Cat and Surgery....(sigh)

[tonyc]

My 10 yr Male Cat had emergency surgery on Sunday.

His Urinary Tract was blocked and was unable to urinate. After the surgery they left the Catheter in.....and watched him for a 2 days. He was able to eat and while he had a catheter in him was able to urinate. However, yesterday they took the catheter out of him...he was still unable to urinate. I went to the vet today...and he said that he would try one more time...and if not successful....we should put him down. He brought out my Cat...and he looked ok. Obviously he was not happy about being in a Hospital.....but he didn't look sick. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I guess all I can do is pray for him. He's been a friend for 10 yrs...And I hope he makes it. Any constructive input would be appreciated...

Thanks very much

~Tony

[nanamouse]

I don't have any worthwhile advice or words of wisdom, but you do have my sympathy and prayers. Hopefully he'll improve and you won't have to make that decision yet.

[tiffers]

...have they taken xrays to be sure there aren't any stones? That's my main concern, considering he could pee with a catheter...but not without.

[special]

welcome to pet lovers, though I am sorry it is such a situation that has brought you here. What kind of surgery did you cat have? Was it PU surgery? (Perineal Urethrostomy)

here is a link to some information that may be of use to you.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_urinary_blockage.html

the top part describes the cathertization procedures, scrolling down will take you to PU surgery info.

Can your cat be moved? I was wondering if you could get a second opinion.

I will be praying things get better for your beloved companion. do please come back and let us know how things are going.

[tonyc]

Hi all,

The Vet tried again....stuck another Catherter in My Cat...and he's peeing again...but not on his own.

I wonder if he can fully recover from this?

....or if he does recover....will he ever be able to urinate on his own?

Its tough....

Its a quality of life issue....

Anyway...they are keeping over the weekend and will remove the catherter on Monday. At that time, we will know if he can urinate on his own.

thanks again for your input and kind words...

~Tony

[tiffers]

Tony, has previously mentioned...what kind of surgery did your kitty have? Are they just putting in catheters? Have they done xrays to check for stones? ...stones can certainly be a reason why he cannot pee on his own but can with a catheter.

[tonyc]

Sorry guys...i'm a little confused.

They just put a cathater in him. They had to knock him out to do this...so i guess that is surgery.

The vet did mention that surgery was an option...but now we are talking big bucks..i believe.

I spoke with the vet today...and she said hopefully we can get him to urinate on his own...and that he was able to flush out the crystals in his system.

I'm new to this so forgive me if i gave the wrong info.

~T

[tiffers]

I'm wondering if they've checked him for stones by taking Xrays. Has your vet mentioned Xrays to you at all?

[special]

Sorry guys...i'm a little confused.

They just put a cathater in him. They had to knock him out to do this...so i guess that is surgery.

The vet did mention that surgery was an option...but now we are talking big bucks..i believe.

I spoke with the vet today...and she said hopefully we can get him to urinate on his own...and that he was able to flush out the crystals in his system.

I'm new to this so forgive me if i gave the wrong info.

~T

Goodness you don't need to apologize! You are dealing with a scary situation here! It can be easy to get cnfused over even much simpler health issues!

One thing that helps me is to keep a type of journal where I write down all my questions, so I don't forget any, and then when I talk to the vet, I write down the answers. this helps me pay attention and remember, and also gives me a reference for later, when I can't remember what was said.

According to the link I posted, it is not uncommon to use general anesthesia to insert the catheter.

I know two cats who have had PU surgery and have done very well afterwards, and are living happy trouble free lives now.

I imagine it is very expensive. If it comes to that and money is the deciding factor, see if your vet accepts the Care Credit program. this is a line of credit specifically for vet bills (or people medical bills, also)

Do stick around for support, and if you wouldn't mind, please share anything you learn about this terrible disorder with us.

[tonyc]

Ok...so he has not had PU surgery....but if he cant urinate, i imagine the vet will want to do this procedure.

I wonder what quality of life the cat will have after the surgery?

[tiffers]

Tony, I've been asking this question quite a few times. Have they taken Xrays of his bladder?!

A PU surgery will not help him if he has stones.

[tonyc]

sorry Tiffers...

No...they have not taken an x-ray of his bladder.....

QUESTION: Why wouldn't the surgery help if he has stones?

[tiffers]

QUESTION: Why wouldn't the surgery help if he has stones?
In short, the PU surgery is cutting off the end of the penis to make it wider to allow crystals and whatnot to pass more easily. If he has a stone blocking him up, a PU surgery won't help him until you get the stones out. I am SHOCKED they've not taken Xrays on him if he is not peeing on his own. :eek: ...that'd be the next step for you, for sure. Xrays first. If he has no stones, and is otherwise healthy, a PU surgery may benefit him greatly. He will, though, need to remain on a special diet to help decrease his chances of developing stones and crystals afterwards. PU surgeries are not common, and are QUITE expensive.

10 is not that old for a kitty. Many to live to 15 or higher. I think that as long as he's otherwise healthy, I'd exhaust all your efforts that you possibly can. I am pulling for him, too...as urinary issues are stressful and seriously painful. Is he on IV fluids to help flush the crystals from his bladder?

[tonyc]

Thanks Tiffers....

[tiffers]

You're welcome. I hope he's on IV fluids and everything, and I certainly hope he recovers from all this. It's very common for male kitties to get blocked this type of year, so don't think it's anything that you did.

[tonyc]

Todays update.

DR. took the cathater out of my Cat....and will study him for one day to see if he can urinate. If he can't...i have to make a decision.

The decision is to have the operation (PU) or put the cat to sleep.

I hope he goes by himself today....we will see...

Thanks for all your encouragement...

~tony