Flutd - Issues After Pu And Ppu

Scootercat

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Hello all. I am new to this site and am looking for someone who has experienced multiple issues after surgery to unblock a cat's urinary tract. My two year old (Alex) had a urinary track blockage two months ago today. After in-patient catherization to clear blockage and his return home, he blocked again within one day. I was referred to a specialty ER for follow-up. There, he was given the same treatment and discharged. Within two days, he blocked again, thus he had the PU surgery on 9/5 and was discharged the following day on clavamox and buprenex. Gabapentin was added later. On 9/10, he was straining and unable to void, in distress and significant pain, thus we went to ER. We were advised he had a partial block. He was cathed, bladder drained, antibiotics changed, and sent home. Things were looking good and sutures removed on 9/20. The following week, symptoms returned, i.e. straining to go but unable to void, aggressive behavior, voiding outside box, etc.. So, back to ER. Alex was re-cathed, put on prazosin for bladder spasms. After another two weeks, he blocked again. Was scheduled for emergency revision to the PU and we were told that if unable to clear, a PPU would be done. (Urethra redirected to a new stoma in abdomen. ) Stricture was too large to resect, thus they did the PPU (almost 4 hours in surgery). In dwellilng catheter blocked while still in hospital. Came home on 10/23 on clavamox, buprenex and an antibiotic ointment to be put around stoma as a barrier. The following day, Alex was still unable to void. Back again to ER. Advised that catheter was able to be passed easily, indicating no blockage and at this point, it is assumed his bladder is significantly inflamed and spastic.. He was put back on prazosin. After several days of pure hell with increased restlessness, on and off ability to void, crying in litter box, and diarrhea from antibiotic, I was ready to accept reality that both procedures failed. We made another trip to ER today and wouldn't you know it, the little stinker decided to pee on the way down (one hour away). Thus, bladder was almost empty when we got there. At this point, he was sent back home, I was told to stop the antibiotic and he was placed on Cerenia for inflammation of the bladder. He remains on buprenex and the prozosin for a few more days. We are once again hoping and praying for some relief. I am not ready to lose this kitty but do not want to prolong his suffering any longer. My husband remains in denial and states that I just want to "kill" my cat.

I'm sorry for the long winded summary, but I've read so many forums on this topic and I've not seen any one that has undergone so much in just a two month period. All have a happy ending or are euthanized, as folks just don't want to foot the cost...which I understand. We have spent close to $13,000 and I couldn't afford it either. I am retired and on a fixed income, but just couldn't let this sweet guy go. I'll be returning to work at some point to make up for the unexpected expense but if Alex survives, it was well worth it.

Any one experience so many setbacks with this horrific disease and have a positive outcome. Any ideas/suggestions that I might be able to use? Thank you in advance.
 
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lalagimp

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congratulations! HE CAN PEE!
The whole thing, every time I hear it happen to someone, is terrible. It was really fortunate for us that the PU took and so far, no revisions. Tom blocked at the end of November, and then twice in February within 3 days, so we did the surgery.
In a month it's going to be a year since the whole thing started, and I never feel like I'm in the clear. We put in $10,000 for all the ER visits and treatments and the surgery. He was under anesthesia so many times that I ended up postponing his dental cleaning for almost a year. Every time I had to collect him from somewhere or transport him to the next place, I'd requested an injection of Cerenia for car sickness. He's a trooper. He was never mad about the whole thing. He just wanted us to comfort him. We didn't crate him after the surgery either. My boyfriend ended up sleeping with him in the living room for at least two weeks with the gate closed so no other cats could get in there, and Tom was set up on the love seat with a big white sheet on it to watch for blood, an electric blanket underneath it, and my hoodie on top to curl up with familiar smells.
 
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Scootercat

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I am happy to hear that your PU surgery was successful. I went to ER today because he wasn't peeing much at all and had concern due to full bladder and his other signs/symptoms. Was prepared for the worse since we were told before that there really weren't any options left. Was shocked when we took him out of his carrier and lo and behold, PEE! Just hope he keeps going. I've spent the last two months (since the start of this), sleeping in another bedroom set up for the cat. I do let him out under supervision. I have three other Siamese kitties, who aren't very nice to him lately, most likely due to the cone on his head and a different smell from being sick. Don't need any more stress. Alex was evidently abandoned by his mother... was found by my brother under his deck. Deemed to be between 2-3 weeks old so I took him home and raised him....we have a special bond. Thank you for your input...I hope my ending is as good as yours.
 
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Scootercat

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Oh my, didn't realize how long it has been and forgot that I never follow-up....Alex had the PPU and, unfortunately, after he was home recovering and things were starting to look up, his incision opened up and he developed a serious infection. Back we go to the surgeon's. He underwent another surgery to clean it up and remove necrotic tissue. Things were touch and go for quite sometime, but I am happy to report it has been 8 months since the revision to the PPU (last surgery) and he is doing fine. Each day is a blessing and I never take it for granted that all is good. I continue to monitor his urination closely, confining him one day a week to be sure. He does go to the vet every few months to have fur shaved from around the abdominal stoma, just to make sure it does not become blocked from the outside.....he is a pleasure to watch and enjoy, especially knowing we were so close to losing him.
 
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Scootercat

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Since my last update in August of 2018, Alex continued to do well, remaining on Royal Canin SO, and we had no further issues until January of 2020. At that time, he developed a serious bladder infection, treated with several different antibiotics (I refuse to do Convenia due to risks) and prazosin for the bladder spasms. Once he recovered, things were going well and then, 3 months later another infection. I routinely take him to the vet every 3 months for follow up for urinalysis, so caught it early. And so it went...every 3 months another infection or serious bladder inflammation. The latest infection was January of this year and while the infection has cleared, he continues with bladder spasms and irritation, causing blood in the urine. He remains on prazosin and Royal Canin SO dry (no longer moderate as, the company changed the formula last year, and he started vomiting), and Hills c/d wet food. As of this writing, he continues on prazosin and I still see some blood and occasional dribbles outside his litter box. Bladder scans continue to show crystals and he may have to have sub-q fluids for several days to flush the bladder. So much stress on him which exacerbates the issue. I am considering talking to a hollistic vet to see if there are any treatments I could combine with his current treatment, to stabilize/settle his bladder. Each day with Alex is a blessing. I am very fortunate to have him this long, given statistics on life span after the procedures with complications. (PU, PPU and then the PPU revision). But, I am not ready to give up. If anyone has had similar experiences with on-going UTIs or cystitis, or with hollistic treatment, I would sincerely appreciate anysuggestions/recommendations you may have.
 

irisheyzs

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Not sure how helpful it will be but our 3 year old was blocked back in October. I chose not to have the surgery based on the poor outcomes that I read. The ER vet gave some suggestions that have helped in our case. We bought a cat tree, a water fountain, calming treats and I keep homeopet uti drops on hand. I've used them once since October when I saw he wasn't peeing. Gave him the therapeutic dose every 15 min for a total of 4 times. Within an hour he peed. So far so good but I'm still always on guard watching him like a hawk. I hope you get some good answers for your little guy.
 
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Scootercat

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Not sure how helpful it will be but our 3 year old was blocked back in October. I chose not to have the surgery based on the poor outcomes that I read. The ER vet gave some suggestions that have helped in our case. We bought a cat tree, a water fountain, calming treats and I keep homeopet uti drops on hand. I've used them once since October when I saw he wasn't peeing. Gave him the therapeutic dose every 15 min for a total of 4 times. Within an hour he peed. So far so good but I'm still always on guard watching him like a hawk. I hope you get some good answers for your little guy.
Thank you....we are still struggling and looking for a new vet.
 
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