I Have More Trust Issues Than This Feral..

Jcatbird

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I wanted to show you how I set up my wire shelving gate door with no damage to the frame. I did use taller shelves, the same height as my door. I used a baby gate. Stood the shelf right up to it and zip tied the shelf to it at the bottom but made sure the baby gate can still open. At the top I put a tension curtain rod and zip tied that shelf again to it. So that shelf was pretty secure. The other shelf I zip tied to the first one to act like hinges so I can get through to the room. I just used a clamp to hold the opening side closed. I hope that makes sense. We had no breakouts! I tried attaching pictures, hope it works!View attachment 299432 View attachment 299433
Beautiful!
 

walli

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Poor Finn! sheesh! I think with boys it is more important to get it taken care of, just posting to post my pic, My baby gate will not work for you I will come up with something for you tho. Catzmeow Catzmeow that is a great setup! that should work for buffster7, fyi this post was just sitting thought I posted it yesterday
hope Finn is ok.
 

Catzmeow

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Poor Finn! sheesh! I think with boys it is more important to get it taken care of, just posting to post my pic, My baby gate will not work for you I will come up with something for you tho. Catzmeow Catzmeow that is a great setup! that should work for buffster7, fyi this post was just sitting thought I posted it yesterday
hope Finn is ok.
That looks very escape proof! And the board attached to the top gate is a good idea. Are you able to get into the room easily? We had tried stacking baby gates the first time but found it difficult to access the room, thus it got left open and Shadow got out and went back to hiding in the house for a couple of days. Eventually, he decided he liked that room so went back on his own, which was good because we still couldn't pick him up or handle him much at that time.
 

walli

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This one is on hinges, and it locks, it is in the hallway, tried to split the house in half for the cats, but my feral doesn't want to come out of her room yet.
She does have a Catio so she goes outside too.

I do have another set of baby gates to her room, they are stationary.
She has 2 doors to her room.

I think your idea will be good for Buffster7, as she already has some of the elements!
 

shadowsrescue

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Unfortunately I do have experience with a cat with urinary issues. One of my boys blocked twice in 2017 which resulted in PU surgery. He was doing so well urinary wise for almost 2 years. We had moved ( I have 6 cats) and we had some issues with the move as well as our older dog passing away. This kitty went a bit nuts. He was put on Prozac to calm him down. This resulted in him having urinary retention ( massively large pees) and unfortunately he blocked again in April of this year. I am using a handful of supplements ( d mannose one of them) as well as CBD to keep him calm. So far so good. Yet it is a life time of watching him. He too is a former feral/stray who spent the first few years of his life living outside before I was able to fully get him inside. Thankfully so or he would have never lived.

Please let us know about Finn. One of the things I learned when dealing with cats with urinary issues is to be sure that urine is extracted from the bladder. It then should be tested as well as cultured. This is an important first step.
 
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Buffster7

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Hi guys, sorry for the delay! I had a 4+ hour lab simulation at school yesterday and dropped my computer off for repair yet again, and just got it back today. I called the ER vet that night and they said as long as he was emitting a little urine he would be okay until the following day. My vet was gracious enough to squeeze him in to their packed schedule yesterday.

He tried to feel Finn's bladder and could feel nothing - nor could the emergency vet when I took him in the first time. It makes me wonder if either Finn is dehydrated and retaining very little fluid, or if his bladder is just tinier than usual. Fortunately, when we were wrapping up and Finn was in my arms, he released some urine right out on the floor and we were able to syringe it up and test it. If I'm remembering this correctly, there was no bacteria in the urine but there were some white blood cells and there was plenty of blood. I had not been seeing blood in his litter box, but I'm sure the clumping litter took care of anything that could have been seen with the eye. So he got a steroid shot and 7 days of antibiotic pills this time, and he is back to peeing.

I am still not sure what could be causing this? Is there any way to truly know? I've picked up some ScienceDiet urinary food and ordered some Royal Canin urinary. I've avoided those foods as the ingredients just don't look quality to me, but I am not up to speed on urinary food for cats and a quick search just showed urinary foods by the typical big four companies. If anyone knows of any better quality food out there for urinary issues, please let me know.

Catzmeow Catzmeow and W walli - thank you for the pictures! I love your setups. The tension rod and zip ties are genius! If I had it to do over again I would do the taller gates. At this point, between vet bills/baby gates/shelving/scratching posts, comfort zone diffusers/water fountain/CBD oil/Comfort Max/Jackson Galaxy remedies/urinary foods/cat condo/etc - I've spent well over a thousand in the last 6 weeks and I just can't spend any more right now. I am praying that when Finn is healed up and feeling better that the introductions will go more smoothly and that there won't be a need to do the shelving for much longer. I may be able to jerry-rig a piece of cardboard at the top of the doorway if I can find something to secure it that won't damage the door frame.

And Walli and shadowsrescue shadowsrescue , thank you for reminding me about D-Mannose! I may even have some in my cabinet. I started him on a probiotic with cranberry added to it, too. Thanks again everyone for your input and ideas and support. :hearthrob:
 

shadowsrescue

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The best thing for cats with urinary issues is water water water. I would not feed any dry food at all. For my urinary boy, I had 2 extra tablespoons of warm water with each wet food feeding. I am not a fan of prescription urinary food. I do understand there are times when it is absolutely necessary, but good quality canned food with extra water often does the trick. My boy does not drink much water so it is necessary for me to supplement him with fluids any way I can.

When I use D mannose, I get it in powdered form and give 1/8 t. 2x a day. I do this for a good 2 weeks, then down to 1x a day for another week. I also use alcohol free cornsilk. It does wonders for his urinary issues.

It does sound like he has some inflammation since no bacteria present, but the white cells and some blood.
 
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Buffster7

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The best thing for cats with urinary issues is water water water. I would not feed any dry food at all. For my urinary boy, I had 2 extra tablespoons of warm water with each wet food feeding. I am not a fan of prescription urinary food. I do understand there are times when it is absolutely necessary, but good quality canned food with extra water often does the trick. My boy does not drink much water so it is necessary for me to supplement him with fluids any way I can.

When I use D mannose, I get it in powdered form and give 1/8 t. 2x a day. I do this for a good 2 weeks, then down to 1x a day for another week. I also use alcohol free cornsilk. It does wonders for his urinary issues.

It does sound like he has some inflammation since no bacteria present, but the white cells and some blood.
I put a water fountain in his room after his emergency vet visit the first time. I honestly don't think he uses it. His pee balls have always been so tiny compared to Charlie's. Now I'm wondering if he hasn't had this issue since I brought him in - because after his emergency vet visit and after last night's vet visit, his pee balls are much bigger. So maybe 'bigger' is his normal size, and the small pee balls he always has are result of urinary trouble. And because there are white blood cells and blood but no bacteria, is there any possibility that this could be result of some previous trauma to the abdomen? Falling from a tree or being abused by a human before he found me?

Right now I'm adding so much water to his food that it's like soup. He doesn't seem to mind. Good to know that the water to high-quality food is effective once the emergency is over. I may alternate the urinary and high-quality for a while since I now have so much of it. I don't feed kibble, not even kibble treats now. Will pick up some D-Mannose and cornsilk (what on earth is cornsilk, I'm thinking...will google). Thanks again!
 

shadowsrescue

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Here is the cornsilk I use:
Cornsilk is for inflammation

Here is some dosage info
Normal Dose is 7drops, 2x/day
Starting dose in a crisis: 7drops, 4x/day until urine clumps get bigger, then
3x/day as urine clumps get closer to normal for your kitty, then
regular dose of 2x/day for at least 30days to heal urinary tract inflammation.

Also some additional info

D-MANNOSE:
NOW D-Mannose:https://www.iherb.com/pr/Now-Foods-D-Mannose-Pure-Powder-3-oz-85-g/531
Normal dose: 250mg/day OR 1/8tsp given once a day or split into 2doses/day. (Dosing is 250-500mg/day == approx. 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of the powder, respectively
ALSO can be given at higher dose if needed: 500-1,000 mg/day==approx.)
Can be used for urinary tract inflammation, mucous plugs & a couple UTI bacteria (E. Coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa)

CANTHARIS 30c:
https://www.iherb.com/pr/Boiron-Single-Remedies-Cantharis-30C-Approx-80-Pellets/57866
Often recommended for its ability to maintain a healthy flow of urine and soothe the bladder. Homeopathic remedy that comes in tiny white teapills. Either dissolve one in small bit of water or drop into kitties mouth. Still need to use corn silk or marshmallow root, for inflammation at same time:
https://www.iherb.com/pr/Boiron-Single-Remedies-Cantharis-30C-Approx-80-Pellets/57866
Dose: 1 teapill, then up to 1 teapill, 3-4x/day. Do not touch Teapills. Give by mouth or syringe: Syringe is .5cc water & drop in one teapill, when dissolved syringe by mouth.
Length of treatment: until bladder discomfort is resolved
 

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That's a lot of stress on top of school so I hope You can take care of yourself and relax a bit too. Maybe if you have an extra baby gate you could put it at the top of the door and snug the shelving you have up to it. Might have to duck to get under the top gate. But maybe if his bladder problem gets better he will be in a better mood too and the gate will be less of an issue.
 
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Buffster7

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Well, Finn is peeing but now he's not pooping. Haven't seen a poop since yesterday morning. I'm drowning his food in water and he's sucking it all right up. After he finished breakfast he even went to his fountain and drank and drank this morning - first time I've seen him use it! So will keep an eye on his litter box today.

I think Charlie is infatuated with his new "friend". He now sits at the shelving every chance he gets. He watches me interact with Finn and love on him with no jealousy. This morning he kept reaching through he shelving trying to play with Finn, chirping at him. Finn just looks at him and walks away - couldn't be bothered. At least he's not charging him. When I left Finn's room and closed the door, Charlie sat outside it and cried mournfully for quite a while. This is all so interesting to watch unfold!

Praying for healing for Finn!
Charlie is such a good boy, just need to get Finn to come around!
Thank you for those prayers! They make all the difference! I'm going to make a real effort to watch what I say. I just read something yesterday about the words that we speak have the power to hinder or sidetrack what is meant to happen. Going to try to refrain from expressing my worries or anxieties and just expect good things to happen.

Cornsilk is for inflammation

Here is some dosage info
Normal Dose is 7drops, 2x/day
Starting dose in a crisis: 7drops, 4x/day until urine clumps get bigger, then
3x/day as urine clumps get closer to normal for your kitty, then
regular dose of 2x/day for at least 30days to heal urinary tract inflammation.
Thank you for the links! I just ordered the cornsilk and will stop by my local health food store for the D-Mannose today. I happen to have some of the cantharis in my cabinet already - score!
This poor baby has really had so much upheaval in the last couple months - trapped, taken from outdoors, neuter, new home, very little exercise, exposure to another cat, and 2 more vet visits. Since there's no bacteria I've come to the conclusion that it's stress-induced.

I did worry about blunt trauma to the abdomen - did he fall off a tree or fence when he was outside? Did some human kick him - he was so very fearful and distrustful when he found me? The only thing that helps him pee are the steroid shots when they knock out inflammation for a week. Now that he's not pooping I'm watching for any further clues. Still, most likely stress-induced. I will do everything I can to bring down his inflammation. I'll eliminate poultry and seafood and stick with his urinary food + rabbit and maybe beef for a while and see how this goes. Just thinking out loud..

Off to school for the day - looking forward to catching up around here when I make enough headway at school. If you could only hear the mournful cries from Charlie at Finn's door while I type this..
 
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Buffster7

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Poor Charlie is inconsolable today. I don't understand kitty dynamics or why he sounds so clingy or concerned, but I'm fascinated. (The blue pieces on the floor are the pool noodles Finn likes to shred that come off his baby gate when I open the door. Finally got rid of them this morning but no chance to vacuum yet)
 

Talien

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I've picked up some ScienceDiet urinary food and ordered some Royal Canin urinary. I've avoided those foods as the ingredients just don't look quality to me, but I am not up to speed on urinary food for cats and a quick search just showed urinary foods by the typical big four companies. If anyone knows of any better quality food out there for urinary issues, please let me know.
The commercial "prescription" foods are, as you noticed, junk. The ingredients are barely better than the low end but not quite bottom of the barrel foods like Friskies and Meow Mix. But since he is prone to urinary issues whatever you feed him definitely avoid dry food since it can aggravate those issues.

I can't really say too much on food or treatments besides that because all of my Cats are female and it's a bit different between male and female when it comes to urinary issues, I know males are more prone to blockages but beyond that I don't have a lot of info.

However, if you want to do a little experiment, smell the food then smell his poop. You'll notice a distinct similarity in the odor between the two, and that's because a lot of the ingredients are just filler with little to no nutritional value and pass right on through. Good quality food results in poop with very little odor. If you are concerned about ingredients, or are just curious, take a look through the nutrition subforum and ask questions.
 
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Buffster7

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I will pay close attention to the poop/food correlation when he starts going again. Strange that he went from diarrhea to nothing at all. At what point should I be concerned regarding no elimination? Last poop I saw was yesterday morning.
I've browsed the nutrition forum and ordered some of the food that was recommended for urinary issues. I had been feeding him that before his last flare up. I was already adding water to his food, but now I'll just keep turning it into soup with the water, at least til he's better. ;)
 

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Just keep giving him soupy food. Skipping a day of poop isn’t too concerning. If it continues, my usual advice, call the vet. They should be able to advise something without taking him in. He is drinking now so that’s great!

Charlie! :redheartpump: He really does want Finn around. I love how he is calling. That trill call is a very good thing. I know when Finn is better, Charlie will be glad to see him.
 
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