Where to get a picture of...

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apex_predetor
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Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:58 pm

Where to get a picture of...

Post by apex_predetor »

I was wondering where I can get an image of typical feline dental plans? My cat had a urinary blockage approximately ten days ago. He spent three days at the Vet to be unblocked and checked out. He had crystals in his urine and we started him on prescription diet, now he isn't heating or drinking much?

I was thinking we may have damaged his from teeth while feeding him his medication over the last week, or from eating something?

He had a tooth right in the lower middle that seems to be "set back" a bit and I can't find any good images of feline teeth to see if it was abnormal or not?

I was thinking this might cause his non-appetite?

Thanks
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Traci
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Re: Where to get a picture of...

Post by Traci »

Get kitty back to your vet immediately for a re-check. When you say he was treated for urinary blockage, do you mean catheterization, cystotomy or what? Anytime anesthesia is used for surgical procedures and anytime a surgical procedure is done, you're supposed to notify your vet at once when something is amiss, such as anorexia.

What medication was given and how? Did you force the medication in the mouth too hard as to cause damage? You need your vet to examine kitty's mouth, immediately. Whether it is an oral tooth problem or something else, you can't wait on this, he could be having other issues still related to the urinary problem, like inflammation, bacterial infection, or if surgery was done on the lower abdomen, an incisional infection, any or all of which could be causing anorexia.

Get him back to your vet NOW.
..........Traci
apex_predetor
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Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:58 pm

Re: Where to get a picture of...

Post by apex_predetor »

He had a cathater (sp?) when he was drained. He was given a medication for anxiety, antibiotics, and something to keep his urethra open.

He leaked for a few days, and peed very slightly. We had to move him around to a couple different places for the holidays (24th - 28th) because we had to watch him and his bladder.

He is acting more normal and pees little amounts. I called the Vet last night and she said to keep watching him and to bring him in if we think he changes.

He finally ate something last night while we were sleeping (i heard him). He drank quite a bit after I posted this message. We originally put away the automatic watering dish/fountain, but we got it back out and he drank quite a bit.

His attitude is better, nothing like when he was sick..

Thanks for any info
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Traci
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Post by Traci »

Were they able to determine the TYPE of crystals, i.e., struvite or oxalate, etc? Or, did they have to send them out to a lab for identification? If so, are those results back yet?

You mentioned the tooth slightly bent back, had you ever noticed it before and how do you know it wasn't like that before? Did you tell that to your vet when you called last night, and what was his/her response?

The prescription diet may not be palatable to him, thus, it's not necessarily anorexia but rather, not pleased with the taste of the food. If he doesn't eat a normal amount of the prescription diet, then you MUST tell your vet so he/she can choose another veterinary diet in another brand that would be more palatable. Do NOT feed anything other than the prescription diet, since it will defeat the entire purpose of dissolving/managing crystal formation.

The urinating small amounts might have been due to irritation from catheterization. For the most part, this is normal for the first day or two, but anything beyond that demands an immediate recheck with your vet, to rule out inflammation, or crystal blockage that might have been missed. Were xrays ever taken before the catheterization?

What is the name of the anti-anxiety medication? Were all medications given in liquid form, or pill form?

Whenever a catheterization is done, requiring anesthesia, it is imperative you get your cat back to the vet for a followup re-check, a new urinalysis to determine if the urine's pH and specific gravity and protein have returned to normal (as well as ruling out potential infection), as well as checking for any crystals that might have been missed. Call the vet back and get that appointment immediately.

You need to know that any cat who has had crystals or a blockage requiring catheterization is highly susceptible to re-occurrances and blocking again, you will need to followup on this often so that it is being prevented and managed properly. Your vet should be telling you all this.

After 10 days, your cat should be eating normally, drinking normal amounts, urinating normally, and NOT drinking excessively, NOT urinating frequently or small amounts. Again, get him back for a recheck immediately, this is the only way you know if the medications are working effectively, and if inflammation is residing and if the vet got all of the crystals out of the bladder (you need to know sometimes these crystals end up in the kidney, which demands monitoring).

Btw, did your vet know you were taking kitty to several different places over the holiday? Didn't he recommend against that? You need to know, and your vet definately knows this and should have told you, that stress is the number one precursor to urinary tract problems, you have to keep his stress reduced at all times. The constant travel could be what prohibiting his healing in a reasonable time frame. This is another reason you need to get him rechecked, promptly.
..........Traci
apex_predetor
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Re: Where to get a picture of...

Post by apex_predetor »

Struvite I believe. If I remember correctly it was due to an acidic urine analysis.

I don't believe that xrays were taken but I could be incorrect. I am at work and I fon't ahve the bill infront of me.

He was given (all pill form):
Phenoxybenzamine 5mg tabs
Amitriptyline 10mg tabs
Amoxicillin 100mg tab

I talked to the vet and she wasn't concerned about immediately seeing the cat, but she did tell me to watch him for any changes and if he didn't start eating "normally" by Friday to bring him back in.
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Traci
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Re: Where to get a picture of...

Post by Traci »

She's concerned about his not eating normally, but not about seeing him to evaluate the tooth, nor about seeing him 10 DAYS post-op?

Please understand, it is WITHIN these 10 days and beyond that if ANYTHING is amiss, whether appetite, urination amounts, pain, discomfort, whatever, ANYTHING unusual demands a vet recheck immediately. You have no idea if an infection might be present and it's incumbent of the vet to REQUEST a followup recheck 7-10 days after a catheterization procedure.

New vet??!!
..........Traci
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