Blocked Bladder, again and again....

[(GTV)Chris]

Hi There

One of our cats "OSCAR" developed recently crystals in his bladder and he was blocked which meant, draining and Cathater and 3 nights at the Vet's.
Then 2 weeks later, he was blocked again...This time the bladder was drained only...and just before the put the catheter in...he went to the toilet
10 days later I let him out and instantly he started straining outdoors, so I brought him in...he looked distressed for a moment than in the comfort of his litter tray he went to the toilet.
He is on a special diet to disolve the crystals and we give him plenty of water with it.
Do you think him straining out doors is a psycological condition or does the blockage come and go?
His is overwieght which we are working on...
We are very keen to get this sorted as he is only 8yrs and such a beautiful happy cat. But spending £200 each time he gets blocked is a nightmare
Thinking of losing him is too much to bear...
Has anyone had similar experiences?

Cheers

Chris

[spacemonkey]

What exactly is this food? Because if it's dry, even prescription, the problem will not be solved. The best way to prevent blockages is for him to eat a high-quality canned only diet.

[(GTV)Chris]

Hi there

It is prescription.
"Royal Canin" Urinary tract
It is a soft food in pouches and we mix it with a little water..

Cheers


Chris

[spacemonkey]

Well, that's a great food A lot of times stress can cause bladder problems. Any changes in the home? In the routine or the environment? I wish our resident vet was here, but here's an articles she wrote on the matter:

Urinary Tract Disorders in Cats

[AddFran]

I don't think Royal Canin is a great food at all.
At all.
Plus, is this actually a WET food pouch like the nutro ones in the foil pouches with a gravy, or is it just moist kibble-like food? If it's the latter, I'd consider switching to a higher quality canned food.

You may also want to invest in a pet fountain. Both of my cats increased their water consumption quite a bit when we added it.

[emma_pen]

I know what you are going through, we have quite a few clients with cats who have gotten repeatedly blocked, despite repeated catheterisation and prescription diets (I am a veterinary nurse). Unfortunately, most of these have had to resort to surgery as a final option after repeated blockages - a procedure called a urethrostomy, a delicate surgery where the urethral opening is actually widened, allowing the crystals to pass easier. OUCH - just thinking about it makes me wince!

The surgery has had differing effects on individual cats, I have known 2 cats that it did not ease the problem but for a few weeks, yet know quite a few where it just about cures them! It might be worth discussing such a procedure with your vet for their opinion, though it may need referral to a specialist.

(Oh, and I think the Urinary RCW is fine to feed.)

[AddFran]

Originally Posted by emma_pen

(Oh, and I think the Urinary RCW is fine to feed.)

Emma, would you mind giving your opinion on this food? I know you state that you feel it's fine, but is that just because you see it a lot at your hospital?

Royal Canin is not that good of a food. I'm not quite sure if this is a canned type diet or not, but wet food is also much better for cats suffering from this, so why would you recommend this product?

I'm not challenging you, I'm asking your honest reasoning behind recommending this food, because I can't figure it out.

[(GTV)Chris]

Hi

It is like canned food but in a pouch - and expensive
It is very soft and wet, and adding the extra water seems to be flushing fhim through...fingers crossed.
He is a very nervous cat and doesn't like to be watched going to the toilet.
I would be keen to hear of any alternative foods?
Also, where do I get a cat fountain from....sounds intruiging..


Chrisx

[AddFran]

Hmm, you are in the UK, so I can't recommend any stores to you, but I'll see if I can find one online. They are about $30.00 US.

[AddFran]

Oh, and I really think you could do much better in terms of the food IF you are feeding the food that Emma_pen referred to above.

Here are the ingredients of the dry version:
INGREDIENTS:
RICE, GROUND CORN, CHICKEN FAT, CHICKEN MEAL, CORN GLUTEN MEAL, NATURAL FLAVORS, DRIED EGG POWDER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, CELLULOSE POWDER, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CHOLINE CHLORIDE, CALCIUM CARBONATE, CALCIUM SULFATE, TAURINE*, VITAMINS [DL-ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ACETATE (SOURCE OF VITAMIN E), BIOTIN, D-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, NIACIN, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), VITAMIN A ACETATE, VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENT, THIAMINEE MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), VITAMIN B12 SUPPLEMENT, RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), FOLIC ACID], TRACE MINERALS [ZINC OXIDE, FERROUS SULFATE, COPPER SULFATE, MANGANOUS OXIDE, SODIUM SELENITE, CALCIUM IODATE], PRESERVED WITH NATURAL MIXED TOCOPHEROLS, ROSEMARY EXTRACT, AND CITRIC ACID.

Here are the ingredients of the canned version:
INGREDIENTS:
WATER, MEAT BY-PRODUCTS, CHICKEN BY-PRODUCTS, ANIMAL FAT (PRESERVED WITH BHA/BHT), NATURAL FLAVORS, TRACE MINERALS (SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE, CALCIUM SULFATE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, CALCIUM CARBONATE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, ZINC SULFATE), GUAR GUM, CARRAGEENAN, CAROB GUM, TAURINE, VITAMINS (CHOLINE CHLORIDE, DL-ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ACETATE [SOURCE OF VITAMIN E], VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENT, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE [VITAMIN B6], FOLIC ACID), DL-METHIONINE.



Neither are very good. I posted that info. from this website:
http://www.walthamusa.com/Learning%20Center/SO30.html