Lola, 6 yr old. The last few years she's had repeated UTI (strained, bloody drops of pee outside litter pan), treated with antibiotics, apparently clears completely, only to return in 4-6 weeks. I have some experience, having parented 6 other cats in my 50 years. About her - she is a normally happy relaxed social cat. She has been on canned food since I got her from a barn litter at 5 months. She really only appears anxious when she's got the infection, and I assume she's in pain from it. She will NOT take pills -her jaw is a vise and will not be pried open. Taste tabs inside of Pill Pockets are often rejected. I cannot get liquid med squirted into the side either. The one thing that works for meds is to add powdered products, liquids, or crushed pills that have mild flavor into her food.
Several vets have examined, and all recommend Rx food (Hills Urinary or Royal Canin), some forcefully. Their only other suggestion is to try Prozac. The conclusion seems to be she has inflammation that causes her to be susceptible to infection, so the infection is a by-product of an ongoing issue, and chronic bladder inflammation is could be due to anxiety. I keep trying to figure out how to deal with the source of the problem. I have been giving her Vermont Naturals Calming treats, which do have a nice effect, but no cure. Ive also tried adding Cosequin for some months to address general inflammation, but no apparent benefit - infection returned. I resist the Rx food- I'm so skeptical of them, as I have had her on good food, even some Dave's limited ingredient urinary health. It seems like the vets are totally bought in - they all have a good deal of clinic space dedicated to stocking these foods so they must be very profitable. > any thoughts on whether these Rx foods are valid? > any experience with this and Rx or natural remedies? Thank you!!
Several vets have examined, and all recommend Rx food (Hills Urinary or Royal Canin), some forcefully. Their only other suggestion is to try Prozac. The conclusion seems to be she has inflammation that causes her to be susceptible to infection, so the infection is a by-product of an ongoing issue, and chronic bladder inflammation is could be due to anxiety. I keep trying to figure out how to deal with the source of the problem. I have been giving her Vermont Naturals Calming treats, which do have a nice effect, but no cure. Ive also tried adding Cosequin for some months to address general inflammation, but no apparent benefit - infection returned. I resist the Rx food- I'm so skeptical of them, as I have had her on good food, even some Dave's limited ingredient urinary health. It seems like the vets are totally bought in - they all have a good deal of clinic space dedicated to stocking these foods so they must be very profitable. > any thoughts on whether these Rx foods are valid? > any experience with this and Rx or natural remedies? Thank you!!