update on Jerry

[Shelley123]

we are back from the vet with jerry, he was such a good boy. The vet thinks it's probably Cystitis and could be the start of a chronic cystitis problem. This time there was no blood in his wee but there was white blood cells.
He doesn't want to do further tests due to Jerry's age and also because other than this problem he feels he is a healthy cat. He has another course of AB's and we can ring up and request more whenever the problem flares up.
I mentioned that he wasn't going out much at all during the day, possibly due to the dogs and he said that a change in behaviour like this can cause Cystitis. I am going to continue to encourage Jerry into the garden at regular intervals so he can empty his bladder. He also suggested we try Jerry with a covered litter tray so he doesn't have to go out if he doesn't want to.
He's just finished his tea and will no doubt have a snooze before going out later.

[lynz85]

aww poor jerry! hope the ab's clear it up for him, shame it sounds like he's going to get this on and off! we have a covered litter tray for pip he loves going in and digging about, chucking out mess in the process!! will be good for jerry as he'l get more privacy if the dogs are about

[angieh]

Oh bless him - healing vibes coming from me and mine. He's not diabetic is he Shelley? I expect that's one of the first things the vet would test for. Hope that the anti-bs work quickly for him.

[Velvet]

Awh bless him, all our trays are covered and our cats love them. We have 3 extra large covered trays and they are the most favoured even with the kittens

Hugs. Xx

[Shelley123]

Thanks for your good wishes, Angie the vet was very reluctant to do any further testing at this point, i did wonder about diabetes myself but i assume from the history and Jerry's condition he feels it's ok to leave it.
I think he's weighing up the distress which would be caused to Jerry by tests and i'm not as keen to press for things since we lost our elderly dog in the vets waiting room due to stress.

[Shelley123]

Hello, i could do with some opinions about Jerry.
Here's a quick recap.
He's 16 and quite well apart from weak hind legs which we think is hereditary. Jerry is a good weight and eating very well, however he has developed a problem with his waterworks, wearby he wets in the house maybe one or two times a week.
The vet whom is very well thought of localy has suggested that he has chronic cystitus and to treat as and when needed. He is not keen at all to do any blood tests because of Jerry's age and because he is otherwise healthy. I do see his point as we lost a dog at the vets due to fear, he had a heart attack.
I am taking Jerry into the garden to relieve himself as he is not over keen to go out sometimes.
He has just finished a course of AB's and is still having the odd accident, he sometimes wees on me as i carry him into the garden. He also produces very hard poo.
My gut feeling is that he needs tablets to support his kidneys but i wonder if the vet is reluctant to prescribe because of side effects and he thinks that whilst Jerry seems ok apart from wetting it's better to leave alone ?

[angieh]

I wonder if having another talk with the vet would help Shelley? Tell him what you feel about kidney support - does Jerry eat renal support food? I don't know whether you can test for diabetes with a urine swab like you can with humans, but that would avoid having to submit Jerry to a blood test.

There is something you can give to soften stools .... can't think of the name just now, or try him on pumpkin - if you can find it and get Jerry to eat some!

[Mags]

Katalax laxative paste is good for mild constipation, that may help Jerry, Shelley...

It is a lot cheaper to buy online than from your vet.

[pinklizzy]

Sorry if I've missed it but is Jerry on any supplements for urinary tract health (cystaid, cystophan etc which help to maintain the protective layer within the bladder and urinary tract)
It is possible to pick up glucose in a urine sample and it may be worth getting another sample to check his ability to concentrate his urine as well as checking for any protein loss etc.
I would've thought that your vet would require a blood sample before prescribing any specific pharmaceuticals for renal support but obviously you'd need to speak to your vet for more advice.
Lactulose can be good for constipation although most cats seem to hate it as it is quite sweet, katalax or similar (for hairballs) can also help as it contains liquid paraffin.

[Shelley123]

thanks Angie, Mags and PL.
I have tried Jerry on pumkin and unfortunately he won't eat it.
He isn't on any kidney support suppliments.
The vet just advised Ab' when he needs them.
I think i'm going to have to ring him on Monday and talk things through. I get the impression we should leave well alone but i can't shake the feeling we should be doing more. A few people i've spoke to who know the vet tell me to just trust what he's said, but it realy worries me when Jerry wees when i pick him up. I'm not bothered about cleaning up, just that we want to maintain his health for as long as possible.

[pinklizzy]

Somewhere, probably in big pile of paperwork!, I've got a book about FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract) in cats that you are more than welcome to borrow. It's got a lot of good advice and practical tips.

[Shelley123]

Somewhere, probably in big pile of paperwork!, I've got a book about FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract) in cats that you are more than welcome to borrow. It's got a lot of good advice and practical tips.

That would be marvellous PL.
I feel better knowing i can get something like cystaid, i'd never heard of it before. I'm also going to put him back on laxapet. The vet told me that parafin ? and oil as in fish oil will do the same job but he won't eat the fish or food that i put oil on.
I thought there was a web site that our last vet reccomended, i think it is called fab cats but it doesn't seem to be what i thought.
My plan is to ring the vet tomorrow for a chat

[Elaine]

Hi Shelly, just wanted to ask, did your vet take a blood sample? I assume he would have checked the ph of his wee, did he happen to mention its concentration?
My gut feeling would be to get a blood count done to confirm or deny kidney issues.
CRF cats are prone to cystitis, constipation and hind leg weakness, given his age, I'd say that everything is relevant. xxx

[pinklizzy]

I'll dig it out tomorrow for you, I'd second Elaine's suggestion for a blood sample-it doesn't necessarily have to be very stressful, I'm sure the staff will do everything they can to make it as quick and painless as possible.

[Shelley123]

Hi Elaine and PL, the vet is not keen at all to take a blood sample and i'm a bit scared to push as , we lost our dog due to stress on a vets visit. I did assume that he would do a blood test on our second visit.He has tested his urine twice and found blood the first time which went once he'd been on AB's. The next time there were white blood cells.I think the problem with the hind legs is a neurological condition that is hereditary as all the boys as far as we know from the litter had weak hind legs, Jerry's of course are worse as he has survived the longest. The female of the litter is fine, despite living a hard life. Generaly Jerry does look in good condition for his age and the vet was surprised at how old he is.I'm going to ring him tomorrow to discuss my concerns and will update. Thanks ever so much for the feedback everyone

[farthing]

Although I know you are worried about the stress at the vets, it's very unusually to die, so I would push for blood tests if the worry of a heart attack is stopping you. If he needs treatment it's better to catch it sooner when you can do something about it.
Do you have a litter tray, it may be that he really does not want to go outside and holding it in is causing cystitis. It may also be difficult for him to feel safe weeing, especially if he has hind leg weakness and he will feel much happier to use a covered litter tray in a quiet spot. I would strongly advise a litter tray anyway, because if he has either cystitis or renal issues he will want to pee more than normal and if he doesn't want to go out it will make him very uncomfortable.

[Shelley123]

thanks Farthing, yes i am worried about heart attack because our dog did actualy keel over in the vets waiting room and die, it was horrific.
I do know what your saying about catching anything early and this is why i've phoned the vet today. I think he's looked at the general condition of Jerry and thought it's better to leave alone.
However i have spoke to the nurse today, i asked to speak to the vet when convinient, to be told i'd be lucky as he was operating .
I managed to rise above it and told her my concerns, she has said she understands and will ask the vet again what he thinks and get back to me.i asked her about cystaid and she said the problem would be medicating him as this could cause further stress and trigger an attack. This wouldn't actualy be a problem as i medicate him using chicken pieces.
I have tried a litter tray but not a covered one yet.
I'm taking him out at regular intervals to wee.

[Shelley123]

Update on the boy !
Jerry isn't using the litter tray, i tried putting a couple of tissues with his wee in it but no result, except silly Kwame went in and ate the tissues i think as there's no sign of them.
The vet has decided to give Jerry Fortekor tablets to support his kidneys and some chill pills in the form of Zyklene. We are to report back in approx 10 days, so here's hoping.
I think deep down i knew he had kidney failure and i feel like we are doing everything possible for him. Going to order some more laxapet to help his bowels.
His wee sample tonight tested clear, he led me a merry dance around the garden to get it.

[angieh]

It's brilliant that his wee sample was clear Shelley - you must be encouraged by that.

[Mrskatyb]

Just been following your story, lots of love to you and jerry x

[Shelley123]

I meant to say also a big thank you for all your comments, suggestions and support, it's realy helpful