Cat with crystals could be blocking again?

[profcat]

In the middle of March (just as all the pandemic craziness started around here), our cat Simon was showing signs of blocking. He was straining in the box, and peed small amounts of very bloody pee on the bed (of course it's always the bed)!

Our vet found he wasn't blocked but he was heading there. He had crystals and a very irritated penis. She kept him over the long weekend with a catheter and fluids to flush him out. He also got antibiotic (even though he didn't have an infection) and anti-inflammatory medication. X-ray did not show anything in the bladder or kidneys. Bloodwork fine. We switched him to ONLY Hills Science CD food.

We brought him home and he was such a happy guy! It was clear he felt better and was using the box as normal.

But now 3 weeks later, he peed by the back door (that can happen when a male stray cat comes around, so not totally abnormal). But then I saw him squatting to pee, and nothing came out. No blood or anything. He's acting and eating just fine.

What else can we do for him but keep him on the CD diet? If we have to we'll take him back to the vet tomorrow for them to look at him (they're closed to walk ins, but will come to the car and get pets and bring them in for examination).

 

[jen]

I hope hope hope that is CANNED Hill's C/D diet? A blocking male cat should not ever be eating dry food.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Not helping much, but have a question to help clarify for other members who might have some ideas. How did the vet determine he had crystals if nothing showed in the x-rays of the bladder and kidneys? While crystals can travel down from the kidneys/bladder to the urethra, it is rare for none to show up otherwise.

What about urinalysis/urine culture - including PH levels in urine? All that goes a long way in truly identifying what might be behind this.

 

[profcat]

I hope hope hope that is CANNED Hill's C/D diet? A blocking male cat should not ever be eating dry food.

Oh, yes, he's on CANNED food.

 

[profcat]

Hi. Not helping much, but have a question to help clarify for other members who might have some ideas. How did the vet determine he had crystals if nothing showed in the x-rays of the bladder and kidneys? While crystals can travel down from the kidneys/bladder to the urethra, it is rare for none to show up otherwise.

What about urinalysis/urine culture - including PH levels in urine? All that goes a long way in truly identifying what might be behind this.

I don't remember the PH levels but he had struvite crystals, and they found them in his urine.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I don't remember the PH levels but he had struvite crystals, and they found them in his urine.

Very odd, but good in a sense that they are not collecting in his urinary tract. Definitely use canned food. In addition to Hill's C/D, there is Royal Canin SO - known to dissolve struvite crystals. And, find out where is PH is, where the vet wants it to be - and, you can buy PH strips to check his urine balance over time.

 

[profcat]

Very odd, but good in a sense that they are not collecting in his urinary tract. Definitely use canned food. In addition to Hill's C/D, there is Royal Canin SO - known to dissolve struvite crystals. And, find out where is PH is, where the vet wants it to be - and, you can buy PH strips to check his urine balance over time.

He isn’t a cat we can easily touch. So getting a PH of his urine will be impossible. He was a feral cat we brought in a few years ago and he’s come so far that we can touch him occasionally now, but picking him up to take him to the vet is impossible.
He’s obviously uncomfortable tonight and it make me feel bad. He just squatted again and tried to pee and nothing came out. But he ate a great dinner. I will call the vet in the morning and see what she advises.

 

[IndyJones]

It's not uncommon for a cat to block again after it happening once. Are you able to feel his belly? If it feels bloated at all this is an emergency as nothing is able to leave the bladder. Total blockage is fatal within a day.

 

[profcat]

It's not uncommon for a cat to block again after it happening once. Are you able to feel his belly? If it feels bloated at all this is an emergency as nothing is able to leave the bladder. Total blockage is fatal within a day.

No we can’t touch him that much. He was a feral cat. He definitely peed this afternoon so he’s not 100% blocked. And our vet said we’d know bc the signs of that are hiding, not eating, etc. and he’d likely let us touch him. We will call the vet in the morning and bring him in.