Recurrent UTI neutered male cat

[Sean]

My boy Tetsu keeps having UTIs. The bug seems to be an e coli.
The vet gives something for pain (Buprenex XR) and some clavamox and it
clears up. The one trigger I know of it dry kibble. He is not allowed to
have that anymore. But we still get a outbreak now and then.

Most times when Tetsu has problems there is not any warning.
When I see that he is grumpy and going to the box often and
peeing blood in the urine. We go to the vet. No blockage is ever found
just an empty inflamed bladder. makes it hard to get a good sample.

Does anyone have any ideas on what myself and my Vet should
be looking for?


(Buprenex XR is buprenorphine)

Sean

 

[Patti]

Sounds like it's time to try a second generation antibiotic such as a cephalosporin.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I think that if you can't get enough sample to do a culture to know what you are treating, then Patti's suggestion is the best next step.

When you say "now and then" over what time period are these UTIs?

 

[Sean]

In the past it's been more than 6~9 months between outbreaks.
This last one happened June 20. 10 days on meds then he was
better till the 5th and back in again. I think it may be that the treatment
was too short. This was the emergency vet and if I recall my vet runs
the clavamox for about 20 days~month. Went to chat with my vet
we have enough to cover 10 more days on top of the 7 we are doing right
now. I will then give Tetsu 2 days off and then take him to get a UA and
culture to see what if nay thing will grow.

Lets hope for some good results.


Sean

 

[DumaLove]

One way you can get a good sample when it is time is to use Un-popped popcorn kernels as litter.

 

[Kristin]

If its recurrent it sounds like there might be an 'underlying' problem, perhaps a food sensitivity. Might be worth looking into

 

[Trishy]

I had a male DSH who had issues with recurrent UTIs but it was about 30 years ago. I finally started bringing him to the animal medical center in NYC. Months of trying different foods, testing, and changing to bottled water for him and nothing helped. Couldn't find anything environmental to cause him to develop the crystals that he couldn't pass. They finally said that he may just be genetically prone to them and did surgery to enlarge his opening. He never had another UTI after that. Trying to find exact data on cat foods back then was not easy.

If it does happen again I agree with Kristin about looking for an underlying problem that's causing them. And Dumalove, where were you 30 years ago when I could have used that excellent idea with the un-popped popcorn??

 

[Sean]

The one good thing is no blockage with this. Unlike his brother that seems to block
very easily with just too much dry kibble. That is the reason that Bella gets locked
in the utility room so she can eat her kibble. Tetsu will push his way in to her dish
when she is eating it. I would give up all the kibble if I could get that girl to eat
food that has the cat nutrients in her food. That in it's self is a long post.

So we just make sure that the boys can't get at her food when it out.

My vet did say that raw tends to lower the urine and reduce the formation
of struvite crystals (Mokkun's problem). Tetsu likes raw and if I can get
bella to eat a mixed raw food I would really love to switch all 3 over.

I have 2 very picky eaters and one that eats anything that is cat food. I bet he
(Mokkun) would even eat dog food and it a good thing I don't have one.

Here is the really funny thing. Tetsu loves Black Walnut Ice-cream and that is all.
No one likes milk at all. The one really odd food thing is that both of the boys like
KFC chicken. Explain that one I can't.

We do have water in 2 fountains and extra large stainless steel bowl in the kitchen
for Bella to play in. So everyone has access to water all over the house. 2 cat boxes
on the lower floor and one up stairs. So I don't think it's a box issue.

Don't know if this makes any difference of not I do keep fresh live cat (wheat) grass
for the cats to eat and everyone takes there turns mowing it down at times.

Tetsu tends to be the quiet one. but he will also ambush Bella at times.

Sort of trying to get all that I can think of out.

Oh on the caned we never use any thing with any gravy. It's all pate or chunk.

Thanks for all the help.




Sean

 

[Patti]

One way you can get a good sample when it is time is to use Un-popped popcorn kernels as litter.

You can also you the gravel that is used for the bottom of fish tanks - works great!

 

[Trishy]

I'm glad that blockage is ruled out and hoping that finishing the antibiotics clears it up.

I guess it's like detective work. You just keep trying to rule factors out until you figure the cause. Fingers crossed that after it clears up it doesn't EVER come back. s to you and Tetsu, I hope he feels better soon.