Conference misery::feline_v1

    It *sounds* like Lightning may have cystitis. The blood and straining
    are typical symptoms.
    
    It's not good, but it is easily treatable. Aja had it once and came
    through with flying colors. 
    
    Good luck!
    
    Edd

    I'll say a prayer for Lightening, Sandy!  I had to leave Kelsey
    and Shelby at the vets yesterday for neutering and they also looked
    at me like it was their last time seeing "mommy."  I almost cried!
    But they're home now safe and sound and no worse for the wear.
    
    You reacted wisely and Lightening is in safe hands now.  Keep us
    posted on her progress.
    
    
    /Roberta
    

    Melody had it too and, after getting medication, was better right
    away.
    
    One thing to watch for later is a relapse.  After a week or so of
    being better, she exhibited the same symptoms.  The vet had me
    switch her food and they gave her a couple of extra steroid tablets
    (used to clear up the inflamation--antibiotics for the infection).
    She has been fine ever since.
    
    Barbara
    
    PS  The vet told me that female cats recover from cystitis more
        easily than males do so that may work in Lightning's favor.

    
    
    Any progress reports yet?
    
    F.

    Don't worry, you did the right thing and Lightening will be fine
    in a day or two, and she will be very grateful to you for saving
    her life.
    
    Jo

    Just talked to the vet.  No news yet.  Lightning hasn't gone to
    the bathroom yet so they don't have a sample to do a diagnose. 
    They asked permission to give her something to *make* her go.  I
    gave it.
    
    Won't know ANYYYYthinggggggg until tonight just before I leave here.
    Will post something if they give me any news...........
    
    Sandi (worried Mama)
    
    
    

    Don't they do a catheratization (sp?) if necessary to relieve the
    pressure?  I assume they are monitoring her to be sur she isn't
    at a danger point in turns of pressure.....
    
    signed,
    
    worrry wart
    

    Usually it's the male that can get into an emergency situation where
    there is complete blockage. A female needs attention but usually
    doesn't completely block.  You're doing the right thing. Try not
    to worry...

    Alright....all you SMART GUYS... that includes you Edd....
    
    It is cystitis.  I am on my way to see if she can come home tonight
    or has to stay overnight.
    
    Now.......the big question.  How do I prevent this from happening
    again????
    
    Being a mommy is such hard work...............
    
    Sandi (thankful Mom)
    
    

    The vets will probably give you antibiotics for her.  They may also
    recommend feeding her a special diet.
    
    As far as prevention goes, all of my experiences with this have
    been with male cats.  They are in great danger of blocking up. 
    The vets have prescribed urine acidifiers and Science Diet C/D.
    Usually, I have been able to stop the urine acidifiers after about
    3 weeks, and then the C/D keeps the urine acid level where it should
    be.
    
    I don't know whether or not any of this applies in the case of a
    female cat with cystitis.  Maybe someone with experience with this
    problem in females could tell you more.
    
    Also, you probably gave your permission for them to "express" her
    bladder so that they could get enough urine to test.  This is usually
    done manually, and is a way of squeezing the bladder in just the
    right way to release some urine.  This is a very difficult thing
    to do and should never be attempted by anyone other than a vet.
    In the case of male cats, it can sometimes be too dangerous to attempt
    to express the bladder, and in those cases, they will usually
    catheterize the cat.
    
    Jo

    I thought both a urine acidifier and CD at the same time was not
    good -- too much.  Didn't someone say that in another note recently?
    Sweetie and Holly get CD;  Jasper next door gets an acidifier and not
    CD.  All three are okay since the change in diet/addition of the
    acidifier.  All three (2 males, 1 female) had had problems
    in the past.
    

    I've had cystitis in several of my female cats before.  It seems
    that often, once one cat gets it, it goes around.  The cats get
    put on some type of antibiotic, but it's been so long, that I can't
    remember which one.  I've never been requested to change the diet
    for the females.  Cystitis seems to be no real big deal for the
    female cat, while, for the male cat it can be life threatening.
    
    my experience
    cin
    

    Is the acidifier something the vet gives, like a prescription,
    or is it something you can buy to feed your cat as a preventative
    measure?
    
    lp
    
    

    Aja got a bottle of BIG pills to eat. (They hard part was only giving
    her *one*. She loved 'em!!)
    
    When they were gone, so was the cystitis. It hasn't re-occured.
    
    Every cat I've ever known (aja and my mother and father's 6) have
    announced the presence of cystitis by urinating (as best they can)
    in the bathtub. Must be some sorta tradition...
    
    Edd

	It sounds like cystitis in cats follows the same pattern as for
	humans: it's much more common in the female, and much more serious
	in the male.  Part of this is due to the fact that the urethra in
	the male is much longer, making it harder to get to the bladder,
	and more likely to block up completely.

	As a sufferer of the human variety since age 7 :-(, I can tell you 
	that one of the most important things is to drink a lot of water.
	It's hard to explain that to a cat, but of course you want to 
	make sure that there's always plenty of fresh water available.  I 
	would even take a sudden drop in water consumption as a sign that 
	something might be going wrong -- little kids who get bladder 
	infections tend to avoid drinking, because they know it'll hurt 
	when they pass it.  I don't know if cats make that connection, but 
	it wouldn't surprise me.

	Beverly

    Well, Lightning is home.......
    
    She is still bleeding but I was told that would stop.  She has a
    pill to take 3 times a day.  She definitely is NOT a pill-taker.
    
    I also have a bag of CD dry for her and the others.  I now have
    3 VERY unhappy campers.  Thunder is wondering why I am STARVING
    her and DejaVu is hiding in the closet.  Lightning is eating (a
    little).
    
    Edd.  so far Lightning has not followed in Aja's tradition.
    
    Sandi
    
    

    Sandi,
    
    I am glad that Lightening is home with you and on the road to recovery.
    BTW - how did the kitten sexing go?
    
    Regarding C/D and acidifiers being administered concurrently, this
    was an extreme case, with blockage recurring every three to four
    weeks.  It was combination C/D and acidifier treatment, or make
    him into a female.  The cat and I discussed it and he said he would
    prefer the medication and special diet to having a sex change
    operation.
    
    Jo
    
    

    Sandi,
    
    Am so glad that Lightning is ok.  As I said earlier, when Melody
    had it they gave her a few steroid pills to be fed in decreasing
    doses which was to stop the inflammation.  They also gave her an
    antibiotic.  
    
    About a week and a half of being fine, she exhibited symptoms again.
    The vet gave her a couple of additional steroids and a couple of
    cans of C/D (she was still finishing off the antibiotic).
    
    That took care of it and she has never had a reoccurrance.
    
    The worst part was before the medication took affect (about a half
    day).  The poor kitty just sat in her box and looked up beseechingly
    at me as if wondering why I wasn't making it better.  That I couldn't
    stand.
    
    Barbara

    I'm glad that Lightning is better.  I went through the cystitis
    crisis about six years ago with my two older cats (Sheba, now 8
    and Marco Polo, now almost 7).  Sheba took sick first, with the
    same symptoms exhibited by Lightning.  As has been mentioned before,
    when Po developed it he nearly died.  After four days in the hospital
    the vet released both cats (those were, to be sure, four of the
    WORST days of my life).  I took home one cured kitty (Sheba), one
    kitty afraid to eat (Po) and four ten-pound bags of C/D.
    
    Po refused to eat for about three more days after he came out of
    the hospital.  I was FRANTIC!  The vet suggested tempting Po with
    some extra-special treat so I got some roast turkey breast and shredded
    it.  After about four hours of coaxing Po finally ate some of it.  I 
    was so relieved, I almost cried.  
    
    Anyway, both Sheba and Po recovered fully; all three of my cats have 
    been on C/D ever since.  Although Jasmine, the youngest, never 
    developed the disease, the vet said it was a good idea to restrict her 
    to C/D along with the others.
    
    I hope Lightning is fully recovered soon!
    
    --Sally
                                       

    Sorry this is so late - I haven't logged into FELINES for a while
    and am just catching up!
    
    My newest kitty, Mocha, has been battling cystitus for the past 4
    months now.  I just adopted her last December, and she's been back
    and forth to the vets three times with blockages.
    
    Each time she is given a shot (a muscle relaxer to help her go)
    then is put on Clamavox for 2 weeks.  The first time, the doctor
    restricted her diet to low ash foods.  I fed her the Friskies brand
    low in ash.  The second time around the dr. suggested Prescription
    C/D only.  The problem is, we have two other cats, and I feed them
    Friskies and separate them at feeding time.  Apparently, Mocha was
    eating whatever little crumbs were left on the mat, and that was
    enough to block her up again.  So now, we're VERY careful about
    cleaning up behind the other cats.  If she gets blocked up a fourth
    time, my only alternative is to feed everyone C/D (which I've been
    trying to avoid because of the expense - but if it's between money
    and the health of my kitties - I'll take my kitties anyday).
    
    I hope everything turns out OK for Lightning!
    
    Pam

    Pam, C/D may seem more expensive at first, but you really only need
    to feed 1/4 to 1/2 cup a day to maintain your cats body weight and
    nutritional level.  Compare this to the amount of friskies that
    you have to feed and you will start to see that C/D is not that
    much more expensive.  Also, buying the largest bag will give you
    the maximum savings.
    
    Another plus, less lumps in the litterbox since C/D has less filler
    and more nutrition per serving than Friskies or other commercially
    available food.
    
    Good luck with her, hope she is better soon.
    
    Jo

    I bet the C/D is cheaper than the vet bills. . . 
    
    

    re: C/D  I second that, Jo.  It certainly is NO MORE EXPENSIVE
    than regular store food and far better for them.  I'm feeding
    5 cats now on about $45/month.  And the vet said last Saturday
    at their checkups that there definitely is a marked improvement
    in the tartar on their teeth.  Mao had a definite problem with
    her teeth which has cleared up.  we were considering some sort
    of intervention but don't have to now.
      How much is that worth?
      Nancy DC
    

    Gee Nancy, that seems like a lot of money for 5 cats.  
    I have been using the Old Mother Hubbard for about 3 years now,
    and the kids have no tartar, just shinny coats.  I feed about 4
    or 5 14 oz. cans a day - along with the large pan of Blue Seal
    Kat Kare - I get a break on the cases of OMH because I buy
    about 15 cases at a time - It is costing me about $65.00 to
    feed 18 cats - no blockage problems (thank God) no teeth problems
    just a bunch of healthy kids (thank thank GOD).  If I can get the
    OMH for $13.50 a case, it's cheaper than anything I can get in the
    supermarket and it's a better quality food - what's inside the can
    actually smells good and smells like real meat! not 1/2 a can of
    water.
    
    It's funny, so many of the vets are now saying that urinary blockage
    problems are not due to the food that you feed - if a cat is going
    to have that problems, it's going to have it no matter what you
    feed.  hmm.  I really wonder...
    
    E.T.

    Well, my estimate is probably off.  I was under the impression
    that I was going through a case of canned and 10 lbs of dry in
    a month, but now that I think about it that's not right.  One
    can lasts two days (I only give them canned in the morning) so
    lets see...Its closer to $30/month...Geesh I was off by 1/3!
      

    hmm.  That's not tooo bad!  Boy, I'd like to see a can lasting
    2 minutes with my brood!  This morning they acted like they
    hadn't eaten in five years - today was a 3-can morning!  today
    may (may, I say - if they catch me in a good mood) be a 6-can
    day - only if they behave!!  Boy, I can see the pounds adding
    up on the bunch of them!   Little piglets!

    Elaine, you must be doing something right!  I spend $93.00 a month
    to feed 15 cats.  But, I am buying Science Diet light maintenance,
    Iams kitten, Iams adult (both dry), canned Science Diet Feline Growth,
    and Science Diet C/D, and Science Diet P/D.  I buy the largest bag
    of most of those, but have to buy four bags of Iams kitten food
    since the largest we can get is 8 lbs., and I buy the canned by
    the case.  OMH is not available were I live (and shop).
    
    That is the problem with having cats at different stages, you have
    to buy as many kinds of food, as you have cats.
    
    Jo

    
    I am thinking about getting a kitten, and Jo brought up a point
    I had not thought about.  Feeding them seperate food.  Could a 3
    yr old cat eat IAMS kitten food as part of her diet or would it
    be better to split them up @ feeding and feed the appropiate stuff?
    
    	
    

    Well, when I was buying SD light formlula - a 20 lb. bag was
    costing about $18 - $20 .  Now that the show season is over,
    I stopped feeding it - Katenka really liked it - the funny
    thing is that she is eating exactly as she did before - 
    a few bites of canned and then a few bites of dry - no matter
    what is in the pan of dry!  Boy, and I thought I was giving
    her a treat - she is not a big eater!  The Kat Kare costs
    about $9.xxx for a 25 lb. bag. and they all love it.  Very
    low fat, very low ash, and very low Mg. - I supose when I
    start in the baby business I will have to vary the food 
    selection and use IAMS for mom.
    
    It's a bummer when I have to buy litter - I usually wait until
    K-Mart has a sale and then buy 1/2 ton!  I am just about out
    right now - I sure with K-Mart would get on the stick and put
    it on sale (Cat's Pride - red bag) - If anyone see it on sale
    either the 20 lb. bag or the 30 lb bag, would you be kind 
    enough to let me know?  tanx
    
    E.T.

    Re: .28
    
    I feed the Iams kitten food to my kittens and to my queens since
    they are breeding cats, and can benefit from the extra calories
    and nutrition that it provides.  If your other cats are older, 
    spayed/neutered, and less active, it may be too rich (fattening)
    for them.
    
    I feed the cats in different rooms so that those that must have
    a certain diet have access only to what they are supposed to have.
    This means that free feeding doesn't work.
    
    Check with your vet.
    
    Jo

    RE.29
    
    Elaine,
    
    I bought a 20 lb. bag of Cat's Pride - Baby powder scent for $2.99
    at DeMoulas last week.  I usually get the plain (red bag) but they
    were out and so was I and the box couldn'e wait another day.  It
    doesn't seem to have a strong perfumie smell and the kids seem to
    like it.
    
    You might also try Osco Drug when they have their booklet sale.
    About a month ago they had a booklet of coupons (good for about
    3 weeks) and they had 10 lb. bags of Cats Pride for 99 cents with
    a limit of four bags.  I found a few used booklets that still had
    these coupons left and got 80 lbs. for under $8.  It was a little
    inconvenient carrying all those bags but...
    
    Roslyn

    re:31
    
    Thanks, Roslyn.  I'll check Osco  -  I sure wish K-Mart would
    get on the stick - they usually put it on sale just about the
    time I am almost out.
    
    

    This seems to be the most recent note on FUS, so I'll ask my question
    here.

    I have a 7 year old neutered male cat.  He has been fed with Purina Cat
    Chow and grocery store canned food (various brands) all his life. 
    There has never been any attempt to control ash or magnesium content in
    his diet, nor any other of the risk factors for FUS.  He has never had
    any problems with FUS.

    The question is, since he hasn't had a problem in 7 years, can I assume
    that he'll never get it?  Or should I change his diet as soon as
    possible?  How old is a typical cat when he gets FUS for the first time? 


    Thanks in advance,

    		- Valerie

    If it ain't broke, don't fix it...
    
    Jo

    If I'm remembering correctly, Cat Fancy claims that about 80% of cats
    that get FUS get it in the first 6 years.  On the other hand, I'm a
    strong proponant of "premium" pet foods for a variety of reasons, 
    mostly that the ingredients are of better quality all-round.
    
    Karen.

    re: .35  And there are fewer additives 
    

    My male cat, Matzah, acquired FUS for the first time last year,
    at the age of 6.  He had never had a problem before this.
    Interestingly enough, he had been fed Hill's C/D for the
    previous several months.  Prior to that my cats had been fed
    a combination of 9-Lives, Friskies, and KalKan.  And the only
    dry food Matzah likes is Meow Mix and Purina Cat Chow.
    The switch to C/D was prompted by my female cat who had a couple
    of bouts of cystitis.  I decided to put them all on c/d rather
    than seperate foods.
    
    When he had the FUS last year, his urine was tested of course,
    and it was NOT acidic as it should have been.  I was really
    perplexed by this as the c/d  is designed specifically to
    acidify the urine.  My vet was perplexed too.  She said she
    believed that certain cats develop a 'resistance' of sorts to
    the acidifying efforts of the food that actually counteracts
    it.   Two or three months ago I switched back to KalKan and
    Old Mother Hubbard food.  I recently had both Matzah's and
    my female cat's urine tested and both were okay.
    
    I wouldn't assume that since he hasn't had any episodes with FUS
    that he will never have it but my advice to you would be to leave
    your cat's diet as it is.
    
    Donna