quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Originally posted by billnchristy:
Our black cat didn't drink much water from the bowl so we got a fountain thing, he drinks a ton now, may be a good idea.

I think there is something to this. IMO animals like moving water. Out in the wild you want to drink from a flowing creek, stream or river, not a pool of stagnant water with shit growing in it.

We got this one a couple years ago, and recommend it. Reviews were mixed on reliability, but it seems to be maintenance-related. Replace the filter monthly to avoid clogging the pump and you should be OK, but I'll also recommend distilled water for both the pump's and the cat's health.


https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer...indrop/dp/B0037NKDSG

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
Jesse, give me a call. I can keep an eye on him during the day.

Thanks I've already made arrangements. GF is coming home at noon and my Mom will check on him tomorrow and rest of week if needed.

Really appreciate the offer.

++++

As far as wet food, he doesn't like it nearly as much. Before this we had to stand guard when they ate because he's not interested and Gray who's half his side bullies him over it. Feeding them was already a PIA, now keeping Gray out and getting Black to eat it adds an extra layer of fun. He does like the special diet at least, maybe better than his normal food. I just wish it had higher quality ingredients.

Drinking water is no issue for him, he drinks plenty, way more than Gray does. I may try the fountain still though as I worry about Gray's intake.

Prayers sent.
Hope Black responds to treatment.
So sad when a furry family member takes ill.

Sorry to read that this is happening to your buddy.

As mentioned, canned food is a good thing, more water content to it. I do like the acidifying diets if you can swing him eating them (Science Diet c/d, etc) but if you can't get him to eat that, look up Fancy Feast (original flavors). I know, I know, a vet telling you to feed FF, but in this case many of the veterinary specialists say that the original FF flavors will acidify the urine almost as well as the rx brands (and for less $$).

If they haven't done radiographs, get them to take a look. If he has a butt ton of crystals/stones/sludge in there, get the surgery done if you can. Otherwise these stones will start to try to pass in the urethra, and that rarely works itself out.

If they sent off the urine for a urinalysis, try to find out what the pH was. If it's high, then likely the stones are struvite (aka triple phosphate), and are often associated with bacterial infections. I use an antibiotic with any case that shows an elevated pH (above 7.0).

There are medications that will help relax the urethra, meds to help the bladder contract (not indicated for this usually), and even medications to help dissolve the stones if the cat just won't change diets.

I usually will unblock a male twice. On the third block, they get a surgical correction that widens the urethra and generally precludes future obstructions. Some vets are more patient, some less.

Hope this helps, and let me know if I can answer any other questions. As always, my SigForum friends are welcome to email me directly if you have questions about your critters (wives do NOT count!).

Our first Siamese Male had a bad series of attacks when he was about 1-1/2. The treatment at the time include a catheter the entire way to his bladder to reduce swelling in his urethra. He went around for about a month with constant dripping.
It was a painful experience for cat and owners.

However, once the catheter was out and we convinced him to start eating again, his health turned around and he lived to be just short of 17.

Good luck to Black!

They also make it in the dry formula, we mix the wet and the dry for Hunter and he likes both equally well, but then again he likes all food equally well.

https://www.chewy.com/hills-pr...d-multicare/dp/54782


Hope he gets better.

Prayers said for Black. Drinking fountain as stated, they work.

Hope the lil feller gets back to 100% quickly!

Well I think Black may be a ladies man. I had 6-7 different girls ask me how he was doing today at the vet. Ones that weren't even in yesterday.

I do their electrical work and was there to change lamps and ballasts today. Every single lady there asked me how he was doing, I had no idea he was so popular. I didn't pay for the second trip yesterday because if was well after they closed before they finished up with him. They only charged me for the pain meds they gave him last night, no charge for the vet and vet tech time, wooooo-hoooooo!!!

Prayers on the way, I hope he comes around and is back to normal.

Prayers sent for Black to get well soon.

I understand your concern. I pray that Black recovers soon.

flashguy

We have had two cats with the same issue. It is a very common problem with males cats.

We about lost a kitten to a bladder rupture 4 years ago. Got the surgery and that kitten has grown up to be quite the cat.

We've had to keep our cats on a Urinary food:

https://www.chewy.com/royal-ca...dAlsFHQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have also heard wet cat food works. If diet is not changed expect another blockage/UTI.

Prayers sent.

Good luck to you and your pusser.

This is what I do for a living, so take that for what you will. Plugged cats are most often magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals in a protein matrix. Usually an inflamed bladder, sometime secondary to stress. Rarely due to an infection ( that's what happens in dogs, not cats) Often on "natural " foods with a ton of magnesium and phosphorus. More water in is best. Canned is better than dry. Stay on the Hills c/d or c/d stress, Royal Canin SO , or Purina UR ( if his kidneys are ok). Retest UA at 1 mo and then every 3 mo or so. Avoid foods from the boutique pet foods stores. That's your best plan. Trust me

They are Struvite (sp) crystals. Are those the same thing? He's on the c/d stuff now, both wet and dry. He had been on Core Welness Original prior to that along with Rachel Ray's Tuna.

Hope your cat gets better. You can make your cat's food using a raw diet that is higher in water content. I order from a butcher that specializes in raw diets for pets. It is called "Hare Today" this way you can make food that is appropriate for your cat as an individual.

Also note that some vets get kickbacks from the food they sell & recommend. My old vet (whom I refuse to use any more) put my diabetic dog on a diet where the 1st ingredient is corn. Corn is a high glycemic food so NOT good for diabetics!!! I was furious after I did my own research. A lot of commercial food actually leads to the diseases many of today's pet get.

Really ?