Conference misery::feline

    
    I have a diabetic cat, and what you are describing doesn't sound like
    diabeties. Get the blood test. Without the test, the vet is just able to
    guess at what it might be and treat the symptoms. I spent months treating my
    Kostos for a urinary infection earlier this year (he has recurrent
    bouts of FUS) and when we finally did a blood test, we found it was a
    kidney infection, which doesn't respond to the antibiotics usually
    prescribed for FUS). The vet prescribed the right medication and he was
    feeling better within hours. I caould have saved a lot of monly if I'd
    asked for the blood test months earlier.  
    
    As for the CD/SD diets. There are some cats like my Kostas that need
    an additional urine acidifier to prevent the crystilization. 
    
    As for the operation. I've had two cats that have had it. It greatly
    prolonged their lives because the cats didn't block anymore, and thus
    didn't get toxic. They still had recurring bouts of cystitis, but
    rather then an office visit, I'd just call and the vet would give me
    a bottle of pills and urine acidifiers.
    
    Your cat's limpness this morning could have been a lot of things; I
    found my late Eirene this way several times; I was very often able to
    shake her back to life (she had kidney failure, which if caught early
    enough, can be treated successfully for years). My Kostos also acted
    this way once when he blocked; A blood test will tell a lot, and will
    save you money in the long run.
    
    good luck,
    Deb
    

    A few notes;
    
    On rec.pets.cats a biologist(?) as several times mentioned that
    with stubborn problems like this a culture is very important, because
    it tells the vet the specific bacteria (or whatever the organism
    is...) and so they can pick the best antibiotic to cure it.
    
    SD is not a food that's okay for long term use as it's not
    nutritionally complete.  My understanding is that it's actually
    for a different form of FUS as well -- one where the cat has a tendency
    to form crystals (like my Little Bit) as opposed to crystals from
    infections.  I may be wrong however.  (note:  this is SD as in Stone
    Diet, not SD as in Science Diet, which is a completely different food.)
    
    The semi-coma you describe is actually what has happened twice with my
    Sweetie when his insulin dosage was too high.  Your vet should be
    able to accurately diagnose diabetes with a blood test, however.
    
    A note about the operation for FUS;  in some cases, I believe it can
    lead to incontinence.
    
    So, I think getting the low down on the particular infectious agent
    thru a culture is the first thing to do noe, IMHO.  Hugs to your kitty.
    

    I agree with Karen, you really should have his urinary tract cultured
    so they can treat the bacteria - it sounds like he's not really being
    cured each time he goes on antibiotics.  The episode you describe
    sounds like he's really getting blocked.  If they've taken x-rays, they
    have probably already confirmed crystals.  I know you've already spent
    a lot of money, but you may want to consider taking him into Tufts.  They 
    can do all the labwork there with a turnaround of hours on most
    bloodwork (cultures take longer no matter where you go), and it sounds like 
    he could be sick enough to need admission to a hospital & some medical 
    attention for a few days.  If your cat is fully blocked it can become 
    deadly within a very short period of time.  
    
    Good luck to you & your kitty,
    liz

    Well, I've spoken with my vet and we discussed the various tests that
    could run on Mittens.  Although the blood test could show a few things,
    he does not feel blood is the problem here - but something with the
    kidneys, bladder or urinary tract.  He suggested a cystocyntisis which
    is when they tap directly into the bladder to get pure urine.  This way
    they determine where the problem bacteria really is - and can test it
    with some drugs to help resolve it.  We've had the xrays and all that
    jazz, no stones or tumors, but obviously something really stubborn. 
    And, in addition, Mittens is back chewing the furr of one of his
    forearms (something which he did last year, but we thought it was from
    a fleabite from a visiting dog) - not sure what's causing it now, but
    another matter to remedy.  Boy, when these furfaces breakdown they go
    all out don't they?!
    
    We'll be heading for a clinic I'm familiar in Lancaster later this
    week to have the test done - hopefully we'll get some answers after the
    analysis!  Wish us luck!
    
    Cindy
    
    

    I lost a very precious male cat who started out with the symptoms
    described here.  He would squat and strain and pass little spots of
    blood.  The vet I used to go to never followed up on the symptoms and
    it turned out he had FUS.  He died before I could get him the proper
    care.  The vets I use now, treat cats with this problem.  It's common
    in male cats and is a urinary obstruction.  If not treated, it can be
    fatal in 24 to 48 hours from what I understand.  The toxins back up in
    the cat's system and this is what makes it dangerous.  Have you checked
    for the possibility that your cat might have FUS?

    Blocked cats are considered emergency cases. Usually by the time the
    owner brings them in they're been blocked for a while already. It's the
    kind of thing where if you notice your cat straining & doing nothing at
    3 a.m., you should be calling the vet then rather than in the morning.
    
    						Trace

    Well folks, thank you for your notes, but unfortunately there was not
    a happy ending in this case.
    
    I took Mittens to the vet on Friday to have the cystocyntisis done.
    He had already emptied his bladder at some point prior to our trip,
    so the vet was unable to run the test.  I began to feel real confidence
    with this new vet, but got pretty depressed after listening to him
    for a while.  Basically he said that 9 out of 10 times when he's run
    this test, it turns up empty.  As I felt is might have been one of my
    last resorts I left Mits overnight so they could be sure to catch a
    urine sample the next morning.  I went back to the vet the next 
    morning and brought Mittens records from my previous vet, which
    included xrays.  I'd pretty much though about what the dr. had told me
    the day before about additional tests, surgery, etc. and wasn't all
    that sure that Mits would be coming home with me that day.  So much
    was going through my mind!
    
    At any rate, we examined the xrays together and saw a small dark shadow
    in Mittens bladder.  The Dr. felt it was probably a stone that he wan't
    passing and was 90% sure that this was probably his problem.  No
    guarantees, but he felt the best bet.  After we discussed a payment
    plan we opted to do the surgery for Monday (today).  I took him home
    for the rest of the weekend.
    
    I knew that Mittens would be groggy after having the cystocyntisis done
    so I made him comfy.  He wasn't eating much, but understandable.  He
    woke occasionally and finally on Sunday was more to his old self.  But,
    his old self did lots more running, talking, etc. and over the past few
    weeks I'd made a concious effort to watch him - everything about him. 
    He had dropped a bit of weight around his hips, kind of sunken in, his
    appetite wasn't much, barely talking, and barely being his usually
    talkative, playful self - basically lathargic.  To top it off, the
    unconcious episode a week back was not normal, and then last night he
    threw up - yellow.  Now I know that's bile, but it hit him hard and we
    was so weak!  I had a previous cat and know all too well that (after
    watching the other one fade away due to liver or something problems)
    things were not going in a bad direction.
    
    So this morning I had pretty much made my decision.  Instead of surgery
    that I'm sure would have handled one problem, there was no answer for
    the other issues - I was heartbroken.  Knowing full well that it would
    be the last morning to get him off my bed, let him drink out of the
    toilet, talk to him.  He saw the carrier and knew it was for him and
    cried as I put him in (not the vet again, I'm sure he was thinking).
    
    He was pretty quiet during the ride (which was the longest one of my
    life).  When I got to the vet I informed them that I wouldn't be doing
    the surgery, but putting him to sleep instead, and told them the basis
    for my decision.  They injected him and he immediately went out.  The
    Dr. said he'd like to run an autopsy - I told him yes as it would solve
    alot of our questions, both his and mine.   After staying with him for
    some time I finally left.  GOD I'M GONNA MISS HIM!!! (yes, crying
    uncontrollably!)
    
    I just want to end this note by saying that I wished I'd found this
    last vet earlier in Mittens life.  I'm upset that I stayed with my
    first vet for so many years, and that they never offered any type of
    solution or surgery, etc.  Perhaps I should have been smarter, but
    then again, they're the doctors, so you like to have faith in them.  I
    didn't realize how useless they were until recently when I called and
    said his infection was back again, and they never called me back.  It
    was at that point that I picked up his records and went elsewhere. 
    They were his only doctors and knew that he crystallized and blocked at
    the drop of a hat, and I reminded them of that when I first called, and
    still nothing.  Many thanks to the doctors and staff at Lancaster
    Animal Hospital, I'll never go anywhere else.  My second baby is from
    there, so I'll be returning there in the future (though hopefully not
    too soon!)
    
    Many thanks for your caring words.
    
    Cindy
    
    

    Cindy,

    I'm so sorry !!!   I can only begin to imagine how difficult this
    must have been for you !

    I've added Mittens to the SLM listing.

    My sympathies,
    Debbi

    Cindy, I'm very sorry.  I know Mittens is waiting
    for you at the Rainbow Bridge,
    
    Karen
    

    Just another note to add...
    
    The doctor did run an autopsy on Mittens and did indeed find two stone
    (one about the size of a fingernail, the other a bit smaller).  He said
    that they had to have been there for some time due to their size and
    resistance to medication and special food.  Although he didn't state
    that there was anothing abnormal about any other organs I knew in my
    heart things just weren't quite right with Mits and still believe I did
    the right thing.  But it was nice to confirm that what the doctor had
    believed was the major problem, was in deed the case.  Once again,
    fuming because no one at my previous vet brought the issue to my
    attention earlier.
    
    Last night was odd in that the house was very quiet (no kitty chatter). 
    I'm trying to bring my second kitty, Clarisse out of her shell and
    provide her with some singular attention.  I got Clarisse in April from
    Lancaster where someone had found her living on her own and in rought
    shape.  She has since come out from hiding under the couches, etc. and
    was the perfect playmate for Mittens, but I know she loves to play as
    she's probably only about 1-1 1/2 years old.   Hmmmm, maybe I'll have
    to get a playmate for her now?  We'll see how she adjust to her
    solitude, though I know she'd rather play with someone else (it was so
    evident with Mittens) - they were great buddies.  Awwww, Clarisse must
    be missing Mittens as much as I am, if not more.   :(
    
    C.
    

    Oh, Cindy, I'm so sorry to hear about your dear Mittens.  I went 
    through that with one of my cats (10 years ago) and I know what 
    you had to do was not easy.  
    
    Deb