names wrong and the spelling wrong as well.

Talked to them again this morning. They are keeping him til tomorrow and keeping the catheter in until late tonight or tomorrow morning. Then they will monitor him until he pees. He had a big poop last night (I'm so proud!) and is eating well and is comfortable.

They asked if I wanted to come visit, but I think it would be too hard on him to have me leave him there again. I hope I made the right decision
 
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