Abbott was catheterized
Abbott was catheterized
On Mon evening I rushed Abbott (6 yr/M/DSH) to the vet because he couldn't urinate. He was sent home with meds. Tues AM he still had not urinated, so in he went for catheterization. I picked him up last night. He seems in good spirits, but passes very little urine. It has blood in it. He is on Clavamox 15ml twice daily and Zeniquin 25mg once daily. His BUN went from 55 down to a healthy 25 before he came home. He had no crystals in his urine according to the vet. So.... what would cause this blockage? It has happened before, but not so bad. The vet says Abbott has probably suffered some kidney damage. He suggests a proceedure to remove his penis and urethra to prevent blockage. Yikes! He wants to perform a *beep*-change!!! Abbott is already neutered. I feed him a mix of Iams Weight Control and Purina Urinary Tract Formula. The last time he had this problem, the only thing that helped was a sulfa drug. But the vet said no because his kidneys need a rest. Does all this sound right? Will he start passing urine normally again soon? Must he become a SHE!?!?! This surgery would make him well over a $1000 cat!
Re: Abbott was catheterized
When he had the problem before, was it crystals then or something else? Was he catheterized at that time as well?
Since he has a history and your vet feels crystals are not the problem at this time, I would seek a second opinion before opting for a perineal urethrostomy. I would first switch the diet to a veterinary prescription diet to alter the pH, make absolutely certain no crystals are evident (followup on urinalysis), and maybe opt for a contrast cystography/urethrography (did your vet mention this to you?). A cystography may be able to detect crystal or stone formation higher up in the urethra rather than depending on x-rays alone. Another option is ultrasound to detect other causes, such as inflammation, bladder wall thickening, etc.
Perineal urethrostomies are a common procedure for male cats with a history of blockages where treatment otherwise fails. Don't dismiss the option entirely, but before you proceed, get a second opinion from another vet, preferrably one more experienced in this area or at least have your vet consult with a feline urologist on your behalf. If dietary change, medications, etc do not correct the problem, then the surgery is your option.
Since he has a history and your vet feels crystals are not the problem at this time, I would seek a second opinion before opting for a perineal urethrostomy. I would first switch the diet to a veterinary prescription diet to alter the pH, make absolutely certain no crystals are evident (followup on urinalysis), and maybe opt for a contrast cystography/urethrography (did your vet mention this to you?). A cystography may be able to detect crystal or stone formation higher up in the urethra rather than depending on x-rays alone. Another option is ultrasound to detect other causes, such as inflammation, bladder wall thickening, etc.
Perineal urethrostomies are a common procedure for male cats with a history of blockages where treatment otherwise fails. Don't dismiss the option entirely, but before you proceed, get a second opinion from another vet, preferrably one more experienced in this area or at least have your vet consult with a feline urologist on your behalf. If dietary change, medications, etc do not correct the problem, then the surgery is your option.
..........Traci
Re: Abbott was catheterized
Thanks for the reply, Trace. Abbott had a problem last summer. He was urinating, but in small, frequent quantities. he was not blocked and did not require cath. At that time the Vet tried an antibiotic at first. It didn't help. I have an invoice from that time that shows he prescribed Capstar Blue 6pk and Virbac Knockout E.S. I think one is a sulfa drug. When I mentioned this previous incident to the Vet, he didn't show it in his records. I was not happy to find that these meds had been recorded for one of my other cats. I don't think we did a urinalysis the first time.
This time there was no trace of crystals. Vet made a point of telling me that. I think if further testing is done it would have to be another Vet. My Vet has a partner who does the Perineal Urethrostomy (PU). I might consult with her about all this. I like and trust her a little more anyway. If necessary I will take Abbott to the Vet Hospital that treated Keely when he was sick. they are way more advanced in treatment there.
For now, should I make sure Abbott gets plenty of water with an eye dropper? Is the prescription food you are talking about similar to the Urinary Tract food I am feeding him now....only better? Right now the biggest problem is that Abbott's brother , Costello, is treating Abbott as a stranger. Costello is extremely sensitive to smells, so maybe that is the problem. I have never seen a cat react to smells the way he does. But for now, he hisses and spits at Abbott. All Abbott wants to do is play with his brother and he gets whacked for it. At least they are declawed in the front. When Costello sees Jamie (his old dog friend) once every few months he greets him like he never left!!!
Thanks for the info and the questions. This is what I need.
This time there was no trace of crystals. Vet made a point of telling me that. I think if further testing is done it would have to be another Vet. My Vet has a partner who does the Perineal Urethrostomy (PU). I might consult with her about all this. I like and trust her a little more anyway. If necessary I will take Abbott to the Vet Hospital that treated Keely when he was sick. they are way more advanced in treatment there.
For now, should I make sure Abbott gets plenty of water with an eye dropper? Is the prescription food you are talking about similar to the Urinary Tract food I am feeding him now....only better? Right now the biggest problem is that Abbott's brother , Costello, is treating Abbott as a stranger. Costello is extremely sensitive to smells, so maybe that is the problem. I have never seen a cat react to smells the way he does. But for now, he hisses and spits at Abbott. All Abbott wants to do is play with his brother and he gets whacked for it. At least they are declawed in the front. When Costello sees Jamie (his old dog friend) once every few months he greets him like he never left!!!
Thanks for the info and the questions. This is what I need.
Bill, if you are referring to the commercial brand Purina Urinary Tract formula, I would talk to your vet (the other vet) about maybe considering Hill's C/D-s...providing that full confirmation of crystals has been ruled out extensively. In other words, if oxalates for example were found, you wouldn't want to use C/D initially, but you would for struvite crystals or for management of FLUTD (that may or may not include diagnosis for crystals). Of course, there are other veterinary diets for the same purpose you can discuss with your vet.
Capstar and Virbac are both flea products, neither of which I would recommend. Virbac is NOT to be used around cats, they are mainly products designed to treat the premises, not the pet. Virbac has a spray for dogs, but this is NOT intended for use in cats (permethrin toxicity). So, if you are treating Jamie with any permethrin products or Virbac, I would not let the cats around him. Advantage and Frontline are the ONLY products I recommend for flea control in cats.
Since you do have the other vet available to you, I would sure recommend getting a second opinion from her. Since she has the experience in the surgery area of P/U's, she could probably tell you more if she feels a P/U is warranted for Abbot vs medical management (also depending on any other diagnostics, like the contrast cystography or ultrasound). She would probably recommend performing either one prior to a P/U surgery anyway. Another option, less invasive and maybe cost effective is ruling out different types of infection by urine culture. Although you do want to find out why the hematuria is occuring, it could be a result of infection or inflammation (or hidden stone further up into the urethra, or kidney, kidney values on labwork should help the vet determine anything amiss)
I don't think it's necessary to give additional water via eyedropper, but do talk to your vet about a canned urinary management diet, this will add more moisture content. The pH level consistency in the urine, combined with other urine values should determine the need for a veterinary diet vs other approaches.
As for the sparring between Abbott and Costello, it's probably the scent from the clinic only and should pass in time. Don't interfere too much, give it another day or so to allow them to re-familiarize themselves.
Hope this helps...
Capstar and Virbac are both flea products, neither of which I would recommend. Virbac is NOT to be used around cats, they are mainly products designed to treat the premises, not the pet. Virbac has a spray for dogs, but this is NOT intended for use in cats (permethrin toxicity). So, if you are treating Jamie with any permethrin products or Virbac, I would not let the cats around him. Advantage and Frontline are the ONLY products I recommend for flea control in cats.
Since you do have the other vet available to you, I would sure recommend getting a second opinion from her. Since she has the experience in the surgery area of P/U's, she could probably tell you more if she feels a P/U is warranted for Abbot vs medical management (also depending on any other diagnostics, like the contrast cystography or ultrasound). She would probably recommend performing either one prior to a P/U surgery anyway. Another option, less invasive and maybe cost effective is ruling out different types of infection by urine culture. Although you do want to find out why the hematuria is occuring, it could be a result of infection or inflammation (or hidden stone further up into the urethra, or kidney, kidney values on labwork should help the vet determine anything amiss)
I don't think it's necessary to give additional water via eyedropper, but do talk to your vet about a canned urinary management diet, this will add more moisture content. The pH level consistency in the urine, combined with other urine values should determine the need for a veterinary diet vs other approaches.
As for the sparring between Abbott and Costello, it's probably the scent from the clinic only and should pass in time. Don't interfere too much, give it another day or so to allow them to re-familiarize themselves.
Hope this helps...
..........Traci
Re: Abbott was catheterized
Just an update.....I spoke to the Vet. He says there is no need for diet adjustment since there was no sign of any crystals in the urine. He does want to see some weight reduction. He says obesity plays a role in this problem. Abbott is now wearing an Elizabethan Collar (that's what I call it) to prevent him from licking himself. Hopefully this will allow the swelling to go down. the added advantage is that he seems to be eating less due to his unhappiness about the collar. Great for the weight loss. Also great for medicating. I find it easier to get a pill down him when he has the collar on. I guess his options for squirming are somewhat diminished. We remove the collar now and then when we can keep an eye on him. He urinates frequently, but not large amounts. But there is no visible sign of blood, and his urine flow seems to be improving. Sorry about the info on flea products. that was my mistake. I was looking at an old invoice that was dated several years ago. We have not ruled out the PU surgery but will let the meds work for now. thanks again for all the help and support.
......Paintsit
......Paintsit