Male Cat Urinary Block - Recovery

[Losnow20]

So my 6 year old male cat recently had a blocked urinary tract. I took him into the emergency vet on 12/26 and just picked him up this morning, 12/29. They let me know that they didn’t find any signs of crystals or bacteria in his urine. They inserted a catheter on 12/26 and removed it at 1am today. The vet said he was eating and producing urine just fine. I was sent home with 4 different medications and told to watch him closely. We’ve been home for about 3 hours now and he’s been to the little box every 3-5 minutes. He has produced a very small amount of urine but nothing substantial. He is also going outside of the litter box with a drop or two of urine. He seems to be struggling to urinate again but he hasn’t had anything to drink since I picked him up so that might be the culprit. I’m just really nervous because I had to pay $2000 for his initial procedure. I can not afford to have this happen again. The vet will recheck him within 12 hours and waive the emergency vet fee of $104. Should I wait and take him in closer to the 12 hour mark just for peace of mind? I hate to see him no himself and still struggling.

 

[Neo_23]

Is he eating at all? If you think the fact that he's not drinking water is the issue then I would only offer him wet food. Actually, if I were you I would cut out the dry food completely from here on out.

Did the vet say what you need to watch for specifically?

 

[Losnow20]

Is he eating at all? If you think the fact that he's not drinking water is the issue then I would only offer him wet food. Actually, if I were you I would cut out the dry food completely from here on out.

Did the vet say what you need to watch for specifically?

He’s not eating yet. He’s taking a nap at the moment which is a good reprieve from his constant bathroom visits and wandering. I do have him usually on a wet food/dry food combo. It’s blue buffalo too so I know it’s not the cheap stuff. I might get him to eat when he wakes up.

 

[Neo_23]

He’s not eating yet. He’s taking a nap at the moment which is a good reprieve from his constant bathroom visits and wandering. I do have him usually on a wet food/dry food combo. It’s blue buffalo too so I know it’s not the cheap stuff. I might get him to eat when he wakes up.

You may find the information written on this website by a veterinarian with expertise in nutrition helpful: Cat Urinary Tract Diseases: Cystitis, Urethral Obstruction, Urinary Tract Infection

 

[Losnow20]

I took him back to the vet and they said it had blocked back up and would be another $2000 to unblock but it still might not work. They recommended surgery but I can not afford it. I already spent $2200 on the first emergency visit. I am so very sad because I know if I had the money my baby could probably be saved. But I don’t and he isn’t getting better. He is urinating in tiny drops that seem painful. He urinated the bed while sleeping on the pain pills last night, but it still wasn’t substantial. I keep holding out hope he’s just inflamed from the catheter and it will get better. Am I selfish to keep waiting when I know my baby is suffering? I just want to give him time to recover if he can. I had to put down my last cat but he was 21 years old and there wasn’t anything I could do. What’s killing me about my cat now is that I know there are things to be done, but not things I can afford. When do I know it’s time to call the vet?

 

[Antonio65]

This is a very terrible situation!
How many chances are there that a second surgery could save your Max?
Isn't there anybody that can lend you some money to pay this surgery? Some friends or relatives? You could set a plan for returning their money.
Knowing when it is time to call the vet is a hard task. It's always too early, it's always too late. Only who knows the cat very well can undertsand when their time is up...
I'm so terribly sorry

 

[Losnow20]

The vet said his bladder was full and they had to squeeze it. Looks like it reblocked is what the vet said. I can’t afford to have the catheter in place again. So here is where it gets weird. I am preparing myself to say goodbye to my cat because he can’t urinate. But when he sleeps he wets the bed! He can’t control his bladder when he is unconscious. How can he be blocked like the vet said if he pees while sleeping? There have been 3 total instances where he is asleep and when he wakes up he is in a puddle of his own urine. Now I know that’s not the best thing, but isn’t any urine good?

 

[Kitty Mommy]

Have you asked your vet if he/she would be willing to take payments? Or maybe try Care Credit? Or another vet that would be willing to work with you? I am so sorry that you are facing this situation. Animal or human, getting medical care should never have to depend on money.

 

[Losnow20]

This is a very terrible situation!
How many chances are there that a second surgery could save your Max?
Isn't there anybody that can lend you some money to pay this surgery? Some friends or relatives? You could set a plan for returning their money.
Knowing when it is time to call the vet is a hard task. It's always too early, it's always too late. Only who knows the cat very well can undertsand when their time is up...
I'm so terribly sorry

I tried calling my mother but she said he’s a cat and not worth it. I’m already going into debt wih the first surgery since it’s just me paying and I don’t have a double income. The doctor said another catheter might or might not help. No guarantee. The only guarantee is the surgery which can cost around $3000 they said. This would have me $5300 in. There is no way I can afford that. I’m so conflicted though because I know he can’t urinate and is in pain. But when he sleeps and is totally relaxed he can. I just woke him 30 minutes ago and he was in a pile of pee

 

[Losnow20]

Have you asked your vet if he/she would be willing to take payments? Or maybe try Care Credit? Or another vet that would be willing to work with you? I am so sorry that you are facing this situation. Animal or human, getting medical care should never have to depend on money.

Yes I already had to put the first payment on care credit. It’s only a 6month promotional one though so it’s still about $400 /month. I can’t afford $800/month or more. That’s more than my mortgage! I looked around and the rates are pretty standard. I never even knew urethra obstruction was a common thing until this week.

 

[Antonio65]

Animal or human, getting medical care should never have to depend on money.

What keeps shocking me are the fees for veterinarian cares in US! I wonder if those vets really love animals or they love their wallets more

 

[Losnow20]

What keeps shocking me are the fees for veterinarian cares in US! I wonder if those vets really love animals or they love their wallets more

I didn’t consider animal insurance since he’s always been the healthiest cat ever. Never once had an issue with him, not even fleas. I think any future cats or dogs I will get insurance for. This is ridiculous. I feel so guilty because I don’t make enough.

 

[Kitty Mommy]

I'm so sorry It's very hard to watch a beloved cat suffer and the decision you are facing is impossible.

 

[Antonio65]

I didn’t consider animal insurance since he’s always been the healthiest cat ever. Never once had an issue with him, not even fleas. I think any future cats or dogs I will get insurance for. This is ridiculous. I feel so guilty because I don’t make enough.

It's not your fault. The vets should be ashamed of themselves. It's them that put pet lovers in desperate situations. I don't think they have a conscience!

 

[Kitty Mommy]

I know, its just crazy! We've spent what seems like a small fortune on vet care this year. Hyperthyroidism, IBD, cardiomyopathy, an autopsy, tooth resorbtion surgery, euthanasia for a horse.... I had not thought about pet health insurance before either but it would certainly have come in handy this year! I know vets have bills to pay to and maintaining medical equipment and facilities is expensive but I really hate that cost is factor when deciding on pet health care.

 

[Losnow20]

It's not your fault. The vets should be ashamed of themselves. It's them that put pet lovers in desperate situations. I don't think they have a conscience!

Yes it’s hard. Although there has been a little change in him in the past few hours. He still isn’t able to pee in the box but when he is asleep or unconscious he can pee! He’s peed the bed 3 times today, and not small amounts. The vet didn’t know what to tell me though. He doesn’t know what to make of it, but he said any pee is good pee.

 

[piakay]

Yes it’s hard. Although there has been a little change in him in the past few hours. He still isn’t able to pee in the box but when he is asleep or unconscious he can pee! He’s peed the bed 3 times today, and not small amounts. The vet didn’t know what to tell me though. He doesn’t know what to make of it, but he said any pee is good pee.

Hi - just wondering what happened to your act? I'm going through the same thing with mine right now. We had him in the hospital and he reobstructed as soon as we got home - we're trying one more time but if it doesn't work we're going to relinquish him as we don't want to pay for the surgery right now.

 

[Sallysoo]

I am bit confused here. You mentioned he pees in his sleep and has pee 3 times today. So aren't that enough? He still wants to pee when he is awake? Is it because he is in pain and feels that he wants to pee? Sorry, I may not know that. My kitty pees 2-3 times a day.

Yes vet bills is high. Here in Singapore too. I do wonder it is that kind of market rate and they won't give free or lower the charges as not to spoilt the market. Therefore, here people that can't afford vet bills just let the pet dies by itself painfully. Not to even mention paying for helping them to cross the rainbow, some owners won't waste that kind of money.

To add : I may not afford a lot for surgery / hospitalization / specialist in cases of chronic illness, but I will save up for helping my kitty to cross the rainbow, especially he is of certain old age and life quality is a diminishing factor....here just a needle to end their life cost a few hundreds...

 

[maggiedemi]

Try cutting out the dry food and feeding only canned food.

 

[meowmylexi]

Hi! Hugs! Any updates?