5/7 Tyler AMPS 253 +7 94

Yesterday's Condo

Good morning all! About last vet visit, no the vet did not perform a cystocentesis. He said he did not want to do that unless it looked absolutely necessary. He gave me a sterile vile and I free caught it. Yes, I know what you will all say about that and how it is not accurate and all the negative feedback that will come with that, so there's no need to type it all out again. ;-) I simply do not have the money for another vet visit at this moment. Having the extra Orbax on hand was fortunate for me right now, because it seems to work for him while he is on it. The negative to me being out of school is that I will not be home as much. If I was studying, at least I could still see what was going on. I am going to do my best to make this right, but for now, I'm doing what I can.

Besides maybe performing a cystocentesis, my vet is no doubt going to push hill's on me even stronger this time! Last visit he said if it relapses, then I am going to need to put him on the Hill's for urinary tract health... So to combat that suggestion, what "acceptable" foods would be best for this type of problem? I know I can't afford to keep feeding him this food if it maybe a culprit, causing more vet bills.

I will just leave it at this for now. I am not in a very positive frame of mind this morning!!! Bleh! :-|

Re: 5/7 Tyler AMPS 253 ** reply to yesterday's question

No advice from me - just lots of moral support! It is so hard to deal with FD and then other health issues on top of that.

We have a civie, Chappy, who I truly believe has sterile cystitis. The vets keep telling me it's a behavioral issue, which I just don't buy. This is the most mild-mannered cat in the world! (The other vet blindly prescribed AB's that didn't work.) I just started Chappy on UT "treats" last night. I have no idea if they work, if they're a waste of money, etc. Maybe there is some type of supplement like that which could help???? Hopefully some of the experienced members here can provide information on some alternative foods/supplements for Tyler that may help with urinary health. I'm amazed at all of their knowledge!

Hang in there. I know this is a difficult dance!
Shelly

Re: 5/7 Tyler AMPS 253 ** reply to yesterday's question

You are right to not want to spend the money on the prescription diets. They really are poor quality and don't help much.

From http://catinfo.org/?link=urinarytracthealth#Prescription_Diets"

Generally speaking, the basic diet recommendation for the average cat with urinary tract issues is a high protein/low carbohydrate canned food with added water.

Taking it one step further, look for one that is low in phosphorus - either below ~1.0-1.2% dry matter (not 'as fed'), or below ~250-300 mg/100 kcal.

Click to expand...

You've already done the best thing for Tyler in getting him on an all canned diet. Do you add water to his food? That could help too. I have a tab on Tess's SS with foods that are LC and Low Phosphorus.

Besides, the Rx diets are not designed to help UT Infections, they are for UT Inflammation from crystals forming. Has your vet indicated that this is a possibility? If crystals are the problem the ABs wouldn't help except for secondary infection. And there are 2 types of crystals that can form, struvite or calcium oxalate (CaO). The acidifying Rx diet can help struvite crystals in the short term, but can actually make CaO crystals worse.

There are UT treats you can feed too. Usually they contain cranberry, which would help acidify the urine. Even better is if they have d-Mannose the active ingredient in cranberry.

If it is an infection again, either it was not totally cleared up or the AB was not the right one for the type of bacteria. You won't know for sure without a cyctocenthesis and the sterile sample sent out for C&S.

Because of sugar in the urine because of the FD bacteria can find the bladder an nice home. There will always be bad bacteria in the colon, usually the good bacteria outnumber them and keep them in check. However, (this is what our vet explained) since the anus and urethra are very close excreted bacteria can easily find a way to and up the urethra and into the bladder. So, even though the vial your vet gave you may have been sterile, where the urine comes out of the cat is not and can easily contaminate the sample from external bacteria.

Tess gets repeated infections. We do what we can to help her keep them at bay, but they still happen about once a year.

• -- Pro-biotic every day to keep the good gut bacteria strong
  -- Glucosamine/chondroitin supplement - the lining of the bladder is similar in composition to the cartilage in joints. G/C can strengthen anD soothe the bladder lining.
  -- Cranberry/d-Mannose treats - as well as acidifying, d-Mannose binds to receptors that bad bacteria would latch onto, denying them a place to breed in the bladder. We use Pet Naturals of Vermont UT Support Treats. I get them at Vitacost, they are much cheaper here than anywhere else. Tess loves them! Drs. Foster and Smith has a good one too.

Re: 5/7 Tyler AMPS 253 ** reply to yesterday's question

Friskies Special Diet is formulated for urinary tract health. It is low in phosphorous. It's probably not the best food overall, but it is available at the grocery store. I feed Cobb the Turkey and Giblets flavor. It is 5% carbs.

Hope Tyler feels better soon! Stick to your guns with the vet, you know low carb is best and the prescription food that the vet will probably recommend (Hill's w/d) is NOT low in carbs! Remember, just as you hold the syringe and make your own dosing decisions, you're the one that feeds Tyler. The vet works for you!! :smile:

Ok, Lunchtime was a nice 94 @ +7, I can't complain, but he didn't eat all his am meal. So that, like yesterday, more than likely has to do with that lower number, right?

To answer Julie from yesterday, he didn't want to get in the litter box, but when I put him in there and pet him, he went. It did not look like it was an easy task for him.The stream looked smaller than normal for him, but the volume was good. But he had not gone (in the litterbox, at least) for almost 24 hours. The evening clump the day before yesterday, was small. Too small for Tyler, that is. So I get paid this week, but if I put him on AB's then I will wait until they are gone before deciding to go back to the vet.

This is extremely hard stuff... have I said that before? You ladies are wonderful advice givers and supporters. I could never handle this as well without you all.

I will check out those cranberry treats