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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

4119.0. "Another cat gets hit by FUS" by WECARE::GERMANN () Tue Oct 30 1990 09:20

    Well, I wanted to enter this for two reasons.  First, I want to
    again say how glad I aam for all the wonderful information that is in
    this file.  Without it, I might not have acted as quickly as I did and
    who knows???
    
    Second, I want to garner some moral support for Bob and for myself and
    my daughter.
    
    So what is this all about?  Well, over the weekend, I caught Bob
    squatting for long periods.  This didn't seem good, and Sunday when he
    left the litter box, it was dry.  So Monday morning I called the Vet
    and got an appointment.  $70 later, I left with Bob, a 10 LB bag of S/D
    and a half case of moist S/D, and a bottle of Amoxycillin.  
    
    You guessed it - FUS!!!  I was so sad.  Bob has been the picture of
    health for his 2 1/2 year life.  He is such a doll.  Last night he
    ate his S/D very well, took his Amoxy, and then went off to hide.  This
    morning my usual friend was missing - found him in the attic curled in
    a ball.  We gave him his Amoxy, but he is not hungry.  I am worried...
    
    And the other cats can't figure out why the boy of the group is acting
    so funny.  His sister, Esmarelda, kept going to check on him last night
    and then would come to me and cry.
    
    Anyway, I have just printed out all the info on FUS from this file to
    take home to my daughter (who is the real mother of Bob).  Also, my vet
    made an interesting statement - claimed that although the word out is
    that neutered males are more prone to this, there is little proof of
    that since, after all, most of the males vets see are neutered.  The
    unneutered ones are typically strays or in homes where they are notr
    seen regularly by vets.  Interesting observation!!!
    
    Well, wish us well with our first bout of FUS.  Poor Bob, I hurt for
    him!!!
    
    Ellen
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4119.1XNOGOV::LISAGive quiche a chanceTue Oct 30 1990 10:195
    I hope Bob makes a speedy recovery. Sounds like he is getting the best
    nursing treatment around - at home with the people who love him :-)
    
    Lisa plus PR&F
    
4119.2exitWILLEE::MERRITTTue Oct 30 1990 11:425
    Well wishes to Bob and family.  This notes file is great for
    information, opinions, and facts.   
    
    Sandy (Tamba, Poco, Barkley, Chloe, and Anges
    
4119.3WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityTue Oct 30 1990 12:059
    If Bob isn't showing marked improvement by today, I would get him
    back to the vet.  He may need a stronger antibiotic.  You shouldn't
    see him squatting and straining still.  And, if he is hiding and
    not eating, that doesn't sound good either.  
    
    I am glad that this file helped you recognize Bob's illness fast.
    That is what we are here for.  Let us know how Bob is doing.
    
    Jo
4119.4\TENAYA::KOLLINGKaren/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca.Tue Oct 30 1990 15:165
    I don't like the fact that he is hiding and still having trouble.
    This shouldn't be happening if things are going okay.
    A complete blockage can cause death in 24 hours.  I would bundle
    him up and go to the vet's again.  Please let us know how he is doing.
    
4119.5TENAYA::KOLLINGKaren/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca.Tue Oct 30 1990 15:186
    By the way, although FUS demands prompt attention, it is almost
    always simple to control once it is cleared up (proper diet,
    etc.)  All three of my cats had initial bouts with it and
    have been trouble free for years (they get CD cat food
    as their regular food.)
    
4119.6CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds DTN:297-2313Wed Oct 31 1990 07:146
    I agree with the other warnings.  Loss of appetite and vomitting (If
    this starts) could indicate either an allergy to the medication or
    involvement of the kidneys.  Better safe.
    
    Hope poor Bob is back to normal soon.
      Nancy
4119.7update on BobWECARE::GERMANNWed Oct 31 1990 08:3925
    I was so worried about Bob that I left early.  When I drove up to the
    house, Bob was nowhere to be seen.  He usually runs up to the car as I
    drive in.  Panic hit.  I went in to see if he had been let in - still
    no Bob.  So I went to the front door and called.  Racing home was our
    beautiful black and white fuzz ball, tail high.  He ate a couple of
    handsful of S/D dry and then propped himself on the kitchen stool (our
    cats favorite place) to clean.  At supper time - canned food time - he
    ate his S/D, growling at the others to bug off - they all liked the
    smell.  He was very socialble last night, took his amoxy well, and
    curled up with my son for the night.  This morning, he took his amoxy
    well again, had a snack (S/D) and took off.  
    
    He feels MUCH better today - and so do I.  I took home all the info on
    FUS that I printed out from here yesterday.  The kids and I read it all
    and feel much more informed, if confused by the differing approaches by
    various vets.
    
    Bob will be on S/D for a month, then probably C/D.  The amoxy will last
    about 10 days.  No mention was made by the vet of pills, acidifiers, or
    the like.   He did indicate that we caught it very early - there was no
    blockage.  He also showed me how to check for blockage.
    
    Thanks for your concern.
    
    Ellen
4119.8all right!CSCOAC::MCFARLAND_Dbo knows windows 3.0...?Wed Oct 31 1990 13:514
    yay bob!  glad to hear he is handling it so well...
    
    diane, stanley & stella
    
4119.9TENAYA::KOLLINGKaren/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca.Wed Oct 31 1990 15:065
    The reason teh vet didn't mention pills in conjunction with the 
    cd is that the normal maintenance "diet' for FUS prevention after
    the problem is "cleared up" is either (1) CD or (2) normal
    food plus pills.  I think I remember that correctly...
    
4119.10CRUISE::NDCPutiput Scottish Folds DTN:297-2313Thu Nov 01 1990 07:484
    CD contains a urine acidifier already so if he eats CD he won't need
    anything else unless his FUS flares up again.  CD seems to be VERY
    effective in preventing FUS.
    
4119.11Can you elaborateMR4DEC::HAROUTIANFri Nov 30 1990 12:2410
    Just had my Max (4 year old neutered male) to the vet last night, FUS
    was diagnosed and we got the Amoxycillin and CD food.  You mentioned
    you were shown how to check for blockage - can you elaborate?
    
    We use EverClean litter and are just checking the box every time he
    goes there; he's urinating a little each time (as he was yesterday),
    and the vet said to just keep watching that closely especially over the
    next two weeks.
    
    Thanks, Lynn
4119.12WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityFri Nov 30 1990 14:0619
    Lynn,
    
    The everclean litter is an excellent way to keep track of the urination
    habits of a cat with FUS.  I recently bought some for my mom to use
    with Monroe, who has had two bouts of it since he went to live with her
    in June.  Just make sure that you are finding pee balls in there
    everyday.
    
    Now, if you want to get more technical, you can take your cat to your
    vet and ask him to show you how to feel for his bladder in his
    abdommen.  Once you learn where it is, you can feel for it at different
    times of the day and learn how to tell what it feels like when it is
    full, and what it feels like when it is empty.  Once you know this, the
    next time that you see him in the litter box straining, you can gently
    feel for the bladder and know if it is full and he may possibly be 
    blocked.  A full bladder doesn't always mean a blockage, but it
    can mean trouble if the cat is trying to go and can't.
    
    Jo