Poor Bonzi, the cat, has a UTI. A bad one: she's straining & urinating blood. Because of her history with them and my financial situation, I convinced the vet to let me pick up a prescription for her today without the office visit and tests. Thankfully, she agreed "just this once". There goes my Christmas money. At least some of it. But, I'm so glad I HAVE it so I can GET the meds! I tried to order them online, but you still need a prescription for Clavamox. Anyone know of a source that DOESN'T require a vet's prescription?
Also, anyone have any experience trying to limit UTIs in cats? I've already changed their food to a high-protein one (a good quality kitty food, the vet recommended). Otherwise, is there anything that can be done to eliminate these issues?
It's coooold out (-6.5 this morning), but the wind has finally stopped. All the snow outside is scoured into hard drifts. I wonder what shape the winter driveway will be in this morning when I drive out? I haven't started the car since I came home following Christmas, so I am a little apprehensive about how that little battery's gonna feel about turning over after sitting so long in the cold. Hmmmm . . . . Better try to allow enough time to jump it with the 1-ton, if necessary.
I'll leave you with a picture of the two outside geese. In the wintertime, the poultry yard is actually pretty!
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| It's amazing how low the sun is in the early afternoon here right now. At least that - amount of daylight - is increasing each day now, though! |
That's a bummer about her UTI, we used to tell people at our hospital to feed Hills for UTI (I think it's the formula C/D?) It's been awhile, but I know there are other companies that make prescription type diets now for those. Also, making sure the litter box is always clean, clean, clean - some cats will hold it if there litter box is dirty at all and this can lead to issues sometimes. I'm glad you got the Rx though! I know you need an Rx for Clavamox anywhere in the states, could get it in Mexico w/o one but not online so that's not very helpful is it?! Check into Canada laws for the future, sometimes you can get things w/o Rx if you are there in person but def not online if shipping states "US". Worth a look into for future anyway. Good luck getting her back to good health!
ReplyDeleteDon't know if it will work in cats, but I used to give my dog yogurt w/some apple cider vinegar to clear up and then keep the UTI's at bay. Might try that.
ReplyDeleteDo what you can to try to increase your cat's water consumption. Try placing a variety of containers-glass/mug/dishes-around the house. You can try flavoring some water with some tuna water or clam juice. You can try getting a cat drinking fountain or leaving a slowly dripping faucet (may not be compatible with your well pump if you run off your solar). Try feeding canned cat food, for it's increased moisture content. There are a variety of diets that were formulated to discourage crystal formation that leads to many apparent UTIs in cats, but getting the cat to be a better water drinker is as effective as the diets. If you can get your veterinarian to script you out some pain medication such as buprenorphine that will help too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck
Susan (DVM)
I used to sprinkle half the contents of a cranberry capsule on their wet food. And definitely see if you can get them to drink more. Great idea - adding tuna juice!
ReplyDelete