My thread is at Goodbye Rosie Goodbye Family, but I really need all your prayers.

My last 5 year old cat Zeus cat threw up late last night and wasn't purring so I knew he wasn't feeling well. He didn't eat this morning so I phoned the vet. He was acting totally normal until late last night.

He has a urinary blockage and is undergoing surgery. He is 5 years old. I've had a lot of losses, and I really need him to pull through this. The vet said that he may have kidney damage. He appeared really healthy until this.

Unfortunately it's a long weekend and they need me to decide whether to bring him home, to leave him at a different vet's office, one I've never been to, or take him to another city for 24 hour hospitalization. The local vet's office does not have 24 hour surveillance, and I'm tempted to bring him home. But on the other hand, I'm not sure about what complications there could be - does anyone have advice on this?

Need some advice quickly...

thanks

Jan.

i had the same problem with my cat riley . i would advice to leave him in another hospital. riley's doc also told me the same thing: the danger is that there may be kidney damage. therefore it is imperative that he be monitored thru the night. if he has kidney failure, his little body will begin to retain fluid and that is very painful for them. and ultimately his body could shut down. if hes at home, you wont know what to do. im actually very surprised that they gave you the option of bringing him home as after surgery, riley was fed intervenously and was constantly being given fluids as he was very dehydrated as a result of the blockage. also, his diet changed from that moment on and he was given a very high fiber diet...
my prayers are with you and zeus.

patricia

Hi Jan............I am so sorry to hear you have yet another stressful event to deal with.

Though I don't know what complications are possible, I can say that I would want to have one of mine with 24 care. You live in a remote area and IF an emergency happens, where would you be then? You'd be by yourself trying to manage Zeus and also trying to drive there quickly.

You and Zeus are in my prayers right at this moment. I'd feel better for both of you if you took him to stay at the 24 hour clinic. Please keep us updated Jan.

Huggers,
Beth

Hi Patricia, Beth

Thank you both for the advice.

Zeus got through the surgery and he's on IV fluids, catheter needs changing, special meds etc etc. When I spoke to the vet tech, who is also a friend of mine she suggested the best option was the vet closest to me which is not 24 hours but they will drop in several times a day tomorrow. I feel really bad that Zeus is alone in a vet hospital but he needs special care and of course tomorrow is a holiday so my regular vet is not available. The vet tech said the operation went well, I don't really know what damage could have been done to his kidneys, I guess time will tell. This is where I need all your healing prayers!! I couldn't afford this expense, but I couldn't afford not to either, so there it is.

My dad was over and offered to take Zeus to the bigger city vet which is where he lives, but that is an hour and 40 minutes away, and my dad would be devastated if anything had happened on the way. I think where Zeus is, is the best option. To top it off my dad fell down doing some work and gashed up his face - he came in with blood gushing all over him, including a big bruise on his temple, then proceeded to do that long drive home. My dad is 76 so not a young thing. I called him and he made it okay. What a day! You'd think I was making this stuff up, what drama!! Last Thursday my water filter burst and water was spraying everywhere. I'm on a well, and made about 6 phone calls to find out who even dealt with that sort of thing. Oh joy! But that is minor compared to poor Zeusy and how sick he was. I can't believe he was so bad, but still jumping on my head early in the morning and demanding food. I just can't believe he was so near death but acting so normal... life is so impermanent isn't it....?

When I drove him to the clinic he was meowing that really loud distressed meow, saying "I hurt mommy, I hurt." It breaks my heart that he's by himself hurting so bad.

I'm hoping he is surrounded by his angel cat friends and others, and that they are sending him healing and love to help him get through.

Jan.

Oh Jan I am so sorry to hear your Zeus is sick. I know what you are going through. Last weekend my cat Nubis spent 48 hours in the ER vet in an oxygen cage fighting for his life (exactly one week after my cat Ivy went into heart failure). Nubis went into heart failure and was given a shot of predisone which pushed him further into heart failure (cats with heart conditions can't have predisone shots). He has asthma also so we first thought it was asthma, but it turned out to be his heart.

At one point on Friday night when I went to see him and he was crouched in the back of his oxygen cage, not responding to me at all, just staring and breathing so very very labored and fast I think it completely broke my heart. I am having a hard time getting that image out of my mind. I am sure that is what you are dealing with, too. My heart goes out to you during this difficult time.

I am sending lots of prayers and love to Zeus. It also helped me to imagine my kitties feeling better, breathing better, and just sending healing thoughts of love to them (thanks to a suggestion from FK Mom). My anxiety was at an all time high last weekend, I know you have to be going through that right now, too. I know it so scary. Zeus is strong, and he made it through the surgery, and is on IV fluids, so he is through the first hump. Also just keep reminding yourself that he is in the best place he can be right now to get better with the vet techs and the IV fluids. The surgery went well, so Zeus just has to relax and recover right now. Please keep us updated when you can. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. But it's so good you were able to catch this and get him in for surgery.

Is your Dad Ok, also? That sounds like a nasty fall.

Hugs and positive healing thoughts to Zeus,
~NM

hi jan! im so happy you decided to leave zeus in the medical center. he will be looked after and i KNOW he will pull thru. i so understand how hard it is to leave him by himself but its going to be ok. im so sorry youve been thru so much lately. you know the saying when it rains it pours. but you are not alone. and after all, theres no where to go but up now right? this too shall pass and good times are ahead and more importantly, zeus will be back home where he belongs. re: the expense? boy i know what youre talking about. i wont even go into what i spent on my cats, but you are right, they are so worth it. and when you are feeling down and thinking how am i going to get thru this financially and otherwise, remember that the lord will reward you and bless you 10x over for taking care of one of his creatures and for having such a loving and big heart.
my prayers are with you. and please let us know how zeus is doing.
patricia

Hi Jan, sorry for ringing in so late here.
I had two males that regularly got blockages, my heart would stop when they would come
out the litter box without voiding for the first time.

You made the right decsion in keeping Zeus close to home.
What a great name for a kat. I'm sending all my postive karma your way.

Take Care

I'm glad Zeus made it through the surgery. Hopefully kidney damage will be minimal to non-existant since you were able to get him help right away.

We have two male cats that we have to monitor closely for kidney stones. Our vet recommended Dosquin which is a natural supplement used for joint inflammation but he has had remarkably good luck using it for cats with FLUTD. Our boys have been on it for years and it's worked great.

My sister's cat had to have P.U. surgery which removes the small portion of the urethra and the penis, and the larger opening was "re-routed" so he pees like a girl cat now. Supposedly stones can pass through this opening easier.

Anyway, I'm sending my thoughts and prayers your way and asking God to keep Zeus in His loving care.

((((HUGS))))
Deanna

Hi Nemo's Mom

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm so sorry that you are dealing with life threatening problems with Nubis and Ivy. I just found your thread and posted. I'm sorry you are going through all this, and that I didn't offer support earlier.

I just can't believe how quickly Zeus's condition was life threatening. I just cleaned his litter box, and it seemed like there was fresh pee in it. The vet tech said that with boy cats, one of the signs is licking themselves a lot. I recall him doing that once, but now I'll be on full alert. I need to also find out what a normal bladder feels like, so I know if something is not right.

I called my dad and he made it home - he said it looked worse than it was. But that's my dad - he underplays everything!

take care you too!

Jan

Patricia

Thank you for your faith, prayers and confidence. It was hard not to see him today, but the vet did finally call. She said he was bright but uncomfortable. He apparently pulled out his IV, but she said he was well hydrated now. She asked me if I wanted to give him a pain killer and I'm so glad she did, because I knew last night he was very much in pain. So I hope that helps him get through tonight. I will see him tomorrow and he will probably come home in the afternoon.

thanks again for your healing thoughts.

Jan.

Thanks Bue's Mommy

Were you able to prevent future blockages? I am so concerned that I won't see symptoms, like this last time. I will keep Zeus inside only until he is fully recovered so I can check the litter box.

He will be on preventative food for the rest of his life. I just hope that I am able to stop this from ever happening again, and really need to know what to look for in future...

He will have the catheter out tomorrow morning, then spend some time at the vet until early afternoon, so they can monitor if he is peeing on his own.

Thanks for sending all that positive energy and I'm hoping his healing will be rapid and complete!

Jan

Hi Deanna

Thanks for the info. I looked up Dasuquin and found this link - http://www.nutramaxlabs.com/products/anima...suquin_cats.asp

It only talks about joint inflammation, I wonder why it would help cats with FLUTD? The vet tech said that Zeus should only eat the medicated diet for crystal prevention, so I'm nervous to give him anything else... but also very interested in why the Dasuquin might work?

I hope my Zeus is feeling better tonight. Although I know he is getting the care he needs, I really want him back home.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. I hope they help Zeus to heal quickly and to feel more comfortable. My poor baby. He is so easy going and it's awful to see him in distress.

Jan.

So sorry, Jan, I missed all of this latest with you and Zeus.. I only have a minute here, but just wanted to add (what else?) a different slant on this.

Sabin had a few episodes of FLUTD, too, when he was younger, doing the licking thing, etc. He never did block, thankfully, but I had to monitor him for quite awhile. However, as usual, I did things differently, and as usual, it was (what else but?) homeopathic treatment that got rid of that problem for good. Before we had our integrative vet, as most cats do with regular vets, he got put on a 'preventive' canned food - for about a year, I think it was. He didn't care much for the stuff. Later, I found out more about what's in such food (already posted extensively on such things long ago, so wont' repeat myself here) and once I had our better vet, we pulled him off it. Along with the homeopathic modality, that's also when I began doing a raw food diet along with their high-quality canned food (NOT preventive stuff), and we never had another problem with any of that. What I learned, in essence, was that it's basically crappy food that most often causes crystal formation in the first place. So as I and all the "experts" keep saying, a high quality (and more natural if possible) diet is the single most key piece to the prevention of illness in the first place.

You want to avoid having that permanent catheterization operation if at ALL possible, as more cats than not have terrible problems once their urethra & penis has been removed, so it's no fun for either them or their people. There's lots of info. on the web about that now but that's what I learned from our vet long before such articles were so widely 'out there.'

The natural anti-inflammatory supplement might help, I'd hazard to guess, simply because it's helping to remove &/or avoid bodily inflammation in the first place.....if it also targets general inflammation and not just in joints. There are a number of good supplements that can be used for preventing &/or treating crystal formation, in both western herbals and Chinese herbals, but you need to have qualified vet. supervision in using them. Much, in the way of proper treatment, also depends on exactly which KIND(s) of crystals are present.

No, it's not great that Zeus is only checked up on every once in awhile at the clinic, but it's a tough call, and that's often the problem with rural living, with no Emerg. clinics close enough by. The lone Emerg. clinic we had when Sabin needed one (only once, and not for this, but for his initial collapse prior to his cancer diagnosis) was about an hour away, in the heart of the city. (things have expanded a lot since then)

In the meantime, you could try the same exercise I'd suggested to NM - here. (should be right up your alley)
You should also check out: this , even though it will now only be available as an "On Demand" class (not live, but the info. still downloadable with the smaller payment), and this, on food ingredients. And as always, there is often an emotional component to urinary blockages as well, so FEs can help as well (not going to link to all those I've posted as there are many, which can be found by using the search feature or "find member's topics" feature).

Here's a short list of some holistic vets around you, from another forum with people's recommendations:

Dr. Marlene Smith is the most amazing and incredible veterinarian. She does Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, western herbs, Chiropractic, homeopathy, essences and more. She also will work long distance around the world, with your regular veterinarian. She trains veterinarians in acupuncture in the U.S. and Canada and she is a past president of The American Holistic Veterinary Association. She is an incredibly warm, loving and gifted person. She works closely with Dr. Heather Matheson who shares her clinic with her, works with her, and is also incredibly amazing. They are the perfect team !!

The address is 1777 Riverside Lane, Courtenay B.C. Canada 250 338-2316 email is treeoflifevet@shaw.ca


Dr. Jane Kettner, is a wonderful friendly and talented animal Chiropractor. I have seen her do amazing things to help animals. Her address is 1389 Slater St. Victoria B.C. Canada V8X 2P8 her phone number is 250 384-3732 email is jkettnerdc@shaw.ca


My dog goes to Kindred Spirits Veterinary Hospital Inc.

Phone:250-380-9611
Address: 1248 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8V 3L2 Canada

They do acupuncture, homeopathy, herbs, and Chinese medicine as well as regular vet stuff. There are two vets working.


One of my clients has had great sucess with Dr. Alison Baylea in Victoria B.C. She does acupuncture and is a holistic veterinarian. She is also at Kindred Spirits.
Phone:250-380-9611 Address: 1248 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8V 3L2 Canada

I know there are even more homeo. vets in Vancouver, some of whom would likely work over the phone. At least one of them has taken advanced training with Dr. Pitcairn, too. See one such list here. (I notice there's a mobile vet there, too; not sure where-all she works, though)

Zeus and you are in my thoughts during yet another difficult time!

Hello all.

Thanks for the support, and at the moment things are looking good for Zeus. I was able to bring him home yesterday afternoon. Though he is still somewhat uncomfortable, he is using the litter box (quite frequently, I guess because of the irritation) but he is not blocked at the moment. He is good about taking his pills, but his throat is sore from the tube during surgery so he's coughing a bit. He was bright and chipper this morning, doing the usual jumping on my head for his morning meal. So I feel better. He was very glad to be home, purring lots and lots. You would not know he had been through life threatening surgery.

However, he says that the canned vet food tastes like shoe leather! I've been mixing in some of the dry food they gave with water and he eats that.

Thanks for all your prayers and support. Please continue sending your positive energy for his maximum healing.

Thanks for being there for me also.

Jan.

Hi F's mom

Thanks for all the resources. I am familiar with most of them and have even visited a few.

I am very uncertain about which route to go with holistic or vet based medicine. I myself went to a naturopath and acupuncturist when I had what turned out to be some life threatening health problems, and I almost died, literally. I haven't had success with the naturopathic diet for myself. The naturopath I went to suggested all sorts of things for me that I am extremely allergic to (and these were the results of her own allergy testing). The diet was so limiting and restrictive that there were basically no fruits I could eat... etc etc. So I am of very mixed opinion about some of the holistic practictioners out there.

I do agree that pet food is basically junk, and probably the vet pet food, is junk with meds added. I spoke to the vet tech about holistic alternatives and she believes that the diet Zeus is on is the safest right now.

I am really not sure. I really prefer animals to eat fresh foods, but I don't want to make matters worse right now. I know someone else who was going to one of the naturopathic vets for her dogs with cancer and the results were quite limited. This is not to say it wouldn't work for another animal, or that another practitioner may have a better plan, but just that I haven't had very positive experiences with some of the local holistic practitioners.

Having said that I am open to putting Zeus on a raw food diet or other diet, if there is evidence and support for this plan. It's so confusing with all the various opinions.

I will look into this more and appreciate any info you are offering. This morning I have the joy of working on my separation agreement. I am sure worn out!

Jan.

Just wanted to say hello and I'm coming in late also.

I am so glad Zeus made it throught the surgery and is at home. Bet that sure feels wonderful. (for the both of you)

Continued support and prayers!!!!!!

Keep us informed of his progress!!!

Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That certainly sounds like the news we were hoping from, we shall keep our positive waves and prayers coming your way, so glad that Zeus is better , and how great it must feel for him to be HOME with mama. Trust me Jan, those are the relationships worth living for! So rich, beyond the ordinary. Easy does it and may all be soothed as you should be, be well and soar towards life's so many wonderful new days and months and years. Offer quiet thanks and on towards the best, for you, for yours, for lives so well lived. Happy Easter

He will be on preventative food for the rest of his life. I just hope that I am able to stop this from ever happening again, and really need to know what to look for in future...

im so happy to hear that your little one is doing well and is back home where he is safe and happy. my cat riley too was on vet food for the remainder of his life. and even then we went through another round of urinary blockage, only this time i was prepared and we caught it very early on, before it became life threatening. it also happened about 6 years later. his vet told me that it is very common among male cats and it is hard to prevent it from happening again. but still we dont want our babies to suffer. so i just kept a lookout for the very obvious. i knew that riley was my little troublemaker, so that was sign number one for me. he slowed down and would sit still. his vet told me when they start having a blockage, it begins to feel very uncomfortable and eventually very painful, so they hold very still and try not to move. also i noted that riley would go to his litter box and hardly anything, if anything would come out. after the first time i kept a very close eye on that. the licking part, well he licked himself a lot anyways so i couldnt tell the difference. also i kept a very watchful eye on his weight because i noted that the first time it happened he was a little bit bloated. and the last thing was (as elementary as this may sound) i trusted my gut. and im glad i did, because the minute i felt something was wrong, i rushed him in. they were able to catch it very quickly and he was out in a day and a half. they told me that he didnt have any pain, he was just starting to feel a bit icky. i know all of these things i mentioned, really doesnt sound like much, but i hope it helps a little bit.
i certainly hope that you dont have to go thru this again, and i like to think that positive thinking is the key. just remember that for every hardship we go thru whether it be with our fur babies or in our own personal life, something can be learned. you will be a stronger person. remember "this too shall pass".
p

Thank you Patricia. I really hope I can catch signs in the future. I am quite afraid right now about this happening again. I need to feel his tummy more so I know what "normal" feels like.

Jan.

Hi Jan, the vet had me buy dry food with a low ash content. I'm not sure what the protocol is today?
The vet also said if I did feed them canned food, it should be chicken or turkey, this was a long time ago.
Twubby, and Ian had about 4 blockages between them, so the food did help.

I'm glad to hear your baby is on the mend Jan.
Till this day, if one of my feline crew goes into the litter box, and comes right back out, my heart stops.
None of my current kittez has ever had it. I have 2 girls, and one boy.

Take Care