Started with crystals, now I am not sure.

[mrsgreenjeens]

I meant the chicken broth that is in the baby food

  Wondered if THAT could be causing the issue.

You still might dry the puppy pads vs old towels.  Clean up is a heck of a lot easier

 

[angels mommy]

 
I meant the chicken broth that is in the baby food

  Wondered if THAT could be causing the issue.

You still might dry the puppy pads vs old towels.  Clean up is a heck of a lot easier

I agree. I don't like the sodium in the baby food either, so have only used it when Angel hasn't been eating, & needs prompting so to speak, by mixing some in his food. 

 

[czois]

You might want to supplement with TInkle Tonic, ours do not like the Rx perscription food at all, so we don't bother with them at all, esp given the ingredients. We just stick with grain free wet. :-)

 

[angels mommy]

 
You might want to supplement with TInkle Tonic, ours do not like the Rx perscription food at all, so we don't bother with them at all, esp given the ingredients. We just stick with grain free wet. :-)

Usually Rx food is necessary to correct the pH, & get it where it should be, in order to stop making the crystals.  I have never heard of Tinkle Tonic, what is it? Is it a Holistic tincture?

 

[czois]

If the cat will eat the rx food great. But it is generally overpriced and not the only choice.

But the other options may not generate income into your vet's practice, depending on
whether or not your vet is involved or trained in the area of Integrated Vet care, which is where

the future lies: including but not limited to nutrition, laser therapy, accupuncture, and  supplements.

Yes, you can check out Tinkle Tonic on Amazon, and Standard Process being one of the best supplement

companies in the world, offers a veterinary line of products which should not be overlooked.

I'm sorry your vet has not furnished you with this information.

We do not use Science Hill prescription products, not even AD critical care.

 

[kellie90]

Ok...I thank everyone for the wonderful information.  I did go onto Amazon and order the Cosequin for him to try, I was not quite sure about the Tinkle Tonic since I have not had good luck in the past with herbal supplements (nothing against them).  The vet did tell me that she would like him to stay on the canned RX food until he straightens out then he can go on a better food without grains preferably.  My husband and I both discussed the baby food (chicken broth/sodium) and have decided to stop it for a few days and see if there is any change in him. 

As far as an Ultrasound....believe it or not no vet in our county has an ultrasound machine, I would have to travel at least 45 minutes away.  At this point I will be honest with you, money is getting to be an issue as we have dropped over $1000 in one month, my Carecredit is maxed and savings is tight.  We would do anything we had to do to help our babies and if it comes to that point we will somehow find the funds and take him.  Again thank you everyone. 

 

[angels mommy]

@Czois, Thanks for the info. I looked up the Tinkle Tonic on amazon, & it has a lot of very good reviews!  Wish I knew about that a few years ago!  Haven't heard anyone here on TCS mention it either, so Thank you!

Kellie, wow, I'm so surprised that you would have to go that far for an ultrasound. That's a shame, it's so instrumental. Not only for urinary issues, but for so much more. Shame on those vets for not having such an important machine! 

 I understand about money. I'm still paying on my care credit form all of Angel's stuff in 2012, (& one filling for me)  between the emergency visits (2), & follow ups through that year w/ his vet. Ultrasounds, urinalysis, etc... BUT,  I love him so much, I would do it again if I had to pay for the rest of my life.  I'm sure we all feel the same about our babies. 

Do check out the Tinkle Tonic though on amazon as well. I read a lot of really good reviews. I wish I would have known about it a few years ago.  The price wasn't that bad for a smaller bottle to try. 16.00 I think.

It's definitely less than a vet visit. Well worth it.

I'm so glad you did get some cosequin & hope it helps for any inflammation, which I suspect he has. 

Keeping you in my thoughts 

Kelly

 

[kellie90]

Question:  Can I use the Cosequin and Tinkle Tonic together?

 

[angels mommy]

 
Question:  Can I use the Cosequin and Tinkle Tonic together?

Yes, I I don't think there would be any issues with doing that since they are both supplements.  The Cosequin is a joint formula, & that's why it's used for inflammation, & from what I read on amazon about the Tinkle Tonic, it's enzymes, so all should be good. 

Here's the link to the cosequin I buy for Angel, & one for the Tinkle Tonic I found,



Be sure to scroll down & read the review on the tinkle tonic, that's what impressed me! 

 You will relate. 

 

[kellie90]

Well it has not been a good weekend with our boy.  He was having a bit of trouble going potty although not a complete blockage (thank goodness).  He was going back and forth to all the litters doing a "streak" as I call it....long line of urine, he is evidently straining so much that the urine is just being forced out, a few cries when getting out of litter.  I realized that since the decline of  the Prednisolone (he started 1 melt 2x a day for a wk, then 1 a day for a week to now one everyother day (had 2 melts left) he has been have more trouble.  I could not get ahold of the vet yesterday so I gave him another Prednisolone last night to make it through until morning...not sure if this was the right thing to do, but felt I had no choice.  Not sure what is going to happen today as the vet told me that surgery was next option, however I am truly wondering if he may just have a severe UTI that did not get cleared up. Lots of questions that will need answered before any major decisions made....just do not want my little guy to be in any more pain.

 

[angels mommy]

Aww Kellie, I hate to hear that news. At this point, it may be worth going to the vet w/ an ultrasound, even though further away, it may end up costing less in the long run, & hopefully no surgery.

Before you do anything, I would call the vet w/ an ultrasound ASAP, & explain the situation, Tell the front desk that you may have a potential emergency, & need to talk w/ a vet for a phone consult ASAP, so you can make a decision. This way, you get a second opinion, & an ultrasound will show more than an X-ray can in this situation I believe. They will be able to really see whats going on in there w/ the ultrasound & hopefully be able to diagnose/treat better than your current vet. Like I said, it may cost less in the end to do this, if your vets only other option is surgery. I truly believe an ultrasound will give them a better assessment, because they will be able to see. 

Saying extra prayers for your little guy!

Keep me posted, 

Kelly

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Keep us posted as to what the Vet says

 

[kellie90]

Just got back from the vets.  More x-rays were taken, urinalysis, along with IV fluids to help protect harm from steroids, a Acepromazine inj, Dexamethasone inj and a Torbugesic inj.....surgery is scheduled for Wednesday morning.  A different vet looked over all the xrays and really does not see stones (but they could be there), however she is noticing a "nipple" at the end of the bladder in both sets of xrays.  No crystals were found in urine.  She feels at this point surgery would be the best option since nothing seems to be helping this little guy.  I feel pretty good with this option at this time after sitting down and talking with the vet.  I know that my little buddy can not keep going thru this....let alone me (I have not gotten more than 3-5 hr of sleep each nite since this all started over a month ago).  Maybe now we can at least get answers and find out what is causing his problems.  I will keep everyone up to date...and thank you for all your support.

 

[nansiludie]

 I do wonder if he has any bladder stones, some can be dissolved with diet, some cannot.   I will leave this link regarding Dr. Piersons info about it. For me, I've had good experiences with following her advice for my Whiskers. She does do consultations as long as you have the complete kitty medical files and Dr. notes. I was faced with having to make that surgery decision for my cat, but as explained to me, the surgery is quite extensive and there is a risk of scar tissue narrowing what is left of the uretha and along with life-long risk of UTI. I will say for some cats, it has helped them immensely, but for some it has not. I do not want to scare you or alarm you, I want you to be aware of the good and the bad outcomes there may be. The surgery is expensive as you probably already know and its usually done by a specialist as it is the rearranging of the male urinary system.

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=urinarytracthealth

I just saw the posting you posted up there, I'd like to ask a quick question, do you think it could be stress induced Cystitis? Could they possibly given him something to help calm him and reduce stress? I am sorry to be pushing along like this, but I think that surgery should really be used only if you've entirely exhausted all other options.

 

[nansiludie]

Also last post, they can run a culture and sensitivity test, its a little more comprehensive than a urinalysis and it can check and see if there is any bacteria or infection in his urine. If you do have it done, be sure they get a sample by aspirating with a needle from the bladder. That way it won't be contaminated.

 

[angels mommy]

Yes, I agree with all of that. That's how my vet gets urine from Angel for a urinalysis. While he's laying on his back for the ultrasound in the "V" shaped cushion they call the "kitty taco" she uses a long needle, isolates his bladder w/ her hand, & goes straight in for a quick sample. Looks horrible, but he does fine.

 

[momofmaxwell]

Hi I am sorry your little guy is going through so much.may i suggest you join the feline flutd groups.Crystals,stones,cystitis,fus etc.Almost every urinary problem kitties can have.your right about the dry food.throw it out the door.Water is crucial.flushing the bladder.usually after a diagnosis of a uti & antibiotics are administered then after so much time a retest has to be done on the urine.Food,stress,inadequate amounts of water ,supplements,treats etc can all cause crystals.Pls jon.Their link is https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FLUTD/info

HTH Honey.Hugs to your babe.they also know of natural soothing products for urinary issues too that are cheap & very helpful.

 

[nansiludie]

I do hope his family sees these postings before the surgery, its such a invasive and permanent thing.

 

[kellie90]

Again I want to thank everyone for their suggestions and advice, I have read everything posted and looked up a lot of the information suggested.  We are going ahead with the surgery tomorrow because quite frankly we feel that we are out of options.  I refuse to keep pouring medications (chemicals) into him with no good results, nothing we have tried has worked (3 different antibiotics, 2 different steroids, vit c shots, pain killers, rx food).  The stress from this alone is starting to effect our other cats as I am always on edge right now thinking he is going to block and I will not be able to get a hold of a vet,    Our vet ,whom I trust, feels that this is the best thing to get him better.  The vet will be exploring the bladder tomorrow to check for stones (which could be likely) and also the "nipple" growth at the end of the bladder.  I realize that some of you may not agree with this decision, however I ask that you send our little one a prayer or two tomorrow, we are only doing what we feel is best for him.  I will let you know how things go, thank you everyone. 

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Sometimes you're definitely between a rock and a hard place

Sending those famous TCS vibes for your boy, and YOU too