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Post by thecatsmother on Sept 12, 2014 10:36:12 GMT
Hi, I have a 2 x 5 year old Maine Coon neutered males one of who has been getting urine infections since he was a year old! The first one nearly killed him as my vet? kept saying nothing was wrong with him, wouldn't take a sample! He stopped eating, I had to hand feed him it was a nightmare! Eventually I demanded a referral to The Small Animal Hospital in Glasgow and there it was discovered he had a severe kidney infection which they said probably started off as a urine infection! They also found out he had only one kidney! Poor Jazzpurr was on antibiotics for months, thank goodness for pet insurance! My vet, when given the letter from the hospital said ' get your money back from the breeder!' I promptly changed vets! He still got infections over the years but they were dealt with quickly before they got too far! The problem now is that my vet has retired and the new vet said his problems are behavioural and isn't keen on giving antibiotics (he says they don't help) He was an indoor cat so we spent a fortune on cat fencing and he has access to the garden and since last Christmas no infections! However, its back! Can anyone please give me advice please I am getting desperate! I get the feeling this vet thinks I'm just a mad cat woman, but I've invested a lot of time in him and I'm not giving up now! He is such a gorgeous boy! Sorry this is so long!
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Post by zahada on Sept 12, 2014 11:43:22 GMT
What an awful experience.
What symptoms is your cat displaying?
What exactly does the vet describe as behavioural problems? Has he tested the urine to rule out infection?
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Post by tonib on Sept 12, 2014 13:27:58 GMT
Welcome to the forum thecatsmother Sorry that Jazzpurr (what a lovely name!) is suffering & only has one kidney. Well done for asking for that referral.. Is the vet saying the behavioural problems are causing the infections? I know that stress can cause cystitis in cats. What advice is the new vet giving for a) dealing with the symptoms & b) finding & curing the cause. An old member of this forum had cat(s) that regularly got cystitis & besides the antibiotic/anti-inflammatory treatment they were given Zyklene tablets as a stress reducer. Found this article which is quite detailed but may help www.icatcare.org:8080/advice/cat-health/feline-idiopathic-cystitis-fic
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Post by thecatsmother on Sept 12, 2014 13:52:11 GMT
Hi, thanks for answering. Zahada, Jazzpurr has not been himself for about a week, so depressed looking, not playing or interested in anything and sleeping a lot. He also has started to not exactly wee, but little spots of really strong smelling wee in the sink and bath. His urine has been tested and there is an infection there but it shouldn't be bothering him! Tonib, the vet said behavioural problems causing infections! Can't understand how he can be stressed, he has access to approx 600 square metres of garden with lots of hiding places, lots of towers, cats trees indoors too. No other cats can get into the garden so I doubt that can be a problem. Oh how I wish he could talk! He is going to vets tonight again to discuss options! Poor wee man!
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Post by zahada on Sept 12, 2014 14:17:30 GMT
He has an infection in his urinary tract and it should not be bothering him? I would ask the vet to explain in more detail. There are non antibiotic products that can help maintain a healthy bladder - such as Cystaid.
His stress can come from seeing, hearing or smelling other cats outside the man made territory he lives in, or even his housemate.
Another product that can help relieve stress is Feliway - plug in and spray.
In view of his history I would be inclined to contact a feline behaviourist to see if alterations to the environment could help free him from the mysery of recurring infections.
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Post by tonib on Sept 12, 2014 15:04:50 GMT
It does sound like something is upsetting him. I suppose the question is which comes first the infection or the stress/depression. There was another site which gave some info/help www.grovelodgevets.co.uk/advice/cystitis-in-catszahada's advice about Feliway plug-ins/sprays is good & there's also another product, Pet Remedy, which works by using calming herbals (valerian etc.) Again available as plug-in diffusers & sprays. Sounds like your cats have a lovely garden, thecatsmother Has anything changed in the house/garden or have you had visitors etc. that might have upset him? Good luck at the vets, they may even refer you to a feline behaviourist. They usually work by vet referral only.
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