- Joined
- Feb 21, 2019
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- 35
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Hi everyone,
I’ve been browsing these forums for the past few weeks, and I’ve found so much helpful information. After another frustrating visit to the vet this morning, I am hoping someone who has been in a similar situation might have some advice for me.
My cat Charlie is 14 years old, male, neutered, has always lived indoors. He has been eating a combination of dry and wet food for the past 7 years or so (just dry before that) and recently switched to just wet. He’s a very happy and social cat, loves pats and to be around people. He is a big guy and the only health concern the vet has ever had about him was his weight, until now.
Last June, I noticed him drinking water in a frantic way. I took him to the vet and, after blood work, urinalysis and an exam, they found blood in his urine and diagnosed him with cystitis and said it was likely stress-induced. They prescribed Metacam and gave him an antibiotic shot. All was well after that, though I do wish I would have brought him in for a follow-up urinalysis.
Fast forward to the beginning of this year, one morning he peed in the recycling box and I noticed blood in his urine. Hoping it was a simple bladder infection or inflammation like last year, I took in a urine sample to the vet. They called to let me know that this was worse than last time - more blood in the urine and higher protein. They told me that they thought there was a “deeper cause.” After blood work, urine culture and 3 different antibiotics (4 weeks total, concurrently), they told me it didn’t seem as if there was an infection and that they didn’t know where the blood was coming from. They recommended an ultrasound, which will be $325, to rule out polyps, tumours, etc, which may be the source of the bleeding. He visits the litter box often to pee with very little result - sometimes a small pee, sometimes a few drops. He drinks lots of water and always has.
After ending his long bout of antibiotics last week, as well as having some painkillers intermittently (Bupenorphine), Charlie seemed constipated. I know antibiotics and opiates can cause constipation. My vet also had me switch from a combo of dry and wet food, to just wet a couple of weeks ago and I wondered if this might have contributed? I added pumpkin to his food, which he does eat, but still straining in the litter box with barely any pooping.
I took him in this morning because I was getting really worried about the constipation. They did an X-ray and it showed no blockage and that he was not backed up. He was a bit dehydrated so they gave him some subcutaneous fluids. The vet mentioned the possibility of kidney issues, making it painful for him to try to poop (all blood work showed kidney function as normal) and also mentioned pancreatitis (no mention of it until today) - I feel at this point that they’re just grasping at straws. They sent us home with some Zantac to give him 3x a day, and I don’t even understand why.
I started using Feliway last week. Charlie gets lots of attention and generally seems extremely laid-back and stress-free. I gave him a perch in the window which he enjoys, he has 2 litter boxes to use (cleaned daily) and 2 water dishes (one upstairs and one downstairs). He is currently in and out of the litter box a lot, straining to poop or peeing a tiny bit. I checked the colour of his urine yesterday and it was clear, no pink tinge like earlier this month.
I just don’t know where to go from here. I will continue with wet food - his appetite has increased since being off the meds. I’ve been adding water to it, but no pumpkin in the last few days as I was worried that he had a blockage.
I’m happy to go ahead with the ultrasound, but I have a feeling they won’t find any cause (they might), and then I’m back to square one. I am thinking about getting a 2nd opinion from another vet.
If anyone has experience with chronic cystitis or any info or advice to offer, I would really appreciate it. I’m emotionally exhausted. I love Charlie so much and hate to see him uncomfortable. I just want him to feel good again.
Thank you in advance and I apologize for the length of this post!
I’ve been browsing these forums for the past few weeks, and I’ve found so much helpful information. After another frustrating visit to the vet this morning, I am hoping someone who has been in a similar situation might have some advice for me.
My cat Charlie is 14 years old, male, neutered, has always lived indoors. He has been eating a combination of dry and wet food for the past 7 years or so (just dry before that) and recently switched to just wet. He’s a very happy and social cat, loves pats and to be around people. He is a big guy and the only health concern the vet has ever had about him was his weight, until now.
Last June, I noticed him drinking water in a frantic way. I took him to the vet and, after blood work, urinalysis and an exam, they found blood in his urine and diagnosed him with cystitis and said it was likely stress-induced. They prescribed Metacam and gave him an antibiotic shot. All was well after that, though I do wish I would have brought him in for a follow-up urinalysis.
Fast forward to the beginning of this year, one morning he peed in the recycling box and I noticed blood in his urine. Hoping it was a simple bladder infection or inflammation like last year, I took in a urine sample to the vet. They called to let me know that this was worse than last time - more blood in the urine and higher protein. They told me that they thought there was a “deeper cause.” After blood work, urine culture and 3 different antibiotics (4 weeks total, concurrently), they told me it didn’t seem as if there was an infection and that they didn’t know where the blood was coming from. They recommended an ultrasound, which will be $325, to rule out polyps, tumours, etc, which may be the source of the bleeding. He visits the litter box often to pee with very little result - sometimes a small pee, sometimes a few drops. He drinks lots of water and always has.
After ending his long bout of antibiotics last week, as well as having some painkillers intermittently (Bupenorphine), Charlie seemed constipated. I know antibiotics and opiates can cause constipation. My vet also had me switch from a combo of dry and wet food, to just wet a couple of weeks ago and I wondered if this might have contributed? I added pumpkin to his food, which he does eat, but still straining in the litter box with barely any pooping.
I took him in this morning because I was getting really worried about the constipation. They did an X-ray and it showed no blockage and that he was not backed up. He was a bit dehydrated so they gave him some subcutaneous fluids. The vet mentioned the possibility of kidney issues, making it painful for him to try to poop (all blood work showed kidney function as normal) and also mentioned pancreatitis (no mention of it until today) - I feel at this point that they’re just grasping at straws. They sent us home with some Zantac to give him 3x a day, and I don’t even understand why.
I started using Feliway last week. Charlie gets lots of attention and generally seems extremely laid-back and stress-free. I gave him a perch in the window which he enjoys, he has 2 litter boxes to use (cleaned daily) and 2 water dishes (one upstairs and one downstairs). He is currently in and out of the litter box a lot, straining to poop or peeing a tiny bit. I checked the colour of his urine yesterday and it was clear, no pink tinge like earlier this month.
I just don’t know where to go from here. I will continue with wet food - his appetite has increased since being off the meds. I’ve been adding water to it, but no pumpkin in the last few days as I was worried that he had a blockage.
I’m happy to go ahead with the ultrasound, but I have a feeling they won’t find any cause (they might), and then I’m back to square one. I am thinking about getting a 2nd opinion from another vet.
If anyone has experience with chronic cystitis or any info or advice to offer, I would really appreciate it. I’m emotionally exhausted. I love Charlie so much and hate to see him uncomfortable. I just want him to feel good again.
Thank you in advance and I apologize for the length of this post!