Discover Top Posts Tagged with #flutd

Don't panic, but I think there is a HUMONGOUS rat in my dresser... and it keeps staring at me

If you want to support Jojo's fatness, then please consider donating to my Ko-fi or commissioning me at [email protected]

#cat #cats of tumblr #catblr #cats #pets #photo #cute cats #buy me a kofi #kofi #donate if you can #donations #flutd #flutd cats

Varys is going to be eleven this year, and he's still as loud and demanding as ever; he isn't yawning or hissing in this pic, this is just how he looks when he's "talking." Yes, he is missing his upper incisors; the photo is unedited.

Varys is a life-long resident of ACS because he has a few health and behavioral concerns that will require lifelong care. He is prone to urinary issues and requires a special diet to minimize the chances of a blockage, which can be fatal in cats. He actually was surrendered needing emergency care for an active blockage, which was a repeated issue, so he had a surgery called a perineal urethrostomy to reduce the chance of reoccurrence. We monitor his urine output and water intake carefully, and feed an entirely wet diet to maximize hydration, which is an important preventative measure.

In addition to his special diet, Varys needs a low dust litter and very clean litter box to prevent UTIs, and because of his past issues with painful urination, he sometimes urinates outside of the litterbox. Inappropriate soiling is a major reason cats are surrendered, and while often the problem can be solved with different litter, a cleaner litterbox, diagnosing and treating chronic pain or urinary disease, removing environmental stressors, medicating for anxiety, or other lifestyle changes, some cats do become habitual soilers, and it makes them hard to place. We have a space specifically for cats who are unadoptable habitual house soilers, so he lives there with a few friends who also have naughty potty habits.

#animal rescue #cat #cats #kitty #kitties #meezer #vetmed #veterinary medicine #cat behavior #cat health #flutd #rescue cat #rescue cats

i kinda feel like i've lost my purpose alongside goose. he was able bodied (mostly, he did have some balance issues) but he still needed a lot of care that other cats didn't. i structured my entire life around him, making sure he was in the most low stress environment possible.

for those who aren't aware, the condition he had was most easily triggered by stress. and as much as i would have done things differently now, he was a covid cat, so he was very very attached to me. his condition had a tendancy to get worse if i wasn't around.

i declined invites to things, cancelled things if he flared up too close to the event, sat close by all day to monitor him when he was flaring up, gave him his medication even when he spat it out and was mad at me for it.

it's one thing to lose my little guy. it's another thing to not have a purpose anymore on top of that. i don't know if this makes sense but i have seen some other people with sick/medically needy animals say similar things. i will be okay but for the time being i feel like i have to re-learn how to spend my days.

anyone who's been through the same/similar i'd really like to hear your experiences and how you coped

#pet grief #cat grief #personal #flutd #feline lower urinary tract disease

So as much as I hate doing this, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take stiltzkin to the vet. We all know just how much this cat means to me. He is my rock. I've had him since day 1. And I hate seeing him in pain. If anyone could spare even a dollar to his case, it would make getting him seen easier. We are going through a difficult time right now, death of the family, my surgery turning into a huge infection, maintenance in and out of the apartment, and I'm sure the stress is adding to his issues.

So please, even if it is to just reblog and boost this, it would be appreciated.

PayPal: paypal.me/allybenn

Venmo: Allyssa-Bennett-94

#donations #stiltzkin need help #flutd #cat bladder stones #vet help #picture for tax

Alrighty, so I tried something a little different for this video, putting it somewhere between a case study and an explanation of the pathology and treatment. I think it makes it more interesting, even though it makes it a longer video. Tell me what you think of the format.

There’s also some procedure footage in there, but it is very tame and not at all gory, considering the topic.

Cat penises, folks. The topic is cat penises and what happens when they get blocked.

#veterinarian #vetblr #dr ferox #youtube #blocked cat #urethral obstruction #flutd #FIC #feline lower urinary tract disease #feline idiopathic cystitis

Gumi Update: Overview

So by now, I'm sure you're aware that Gumi has Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). He has been suffering through incidents since late August last year. Since then: - 4 individual blockages have occurred: 1 crystal induced, two mucus plugs, and one blood clot - at least 7 UTIs. At least. I lost count. - 1 major surgery (perineal urethrostomy) to reconstruct his urethral opening - 3 other unblocking procedures + 3 day over night stays - not to mention all the medications with different time frames, supplements, and special dietary concerns We have spent well over $7000 at this point. Needless to say it has been a nightmare for everyone involved. It is now April, and we are contending with yet another flare up - about 1 week after we finished a third consecutive round of antibiotics following the last UTI event. This time tho, Gumi is displaying different symptoms - straining to pee but not yowling, bloody urine but in good regular-sized eliminations, clearly sick but presenting a playful energy that's strong enough to resist. It has been strange. We visited the vet this afternoon expecting to go home with another round of antibiotics (tho I didn't want to. He's been medicated too often and I'm fearing that he's built up a tolerance), but the vet tech came back with strange news. He showed me the video of the footage - red and white blood cells everywhere, but no bacteria, crystals, or stones. They called it sterile cystitis. Apparently Gumi can have a flare up like this without an underlying infection. That is terrifying but also good news; we don't need extra medication, but it also means that environmental factors trigger episodes with the same severity. In addition, we noticed Gumi's new urethral opening grows hair inside. We have to be extra careful and diligent to keep it clipped and sanitary. Bc S just started a new job, we think that change in routine was the most recent trigger. It's just overwhelming to walk on this many eggshells when we're already doing everything we can. I'd stopped posting the details of Gumi's suffering bc making these posts are both tiring and depressing for me and my followers, but recently someone reached out to me looking for advice on this. I figure if these posts can help someone feel less alone or get a heads up about what they may be facing, then maybe these difficult posts are worth making after all. Just know Gumi's life with FLUTD is one of the most severe and unfortunate cases my vets have ever seen. Not every cat parent has to go through what we have, so if you're reading this, don't lose hope. But also know that this can happen in the worst case scenario. For those who've lost fur babies to this awful disease, know that you've done everything you could have. No guilt. This is an expensive and difficult disease, and even the specialists don't have all the answers. S and I have had the talk about having Gumi euthanized. We said that if Gumi suffers another serious blockage, we will have to let him go. We were fortunate to be able to raise enough resources to help him this much, but it seems fate is not really on his side, and we've forced him to stay at our sides for long enough.

#feline lower urinary tract disease #FLUTD #UTI #urinary blockage #cat #sick cat #cool I just cried writing this but anyway I hope it helps #aka why I haven't been arting since August

Let's talk about cat pee!

Actually, let's specifically talk about why monitoring your cat's urine output is important.

This kitty is Bahbo, an ACS alumni rescued from Bibb County Pound, and my queerplatonic partner's cat. Bahbo just got done with several days of hospitalization for a urinary blockage after a UTI escalated by the next day (despite a vet visit/ treatment) to being fully blocked. A urinary blockage in cats is a medical emergency that can result in death in less than twelve hours. Thankfully, he was able to come home last night, but still needs very close monitoring in the weeks to come.

Two of the most commonplace health problems in cats are lower urinary tract disease, and kidney disease. Lower urinary tract issues may be from an acute bacterial infection, but often, the issue is urinary crystals that cause bladder irritation, UTIs, bladder stones, and in male cats especially, urethral blockages.

Crystalluria in cats is most frequently seen in the form of struvite crystals (formed primarily from ammonium, magnesium, and phosphorous), or oxalate crystals (formed by calcium oxalate), with the former being more commonplace. In both instances, there are several lifestyle factors that can affect the likeliness of crystal formation: water intake, diet, and stress.

Cats were domesticated from a desert species, and are hardwired to anticipate food as the primary source of moisture. Many are consequently disinclined to drink the appropriate volume of water needed to keep their urine adequately diluted, and if they are fed an entirely dry food diet (kibble), there is minimal moisture coming from their food. Increasing moisture in the diet by rehydrating kibble, adding extra water to canned food, or feeding a balanced raw diet (consulting with a veterinary nutritionist is highly advised for home made diets) can help ensure cats get enough water from their diet. Adding a running water source like a fountain, offering water in a stainless steel bowl (easiest to keep santized, but glass or ceramic is okay - plastic is discouraged), and of course providing clean, fresh water daily can also encourage healthier drinking habits. Filtering water, especially if you live somewhere with high calcium levels in the water, is also a good idea where oxalates are concerned.

The nutritional qualities of the food being fed are also important, especially in the case of struvites. Cats whose urinalysis shows struvites benefit from a diet with controlled levels of phosphorous and magnesium. There are veterinary diets (I am not here to debate the industry; have that discussion with your vet) that meet these parameters and may have additives to moderate urine pH. There are also pet foods with similar nutrient profiles available over the counter. Always discuss diet options with your vet or a veterinary nutritionist if a specialized diet is suggested for known urinary problems.

One consideration that is less obvious for cat urinary health is their stress level. Cats who are stressed tend to drink less water, suffer more digestive upset (which can contribute to dehydration via vomiting and diarrhea), may overgroom and irritate the urogenital area, and tend to have weaker immune systems. Cats who are under-enriched, in a chaotic environment, harassed by other animals or young children, or experiencing significant changes in their day to day routine are at greater risk for urinary complications.

Chronic lower urinary disease or infections, poor diet, and dehydration can all contribute to kidney disease, which is one of the most common illnesses in cats. Elderly cats are the most susceptible, but a blockage can cause an acute renal crisis as well, even in young and otherwise healthy animals. Feline kidneys are exceptionally vulnerable and highly implicated in chronic illness and death, so being proactive about your cat's urinary health even if there is no known issue can help prevent kidney issues down the line.

So how can you tell if your cat has lower urinary issues? Afflicted cats may soil outside of the litter box, urinate small volumes frequently, dribble urine, have blood in their urine, produce strong smelling urine, overgroom their urogenital area, experience abdominal tenderness, and strain without producing urine. As their condition worsens, they may stop eating, act listless, or become hostile or avoidant. If you notice any change in your kitty's urinary habits, CALL YOUR VET. Time is of the essence!

And oh - Bahbo's crisis happened on a weekend, and emergency care and hospitalization racked up over $2,000 in bills for his owner. If you'd like to contribute towards his medical expenses, message me for the owner's PayPal info.