OK, my biggest confusion is did they do a catheter at the vet? Because
really, you'd have to at least have had that done. Then yes, changing the
food, WAY increase water intake are going to be your best options. The op IS
the last resort but highly successful if you HAVE to go that way. IT really
is a matter of life and death, so if he blocks repeatedly, the operation is
truly necessary. I think I would consider it necessary in my cat after a
third blockage.

Bleeding is usually caused by inflammation or irritation of the lower
urinary mucosal from crystals cutting into the bladder and/or urethral
walls-- or tearing of the bladder mucosa from straining to urinate-- or from
overdistention of the bladder in male cats with a urethral obstruction.

A UTI cannot be confirmed without analyzing a urine sample that was taken
directly from the bladder (cystocentesis) to avoid contamination with
bacteria that normally inhabit the distal urinary tract.  Most cats with
UTIs have *no* clinically observable symptoms.  The vast majority or cats
'diagnosed' with UTIs actually have idiopathic cystitis, and/or crystalluria
and/or urolithiasis.

Your neighbor needs to find a competent vet.  The cat probably has
crystalluria or more likely urolithiasis which is causing a partial or
complete urinary tract obstruction.  Male cats can *die* from urinary tract
obstructions. A complete obstruction produces a pathophysiologic state
equivalent to oliguric *acute renal failure* and is a true urologic
*emergency*.

Did the vet catheterize the cat and try to flush the crystal/urolith back
into the bladder so the poor cat could urinate?  Sometimes stones and
crystals can be retrieved by catheterization.

The cat needs to be treated *immediately* before permanent damage is done to
bladder and or urethral mucosa.

However, it seems odd that there

The usual treatment is either catheterization to flush the stone back into
the bladder or cystocentesis to relieve the pressure behind the stone.
Neither of these procedures are expensive.  Often the catheter is sewn in
place for a few days while drugs and/or diet are used to dissolve the
crystals or stone (if the stone is struvite).  Fluids should be given to
restore the cat's electrolyte balance and help flush the bladder.

Before drugs or a special diet can be recommended, the stone *must* be
analyzed.  Otherwise, the vet might prescribe a diet to treat the wrong
crystal-- which will make the problem enormously worse.

Surgery is a last resort.  The procedure is called "perineal urethrostomy"
which literally turns a male cat into an anatomical female and creates a
urethral opening too big to become obstructed again.

Your neighbor should not delay treatment.  The must be treated
*immediately*.

Good luck,

Phil

This happened to my cat just over a year ago.  Snoopy was at the point of
throwing up bile when I took him in to the vet.
He spent a few days there. A catheter was used and his bladder was rinsed
of crystals.  The cost of the process was $1000.00 Cdn.
A change in food seemed to cure the problem. The operation basically
involves widening the urinary canal and removal of the penis, virtual
changing it into a vagina.  This would allow any further crystals to pass
through.  So far Snoopy hasn't had a need for this operation. (whew! - from
both of us)

I still give some dry food but only that certified for urinary problems.  I
also moisten some of the dry food over night and mix it with canned food.
The canned food also is certified for urinary problems.  Since starting
this regiment, I (or rather the cat) hasn't had any problems.

Good luck

Ramboyd

======

"My Ottawa Includes Corruption"

Just to follow up...I was given a document that outlines "Feline
Urologic Syndrome," which was given to the pet owner on their way out
the door of the veterinary office and were told that this was so that
if they ever have another cat they can recognize the symptoms.  I have
my own opinion about this documenth because I find that the document
does not follow what was performed at the office, but I am posting it
for review/opinion...there may be a few typos, but there were several
in the original document and I'm posting this without much review...I'm
leaving their typos in.

"Feline Urologic Syndrome is a very frustrating condition to the
veterinarian, client and the cat.

It is of the most serious and distressing cat diseases confronting cat
owners and veterinarians.  FUS occurs in all breeds and ages, male and
female, neutered and non-neutered, indoor and outdoor cats, and in
those fed all type foods.

Feline urinary problems are currently the subject of much research, but
the exact cause is still unknown and considered very complex.  Possible
causes may include heredity, diet, infections and stress.

Early signs of trouble include:
- Irritability and restlessness
- Bloody urine
- Frequent trips to the litter box
- Straining while in a squatting position
- Urinating in unaccustomed places about the house

Cats with more advanced FUS may vomit or drool, cry with pain, strain
constantly, or have a tender abdomen.  These later signs often mean
that the cat cannot pass urine because of sand stones or mucus plugs in
the urinary passages plugging the urethra so urine cannot be expelled.
If a veterinarian does not relieve the obstruction promptly, the cat
will die!

FUS can be an EMERGENCY situation if complete blockage has occurred.
Prompt treatment is essential for survival!  Treatment is directed at
removing the obstruction, preventing infection, and maintaining the
normal body fluid balance.  With early treatment, most FUS cases
respond well; however, recurrence within a few hours to a few months is
common, and some patients dies from the disease complications.  In
recurring cases, surgery may be recommended to enlarge the urinary
opening to prevent the BLOCKAGE.

HOME CARE:

MEDICATIONS:
- Antibiotics as directed for the infection
- Use a MINIMUM of 3 WEEKS!
- Antispasmodics as directed for spasms and straining
- Drugs to encourage water consumption, increase urine volume, and
stimulate bladder function.

DIET:  (Most IMPORTANT to prevent RECURRENCE!)
- After 60 days, feed nothing but Prescription Diet C/D to prevent
recurrence
- Clean, FRESH drinking water (change daily)
- Feed NOTHING BUT Feline Prescription Diet s/d for 60 days.  (Two
months).

- The foods that is acceptable, BUT much less desirable than the above.

- 9 Lives Country Chicken & Gravy
- 9 Lives Choice Cuts & Cheese
- 9 Lives Tuna & Chicken
- 9 Lives Savory Stew
- 9 Lives Beef & Egg
- Friskies Beef & Liver Buffet
- Tender Vittles varieties that do NOT contain fish
- Purina One for UTI

ACTIVITY:  Encourage exercise.

MANAGEMENT:
- Do NOT leave your cat unattended for extended times, indoors or out
(days)
- If you must board your cat, be sure to inform the attendant to watch
for danger signs.
- Check litter pan daily for signs of urination and abnormal urine.
- Use tomato juice to acidify the urine (1/2 cup given 2-3 times/week)
if cat will drink it
- Willingly - most will!

NOTIFY THE CLINIC IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ARE OBSERVED:
- Straining to urinate
- Crying when urinates
- Urinating in areas other than normal for you cat
- Frequent trips to the litter box
- Vomiting
- Refusal to eat
- Bloody urine
- Depression
- Any other abnormality for your cat.

Proper diet and urinary acidifiers will successfully manage most cases.
Recurrences usually are the result of failure to properly regulate the
diet or failure to give medications as directed.  In practically EVERY
case of recurrence we see, the owner has switched off Prescription Diet
C/D!

When recurrences do occur, surgery may be recommended to enlarge the
urethral opening.  This will usually prevent urinary obstruction BUT
does NOT prevent recurring cystitis (bladder infection).   Once a
bladder infection has occurred, it often will return later in life,
just as in humans.

PROPER DIET IS THE KEY TO PREVENTING RECURRENCE!"