I'd really appreciate some help as I've got a bit of a situation to share. Since last Friday, Bijou has been having urinary issues. He’s been squatting to have a wee all over the place, but he only manages to pass a few drops. He’s just huddling in his corner and seems too scared to move in case he has an accident. On top of that, he's constantly licking himself, which I’m sure is making matters worse.
On Monday, I took him to the vet, and they gave him an antibiotic jab that's supposed to last for two weeks. They also gave me some tablets called Scopalgine and some therapeutic dry food. On Tuesday, I managed to get a tablet down him with a bit of a struggle, but then disaster struck the next day: I gave him his pill and... he wouldn't stop foaming at the mouth! He was gagging to the point of bringing up some blood (I think he must have bitten his tongue); basically, those tablets really don't seem to agree with him! And since this morning, we’re back to square one – he’s dribbling little drops everywhere again! What should I do? Should I take him to another vet (especially since the last visit cost me around £95!)? Or should I just wait and see if it clears up and stop giving him those tablets? Please help, my cat is clearly in pain!
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Every vet has their own opinion, mine put him on special dry food for urinary stones. I reckon he’ll suggest the same thing but as wet food. Keep us posted. Hang in there.
I’ve just got back from the vet's without Bijou. His bladder is as big as an orange. He’s being put on a drip and has a catheter in! I’ll know more this evening as I have to call back around 6:00 or 6:30pm. The vet said that, basically, he won’t be allowed dry food anymore and will have to have a specific wet food instead.
Also, when you’re giving a cat a tablet, take a large bath towel and wrap the cat in it so they can’t move. Then, open their mouth and pop the tablet in; mind you, it’s definitely easier said than done.
I have a cat with urinary issues: stones, and just like yours, he can’t pee; he only passes a few drops, which is incredibly painful for them. Honestly, you should find a new vet, because the one you’re seeing is providing a treatment that isn't right for your cat, yet despite that, they’ve prescribed the same thing again today. I also feed mine Royal Canin Urinary High Dilution dry food (and nothing else) and he hasn't had a single problem since. When mine was having a flare-up, as well as his usual treatment, I gave him artichoke extract tablets (on my vet's advice) which you can get over-the-counter to help with flushing his system (two a day for a month). I have two cats as well, so the kitten eats Hill’s and Voyou (the one with the urinary issues) has the Royal Canin. I always watch them while they eat and I never leave their bowls out—I just feed them several small meals myself throughout the day. Because of his condition, Voyou will be on that special Royal Canin diet for life...
I’ll keep you all updated. The last time this happened to him was at the end of December 2010. He had an injection plus some anti-spasmodic tablets (which really don’t agree with him at all!) and prescription dry food. Since then, because we have two cats, I’ve just been giving them good quality dry food for neutered cats. But given what happened this weekend, I’m worried it might be more serious and the vet will keep him in for observation. I’ll find out more later!
For the tablets, I buy liver paste and it works every time.
Maybe you should think about changing vets – some will keep them in for treatment while others won't, every vet is different. You could also try changing the brand of dry food; it might be bladder stones.
I had a cat who had that after I gave him some supermarket dry food (the 'premium' range) just to tide him over for the weekend, and by Tuesday I was rushing him to the emergency vet.
Maybe Bijou is just more sensitive. Keep us updated on how he's doing!
Since Saturday, Bijou’s UTI has come back. Last night, he was throwing up the tiny bit he’d managed to eat, and then during the night he was peeing blood!!!!!!!!!!! I’m taking him to the vet this afternoon. I’m worried it might be something more serious since it’s a recurrence. He’s just hiding under the bed and hasn’t eaten a thing since last night! I’m so scared for him. I can’t wait to get him to the vet. At least then I’ll have some peace of mind. He’ll be in good hands, I hope!
You go to a vet because they’re good at their job, not because the cat enjoys being there...
I’m not sure where you live, but there might be an animal charity clinic like the PDSA near you. Your vet must have a few holiday homes with the prices he’s charging!
My cat has urinary issues: the vet gave me some treatment plus some 'Chophytol' tablets—it’s an artichoke extract (a human medication), one tablet in the morning and one at night—it helps with the elimination process.
And some special dry food from Hill's or Royal Canin for kidney crystals and, most importantly,
don't give him anything else to eat, otherwise he'll have a relapse...
