Can someone help me out please? I'm at my wits end

[countrygirl576]

Long story short I have a 14 year old cat who has had interstitial cystitis of her bladder for the last 10 years. 8 years ago she had a bladder stone removed. All was going fine most of the time. Nothing major just a few upsets now and then. She gets cosequin twice a day, was on pain medicine twice a day but last few years just when she needs it. I also changed her dry food to one that was low in something so she wouldn't form anymore crystals/stones. I can't remember the name but it came from France. All has gone down hill BIG TIME since July. In January she was diagnosed with over active thyroid and in July (this year) diabetes. She was on thyroid medicine until it was stopped beginning of September and her insulin went down to 1/2 a unit twice a day from 1 unit twice a day but for some reason her bladder problem is in over drive. I did have to take her out of town to the pet ER because my vet couldn't get her in and she looked in bad shape so I know that stressed her out and having to take her to my vet on and off for blood work stresses her out. Last month her pee looked brownish with a red cool-aid look to it. Vet gave her antibiotic injection. 1 1/2 weeks later her pee looked just like cool-aid but they gave her another antibiotic injection. All seemed good for a few days and that's it. She meows alllllllllllllllllllll the time at me. She paces all over the place. (She only has canned food now due to her diabetes) She wants to eat all the time but she can't because of her diabetes and she will drink to much water and throw it up. I have had blood work done (complete panel) 3 times in the last 2 months. I don't know how many pee tests. X-ray said all was fine. I have to take her tomorrow for a follow up with my vet and when I talked to him on the phone last week he talked about an ultrasound on her bladder to check for stones/tumor. Her stone 8 years ago was found on the x-ray and I really do not want to put her through anymore. Plus I'm pretty much maxed out on cash/credit. I googled bladder tumors and they have the same symptoms of the interstitial cystitis so what should I do? I know they will want to sedate her and I really do not like the idea of that and I don't mind spending the money on the ultrasound but I do know vets and people doctors like to run tests after tests after tests. I have intersytial cystitis so I know how she feels and there is really nothing for it. I do use the Feliway plug ins and sprays. I know this is a long 1st post and thank you so much for reading to the end. Any helps or ideas would be ever so grateful.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Long story short I have a 14 year old cat who has had interstitial cystitis of her bladder for the last 10 years. 8 years ago she had a bladder stone removed. All was going fine most of the time. Nothing major just a few upsets now and then. She gets cosequin twice a day, was on pain medicine twice a day but last few years just when she needs it. I also changed her dry food to one that was low in something so she wouldn't form anymore crystals/stones. I can't remember the name but it came from France. All has gone down hill BIG TIME since July. In January she was diagnosed with over active thyroid and in July (this year) diabetes. She was on thyroid medicine until it was stopped beginning of September and her insulin went down to 1/2 a unit twice a day from 1 unit twice a day but for some reason her bladder problem is in over drive. I did have to take her out of town to the pet ER because my vet couldn't get her in and she looked in bad shape so I know that stressed her out and having to take her to my vet on and off for blood work stresses her out. Last month her pee looked brownish with a red cool-aid look to it. Vet gave her antibiotic injection. 1 1/2 weeks later her pee looked just like cool-aid but they gave her another antibiotic injection. All seemed good for a few days and that's it. She meows alllllllllllllllllllll the time at me. She paces all over the place. (She only has canned food now due to her diabetes) She wants to eat all the time but she can't because of her diabetes and she will drink to much water and throw it up. I have had blood work done (complete panel) 3 times in the last 2 months. I don't know how many pee tests. X-ray said all was fine. I have to take her tomorrow for a follow up with my vet and when I talked to him on the phone last week he talked about an ultrasound on her bladder to check for stones/tumor. Her stone 8 years ago was found on the x-ray and I really do not want to put her through anymore. Plus I'm pretty much maxed out on cash/credit. I googled bladder tumors and they have the same symptoms of the interstitial cystitis so what should I do? I know they will want to sedate her and I really do not like the idea of that and I don't mind spending the money on the ultrasound but I do know vets and people doctors like to run tests after tests after tests. I have intersytial cystitis so I know how she feels and there is really nothing for it. I do use the Feliway plug ins and sprays. I know this is a long 1st post and thank you so much for reading to the end. Any helps or ideas would be ever so grateful.

How I wish I could be of help! Here at TCS there are CAT ARTICLES (see top of page) and I found THIS: A Feline Diabetes Story – TheCatSite Articles but you might want to peruse the other listings to see if one or more may be informative for you. I am also hoping that by starting replies, others will post who will be more helpful.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Has the vet discussed trying either non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or anti-spasmodic meds to see if that might help? It might be that the antibiotics weren't the answer. As I am sure you know, cystits can lead to bladder irritation up to and including inflammation - without always leading to an infection. Spasms are common with cystitis as well. You don't say what pee tests were done, but the only sure way to confirm an infection is through a urine culture. There are forms of bacteria that will appear as if they might be related to an infection based on just a urinalysis, but ruled out when the culture is done. Blood in the urine is not an absolute guarantee of infection either.

What was the reason for discontinuing the hyperthyroid meds? Usually, unless a cat is on specific foods that don't contain iodine or they go through radioiodine treatment, the meds are a life long endeavor. And, without them, the symptoms of the disease are likely to contribute to the stress level of a cat.

All of the behaviors you described are pretty classic for a hyperthyroid cat, and some overlap with diabetes too. The symptoms will dissipate some with proper treatment. Since hyperthyroidism causes a general increase in the body's metabolic rate, it will have an effect on diabetes management. Often, a cat that is hyperthyroid requires higher doses of insulin in order to maintain the blood glucose levels near normal. As the hyperthyroidism is brought under control, the metabolism slows to a more normal rate, and the insulin dose needs to be adjusted. So, if she is not on hyperthyroid meds, her insulin dosage may actually be too low and contributing to her overall discomfort - and stress.

Odds are she doesn't have bladder cancer, but there is no way to attempt to rule it out without the ultrasound. You could try other treatment methods, up to and including some of the things I've mentioned above and see what happens before moving forward with the ultrasound - but that is call for you and your vet to make. If you do go through with the ultrasound, ask about using a pre-anesthetic (butorphanol 0.2 mg) sedative which has analgesic effects only lasting about 40 minutes - just long enough to get the ultrasound completed, with the sedative effect dissipating within a couple of hours.

Feeby (~17 yo) received this sedative and showed no signs of residual effects when she came home. I also had a specialty vet group perform the ultrasound, and they do many without even having to sedate a cat. In my case, they said they would only administer the sedative if it was determined to be necessary to successfully complete the procedure, so it wasn't just automatically given to her. I do think, however, it is probably rare when a sedative isn't needed - Feeby had to have it just so they could shave her belly!

 

[fionasmom]

Welcome to The Cat Site! I have very little to add to what FeebysOwner advised. I am sorry that you are facing such a complicated problem with your girl. Fiona had hyperthyroid and two other cats I have owned were diabetic...never one cat with both conditions though. As I understand this, you are giving insulin? I would put her back on some thyroid meds, unless there is some reason you did not post that she could not take them. I do think that you are at the place for an ultrasound on the bladder, and not because I think that she has cancer, but because this has persisted. Having said that, did the vet try an x ray this time?

 

[countrygirl576]

The thyroid medicine was stopped 2 months ago because her overactive thyroid problem stopped. She was very weak suddenly and the blood work showed her thyroid levels were way to low. They lowered the dose to 1/4 tablet twice a day from 1/2 tablet twice a day but her thyroid levels stayed to low so they took her off it it. She had blood work 3 times since then and her thyroid levels are still good. She started with 1 unit of insulin twice a day and is now down to 1/2 a unit twice a day and her diabetes started in July this year. My other cat was diagnosed with diabetes in December last year. Three months ago she was taken off insulin for good. Unless it happens to start up again. Twice I had to give her corn syrup to get her sugar back up. She has been tested 3 times since and it still is good. I changed their diet and the diet worked to get her off insulin. No more dry food/treats and the cat who is not diabetic anymore loved cheese but vet said no more of that. I am hoping it will happen with this cat as well. Only took 6 months for the first cat to get off of insulin. So I'm hoping maybe by January next year or sooner she will be off insulin too. The vet told me they could go into remission for both insulin/thyroid with food changes and they normally like to try food changes first but their sugar was way to high and already showing signs. I even had people tell me their cats went into remission but I didn't believe them.
Things went really bad later that night and thought by yesterday morning I was going to lose her. Got her in to see the vet in the morning and the doctor was very worried about her too. Might have to take her to a specialist. Her vitals were good so they did the in office blood work and it showed she had a very bad infection. She had an antibiotic shot twice last month for an infection. I had been going to another vet for many years and they told me only 2 antibiotics were given to cats. One they all threw up (which was a liquid) and my one cat was so bad after taking it I had to take her to the ER hospital. From then on they only had the shot. When I started going to this new vet I told them they could only have the antibiotic shot. The doctor told me yesterday that shot really doesn't help anything and there are other antibiotics to use. Plus medicine to give for throwing up too if that happened. They wanted to give her fluids (she was very dehydrated) and then do an ultrasound to look for stones/tumors and also get a pee sample with the needle to send out to get the right antibiotic for it. Ultrasound showed no stones/tumors. They did not sedate her for the ultrasound. I'm not a big one on sedation unless they really have to but they said they didn't have to and they do not like sedating if they don't have to either. I can't tell you how happy I was that I was bringing her home alive. Was sure that was not going to happen. After bringing her home she was acting much better. Amazing how fluids and an antibiotic can make all the difference in a short time. They gave me antibiotic pills to give her until they get the pee test results back. I stayed up with her again last night just to make sure she does fine with that medicine. So far so good. She is sleeping a lot and still looks sick but I imagine she doesn't feel good yet and with no sleep at all Sunday night and what she went through yesterday she will be tired. I know I am still tired from no sleep Sunday night. At least she is quiet, not hiding anymore and no more constant meowing. I am so thankful I left the old vet and found this new one but just wish I had left years ago. Then my other cat would still be alive.
Thank you for all the responses.

 

[fionasmom]

Thank you for taking the time to post the outcome. You have worked very hard with this cat to try to see her through all these medical problems. The idea that only two antibiotics can ever be given to cats is odd; there are easily 5 very popular and frequently used antibiotics and probably many more which are less used but still appropriate as needed. I am glad that you found this new vet and hope that your girl makes a complete recovery.

 

[countrygirl576]

Well, I am taking her back to the vet this afternoon. She seemed better this morning but then she wasn't. Found out she will only drink standing water now. For the last 13 years (she's 14 now) she would only drink running water but she is drinking every 5-10 minutes. Then I finally got a pee sample and it's still bloody. Plus she moaned before peeing and her tail was still shaking while peeing and right after that she started meowing again like she did all Sunday night. I know a bad bladder infection is very painful. But have no clue how long it takes before it gets better with her. They wanted another pee sample and told them I threw out the one I just caught but I will try again. Ugh...............I'm just so drained physically and mentally but here is hoping it just needs more time for the infection to go away. She's had all blood work, x-ray and ultrasound so not sure what other tests could possibly done. Oh, she will have one more blood work to test her thyroid. I should have had them do that Monday when I was there but Doctor said it didn't really needed to be done and now she will have to be poked again.

 

[countrygirl576]

I also put her back on the pain medicine.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Amoxicillin is the "best" for UTIs in humans. It is also prescribed for cats. Is this what she is getting?

 

[countrygirl576]

Amoxicillin is the "best" for UTIs in humans. It is also prescribed for cats. Is this what she is getting?

She is getting Enrofloxacin. Long time ago she had Clavamox and it made her very sick so she can't have Amoxicillin. Two weeks ago she had an antibiotic shot and all was going good until Sunday night. She also has intersytial cystitis (has for 10 years now) and I know that is acting up too so she has to whammies going on at once.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Ask the vet to run a urine culture to check for the most appropriate antibiotic for her particular infection, if she has one. While any antibiotic might help reduce the level of infection, the urine culture will identify what antibiotics her infection is sensitive too - improving the odds of eradicating it altogether. And, sometimes an infection will require a longer duration of antibiotics as well - the standard 5-10 days isn't always enough.

Please talk to the vet about if the thyroid and diabetes conditions could be attributing to her stress level and adding to her bladder issues. And, don't forget to discuss anti-inflammatories and/or anti-spasmodic meds too.

 

[countrygirl576]

Ask the vet to run a urine culture to check for the most appropriate antibiotic for her particular infection, if she has one. While any antibiotic might help reduce the level of infection, the urine culture will identify what antibiotics her infection is sensitive too - improving the odds of eradicating it altogether. And, sometimes an infection will require a longer duration of antibiotics as well - the standard 5-10 days isn't always enough.

Please talk to the vet about if the thyroid and diabetes conditions could be attributing to her stress level and adding to her bladder issues. And, don't forget to discuss anti-inflammatories and/or anti-spasmodic meds too.

They sent out the pee on Monday to be tested and the vet said it could take up to 5 days for the results. But to get her started and help her out (she was at deaths door Monday morning) he started her on this one. Her sugar was checked Monday and it was a little high but I couldn't give her the insulin that morning because she wouldn't eat but thank you for reminding me about that. She did have her insulin right along since yesterday morning so will have them check that along with her thyroid. Oh, anti-spasmodic medicine my other cat (Who has interstitial cystitis too was on that. You could see her urethra spasming. ) had it and I will have to ask about that as well. Thank you for refreshing my memory.

 

[tarasgirl06]

They sent out the pee on Monday to be tested and the vet said it could take up to 5 days for the results. But to get her started and help her out (she was at deaths door Monday morning) he started her on this one. Her sugar was checked Monday and it was a little high but I couldn't give her the insulin that morning because she wouldn't eat but thank you for reminding me about that. She did have her insulin right along since yesterday morning so will have them check that along with her thyroid. Oh, anti-spasmodic medicine my other cat (Who has interstitial cystitis too was on that. You could see her urethra spasming. ) had it and I will have to ask about that as well. Thank you for refreshing my memory.

My mom used to get bladder infections. She always got Gantrisin for them and they cleared up. I looked up whether this can be helpful for cats and could not find any information. You may want to note this name down and ask her doctor about it.

 

[countrygirl576]

Things have gone from bad to worse. Never should have taken her back to the vet to see that other stupid doctor. She did wrong with my other cat back in Feb. She gave her a b12 shot.. little fluids and then blah blah blah. Specialist blah blah blah. I'm to upset to even tell all what she said. Well, at 6:10 pm tonight I was watching tv and could hear my cat making non-stop noise with her nails. (Still haven't cut them so I can hear her) I got up to see what she was doing and she was walking around in a circle non-stop!! I picked her up and held her but that didn't help. I called my neice who is a vet tech and in another state and she said sometimes b12 shot can cause that. It has to do with the inner ear problem. Give her 2 hours and then give her that pain medicine I didn't want to give her. It will help to calm her down and ease any pain she is having....go god!! What is it with stupid vets!! She stopped circling but was walking around like she didn't know the place and checking it all out so I put her in the doggie pen. That way she will be safe. I'm trying so hard not to have a nervous break down but I don't know how much more I can take of this. My niece also said taking her to the vet hospital wouldn't help either. No more tests could be done and they would just give her that pain medicine too. Another long night ahead...I just hope she settles down. I can't take anymore.

 

[tarasgirl06]

Things have gone from bad to worse. Never should have taken her back to the vet to see that other stupid doctor. She did wrong with my other cat back in Feb. She gave her a b12 shot.. little fluids and then blah blah blah. Specialist blah blah blah. I'm to upset to even tell all what she said. Well, at 6:10 pm tonight I was watching tv and could hear my cat making non-stop noise with her nails. (Still haven't cut them so I can hear her) I got up to see what she was doing and she was walking around in a circle non-stop!! I picked her up and held her but that didn't help. I called my neice who is a vet tech and in another state and she said sometimes b12 shot can cause that. It has to do with the inner ear problem. Give her 2 hours and then give her that pain medicine I didn't want to give her. It will help to calm her down and ease any pain she is having....go god!! What is it with stupid vets!! She stopped circling but was walking around like she didn't know the place and checking it all out so I put her in the doggie pen. That way she will be safe. I'm trying so hard not to have a nervous break down but I don't know how much more I can take of this. My niece also said taking her to the vet hospital wouldn't help either. No more tests could be done and they would just give her that pain medicine too. Another long night ahead...I just hope she settles down. I can't take anymore.

Can you switch vets? If so I would absolutely recommend it. And as helpful as your niece might be trying to be, she is not an authority on feline health. And each cat is an individual just as each person is. You've done the right thing by keeping her safe. I know it's difficult during these pandemic times to get any vet appt., much less find a new one, but your sweet cat deserves it and if you can, I would strongly recommend that be the next step. Note down all of her symptoms and drugs prescribed so you can take them or email them to the doctor. I've never heard of B-12 shots causing those symptoms, but B-12 does give energy to humans and to cats. My Sun had them regularly as part of his treatment for dry-form FIP and they helped him immensely, with no side effects. That was him. Your cat may have a different reaction. Try to change course and see if you can't find another vet. Please keep us informed.

 

[countrygirl576]

I just changed vets last December. There aren't many to pick from because I've been to some in the past with my dogs and one of the awful vets I had at the other place went to work for one of the few vets I haven't been to. She finally settled down at 8:20 pm. I fed her..she ate and I gave her all the meds. I don't really want to take her to anyone else. She's been through enough and it really hasn't done much good except for Monday. Which was the only good vet there that saw her and he's booked out for a month. All places are booking out and some aren't even taking new patients. I'm going to wait and see how she does. That's all I can do at this point really. She's had every test, blood work done more then once on some. I'm thinking maybe she just needs to stay home and calm down herself. A lot of this could be stress related too. I did google walking around in circles and it says ear infection can cause it. antibiotics are given for it which she is already on.

 

[countrygirl576]

5 minutes ago (9:55 pm) she was calmly sitting at the door of the pen wanting out so I let her out. She walked normally to the kitchen. Ate food off the plate. Drank some water and laid down in the kitchen. She's been up a little walking around. If she stays the same then I will leave her out of the pen. I am hoping to try and get a little bit of sleep tonight if I can. All depends on how she does. It must have been the b12 shot. Never again....never again

 

[tarasgirl06]

5 minutes ago (9:55 pm) she was calmly sitting at the door of the pen wanting out so I let her out. She walked normally to the kitchen. Ate food off the plate. Drank some water and laid down in the kitchen. She's been up a little walking around. If she stays the same then I will leave her out of the pen. I am hoping to try and get a little bit of sleep tonight if I can. All depends on how she does. It must have been the b12 shot. Never again....never again

Hoping and praying that whatever the cause, it is not affecting her any more and that her health will improve! Wishing you both a good day.

 

[countrygirl576]

She finally settled down to normal at midnight. I finally fell asleep. Woke up at 2:30 am and checked on her. She was in her hiding place resting. Not sleeping but at least no more pacing back and forth to the water bowl to laying on the kitchen floor. I made a bed with blankets for her so she has something soft. This morning she is acting normal but looks tired/sick still but at least she isn't hiding. If the chipmunk goes past the window she does get up quickly to try and get it so I guess that is a good sign. Still waiting on the pee test results but the doctor is out of the office today anyways and I refuse to deal with the others anymore. I'm not taking her anywhere else. Want her to calm down and get stress free. That is the only thing to help her intersystial cystitis part to get better. As I was told growing up "if you want to live long stay away from Doctors and Hospitals". It's true too. Thank you for asking about her.

 

[tarasgirl06]

She finally settled down to normal at midnight. I finally fell asleep. Woke up at 2:30 am and checked on her. She was in her hiding place resting. Not sleeping but at least no more pacing back and forth to the water bowl to laying on the kitchen floor. I made a bed with blankets for her so she has something soft. This morning she is acting normal but looks tired/sick still but at least she isn't hiding. If the chipmunk goes past the window she does get up quickly to try and get it so I guess that is a good sign. Still waiting on the pee test results but the doctor is out of the office today anyways and I refuse to deal with the others anymore. I'm not taking her anywhere else. Want her to calm down and get stress free. That is the only thing to help her intersystial cystitis part to get better. As I was told growing up "if you want to live long stay away from Doctors and Hospitals". It's true too. Thank you for asking about her.

I absolutely agree about what you were told growing up. My family had the same mindset and I live by it. If you break a bone and need it set, or in my case if you need eye surgery, then you have to go. Otherwise? Avoid them like the bloodsucking plague they are.
Good on ya for sticking with the good vet. It's a tough call when someone you love is in your care, you have responsibility for them, and they aren't well. I've had the same dilemma all my life. Bottom line is no one gets out of this alive; but my MO has always been prevention via the best diet I can afford, best lifestyle I can live, and trying to limit stress, which kills, but which is unavoidable in these times....I try to provide the best life, diet, and environment for my beloved cats and myself. It's not perfect -- it would be better if I had more financial strength and options. But it's better than most, I think. Getting some good rest often helps a lot.