Continual Urinary Problem

[Sun & Star's Mom]

About 6 months ago I had my first experience with FUTD and a blockage. I asked questions and you were very helpful! Ater the trauma, we switched to C/D food and eventually all was fine.
About 3 months later, I saw the signs again, however Sun was not blocked this time. A few days of an antibiotic, and he was back to normal.
All, again, seemed fine. It almost seemed like he had a bladder infection or something.
Well....this week he started visiting the litter box every 10 minutes again.
Again I did see traces of urine, so knew he wasn't blocked. The vet gave me another antibiotic. However, after 4 days he's not back "to normal" yet and still visiting the litter box far too often. He does urinate a little teeny bit each time, and is eating, active, playing etc. But....WHAT is going on?? Can someone tell me what they think Sunshine is going through here?

Mom

[davet]

it sounds like you have one continual urinary tract infedction....i think you need a longer term of antibiotics after a culture has been done..i had a few cats on low dose antibiotics for weeks atr a time and when they came off it would flare up...not a good way to practice medicine but the cats were at least free from the symptons...i suspect another culture and then longer antibiotivcs.

[kk]

I *totally* agree with davet. Your vet must do a culture and sensitivity. This will identify what the infection is, and also what antibiotics are useful for that infection. Short-term antibiotic use breeds resistant bacteria. You must always give a full course of the meds, way past the time when the infection *appears* to be gone. Otherwise, you are most likely not killing all the bacteria, and the problem recurs. The remaining bacteria are then more likely to become resistant to the antibiotic that was used. Please insist on a culture and sensitivity. Good luck. kk

[georgy]

Just wanted you to know I have the same problem with my male cat "Smokey". After months of expensive vet exams & tests he was finally diagnosed with FLUTD. Unfortunately because he is an indoor/outdoor cat it is extremely difficult to keep an eye on his bathroom habits. I have him on Hills Prescription Diet CD-S, however sometimes he'll come inside and use my carpet to squat and show me nothing is coming out but a drop. It's extremely frustrating for us and I know if I take him to the vet they are going to want to run more expensive tests with the same results. What's unusual though is that two days after I first noticed the symptoms he is back to peeing normal when I place him in our indoor litter box. Keep in mind, I remove the CD-S dry and only use the wet. I highly recommend Walthum brand prescription FLUTD cat food as an alternative to the CD-S. Hope this was helpful.

[Sun & Star's Mom]

THANK YOU, for your replies...I've written them all down to take to my Vet! I can tell you that Sun is totally indoors, does eat wet/canned food that I always add some water too, and I've always gone thru the complete course of the antibiodics (even after he seemed "cured"). Since he's only 4 yrs old, I want him to have a full healty life, and want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to make sure of that. He, and his brother Starlite, are my only children. Thank you again for your concern and advise!

[Sun & Star's Mom]

Could THIS be a factor in Sun's urinary problems?
The latest dose of "the pink stuff" has kicked in, and he is back to normal. But, this morning I saw on the rug what I thought was a worm. Not a little white worm...a 2" long, fat, dark brown worm. It took a while, but I know what it is. I use oxygen, and Sun LOVES to chew off that soft part of the nasal tube. It is normally clear and soft...but this piece is now hard as a rock, and dark dark brown. It looks like he vomited it (Altho I can't imagine how), because it was slightly damp around it. Could THAT have been causing these infections and urinary problems ????

[davet]

late post but if that is a foreign object and not a worm there would be no connection between it and the urinary problem

[Sun & Star's Mom]

I'm back...
Sunshine has gone through his fourth urinary "problem". (Not blockage but constant trips to the box, with dribbles.) Did another round of amoxicylin- took longer to take effect, but cleared up, again, in about 6 days. We also did a second bottle for an additional week.
After THIS one cleared up, vet did another urinalysis and culture. All they found was blood in the urine again.... and no additional thoughts or recommendations except "Stay on the C/D". After this many times, I can't believe they cannot find anything to make the problem stop, and I'm in constant watch for the "next" time.
1. Does anyone have any other thoughts on what might be the problem?
2. Since the C/D has apparantly cleared up the crystals, what else might be causing blood in the urine?
3. I saw another posting re blood in urine, and the vet prescribed clavamox. What is this medication used for / how does it relate to blood in a cat's urine?
Sorry this is so long but, as you can guess, I'm getting frustrated.
Thanks!
Janet

[Traci]

Janet, clavamox or amoxicillin are both broad-spectrum antibiotics used to target bacterial infections. The cultures will usually indicate which antibotic may target the infection best.

Hematuria is often idiopathic when it is not accompanied by a blockage, crystals, inflammed urethra or other bladder/kidney conditions. However, you could talk to your vet and make sure that bladder wall thickness, other inflammatory conditions are ruled out. Since he only produces drops of urine at a time during these incidents, it's important to rule out any inflammatory condition. An advanced diagnostic might include a contrast cystography, but I wouldn't suggest this unless your vet felt there was a urolith problem or other urethral condition going on.

It's not uncommon to treat cats at intervals with amoxicillin or clavamox for idiopathic FLUTD. Some cats are maintained on antibiotics for long-term or for life, depending on the specific condition. Other cats are managed with medications that constrict or relax the bladder for better urine flow. Controlled and specifc diet also plays a key in management.

Something you may not have thought of yet is the stress factor. Stress can greatly exacerbate the condition and can even induce it. Many FLUTD cats suffer repeated problems as a result of stress. Ensure that Sun's environment is as stress-free as possible, and if there is anything in the environment that has changed recently or is ongoing, try to keep the stress to a bare minimum.

Lastly, never hesitate to seek a second opinion. It is really concerning that Sun is suffering these problems and if you mean he is right now producing only drops at a time, talk to your vet IMMEDIATELY. Never ever assume that since he has a history of bacterial infections, that they won't develop into crystal formation and cause a potential and serious blockage. This can happen suddenly, without warning in any cat, especially a cat with a history of urinary tract infections, hematuria included. The constant trips to the litterbox and "only dribbles" is a red flag this very well might be developing crystals or a developing blockage. I would strongly suggest you talk with your vet immediately and/or get a second opinion and go from there.