Thursday, July 2, 2009

Samson's Vet Trip

WARNING: Long post! We're going to try to break it up with pictures from my trip back from the vet to entertain you.



I had another bout with a urinary problem recently, so of course, Mommy took me to the vet.

I didn't eat for a whole day (which is very unusual for me). I was peeing like I'm supposed to but the things that made Mommy worry was that I peed in the dust pan, drank from the toilet bowl and refused my favorite treats! These things are all uncharacteristic for me, so off we went!



The last time I was there (the day before my Mommy's Surgery), the vet said it was an irritated bladder lining of unknown origin. He suspected that it was caused by stress because I was worried about my Mommy or I was sensitive to her stress. He prescribed a pill and it was gone in a day. This time Mommy was very insistent that they do more tests to be sure it wasn't something more serious. They took more urine and blood and I hung out at the vets all day and even made friends with a statue of a woofie! The nurses there all love me and gave me rubs so it wasn't that bad. I also peed on a new vet that was trying to get my sample. Mommy wonders if that is why the bill was so high!



The diagnosis (again) seems to be a bladder lining inflammation, which is a condition that is mostly caused by stress. The only difference between this diagnosis and the last one is that now they suspect it's recurring or chronic. Apparently it is quite common in humans and cats (and often misdiagnosed) and the term interstitial cystitis, borrowed from human medicine, has been used to describe this problem. An alternate term is idiopathic cystitis. We won't know for sure until all the tests come back (Mommy really made them do the works!) but the general consensus is that it is interstitial cystitis. There is no bacteria in my bladder lining or urine so it is not an infection. I also don't have any evidence of crystals.

The result is, I will need to eat only wet food eventually and they suggested that I take a supplement that contains a substance called a glycosaminoglycans (the substance that makes up the mucous bladder lining) and maybe even an anti-anxiety/anti-inflammatory pill!

Mommy is extremely hesitant about the anti-anxiety medication. She thinks that these kinds of pills will turn me into a zombie-cat and she likes me just the way I am! She is concerned that Delilah's robust appetite might be the cause of some of my stress during dinnertime and she is going to try separating us during feeding to reduce this. Delilah eats very quickly and when she's done, she noses me out of my plate to see what I have. I'm a gentleman, so I usually back down and let her eat my dinner. Mommy thinks that my gentlemanly manner may be stress in disguise. She assumed I must be getting enough food because I am slightly overweight (hey, I'm big-furred!) and Delilah is a perfect weight, so she never really thought it was a problem before now.



One of the first things Mommy wants to do is reduce stress for me. She is worried that Delilah's bullying ways might be a part of it and some of my behavior that she previously thought of as 'quirky', is a reaction to this stress. Delilah won't change (and we don't want her to!) but Mommy thinks we can all learn to relax a little more. She also thinks that her stress levels affect me, so she's going to start making some changes in that area, too. She has heard of the Feliway diffuser and is considering buying one, but would like to hear of any feedback from other cat households first.

In this video, I'm panting! It was very hot and I had had a long day!



Mommy doesn't want to rush to any medications until she has the whole story and she thinks that reducing stress and changing my diet to all wet food will help a lot. On the other hand, the condition is extremely painful, so she doesn't want to deny me something that will help, either. If any of you other cats have this condition or have advice on how to reduce stress for me, she would be very grateful!

My episode has subsided so I'm feeling really good now!

Samson
xoxo

20 comments:

Anya said...

Owwwww Samson
I think on you the whole day ;)
I purrrr for you ......
( I hate also the Vet, but sometimes we need him !!)
Take care
hugs & love
Kareltje =^.^=

Misha said...

Poor Samson! Piddle problems can be a real pain!

Cosmo was on Clomicalm (cat Prozac) last year for a few months and it was great! It didn't make her a zombie, but it stopped her hissing at me and she was a lot smoochier. I wish she was on it all the time!

Cheyenne -Millie said...

You are good Samson! While you are in your carrier you look so bright and alert. Also very interested in everything going on around you!

If it was me I would be hiding over in the corner!

The Creek Cats said...

So so sorry you had to go to the V-E-T, Samson, but good job peeing on the new vet...haha!

Sorry to hear you are stressed out that sure can make a kitty not feel well. We have used the feliway diffuser in Rambler's room when we were transitioning him from a feral kitty to an indoor only kitty. It really helped to chill him out. We also used Bach's Rescue Remedy in his water bowl and directly in his mouth. Both treatments are natural and safe!

Perhaps the separate feedings will help too. Maizy and Ferris have to be fed in another room away from the rest of the kitties because they eat so fast and then head to the next bowl.

Feel better soon, sweet Samson! We are sending you lots and lots of recovery, calming and healing vibes!

Anonymous said...

Oh Samson, we're so sorry you aren't feeling well! Stress is a terrible thing! Alice has a nervous nature but we've never had any stress problems so we can't help with advice. We agree with your mommy though, about the anti anxiety med. It would definately turn you into Zombie Cat.

jane

Mishkat said...

Samson, we're so sorry to hear this! Our mom says human cystitis is horrible - fortunately we haven't experienced it yet. We do think it's funny that you peed on the vet - good going!

We agree that reducing stress in the household helps - especially human stress since you are so bonded to your mom. Sometimes medication is necessary, though - Mom had to put Dobby on Elavil (cat version) when we first got him because he was pulling all his hair out compulsively. It is supposed to help cats "forget" compulsive behavior, and it worked! He was zombie-fied at first but then he got used to it. He hasn't had to take it for a long time.

And Mom also likes Rescue Remedy - her sister recommended it for cats, and she has found it to be helpful. (There is no scientific basis for it, by the way, so it may or may not work for you - but we think it's worth a try. It's not expensive.) You can read about how they make the flower extracts - they are very dilute. It seems to be helpful for humans too.

P.S. Mom also says some kitty massage techniques that utilize pressure points might be helpful. We think there is information on this on-line. She doesn't do this on us, but used to do it on one of her older cats.

The Island Cats said...

Samson, we hope you are back to normal real soon! The Creek Cats gave you some good suggestions. Before trying the anti-anxiety meds, try some Feliway diffusers and the Rescue Remedy.

Anonymous said...

Samson, you are still the handsomest boy in the whole world, even when you're not feeling your best!

And I can't believe how well behaved he is in his carrier--our cats HATE theirs and cause a ruckus anytime we take them to the v-e-t!

Hope you're feeling better soon!
Hugs,
Abby

The Kitty Krew said...

We're glad you're feeling better, Samson. Other than Bugsy's recent bladder stone problems, we don't have any experience with the types of issues you're having so we're no help there. But we'll send lots of purrs that y'all get it all figured out so you won't have to keep going through it.

Purrs and hugs,
The Kitty Krew

BeadedTail said...

Oh Samson, we're sorry you aren't feeling well and have been stressed. We've never had that problem so can't offer any suggestions. Your mommy loves you very much so we're sure she's going to find a way to reduce your stress and hopefully her stress too so you both are feeling good again soon. Sending purrs to you!

Reese =^..^= said...

Oh, poor baby. I hope that everyone at your house is soon well!

Shilgiah the Cat said...

Hi Samson,
Sorry you had to go back to the vet but I think it was very funny that you peed on the new vet.

We are wishing you a speedy recovery. Would catnip be a good substitute for anti-anxiety meds? My bro Tommy does something like what your sister does at mealtime. He gobbles his food and then comes and stands right next to me eyeing mine until I give him what's left.

Sam and Andy said...

Samson, we were so very sad to hear you had to go to the v-e-t...:(, but are happy to hear that you are better.

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

We are sorry you have not been feeling yourself. Kirby is the aggressor at meal time here. We have to stand by her till she walks away to make sure that she has had their fill, and then er turn him loose on her plate. She does not appear to be stressed about it which is good. We have heard a lot about feliway and rescue remedy but have not tried either. You look like you enjoy your ride.

Anonymous said...

Samson, you are much better than we are in the PTU. We pretty much meow our heads off until we get out of the PTU.

We have no experience with this problem, but we know the one in the CB that have had some experience will offer lots of support.

We sure hope you feel better soon. Being sick is No Fun!

Amy & the house of cats said...

Oh Samson I am sorry to hear about your uncomfortable problems! My kitties growing up always had UTI's but honestly I think it was actual UTI's and also that they had thyroid problems, so I can sympathize but I am unfortunatly no help as far as suggestions. We do feed our one kitty, Floyd, separate from the others because of his being sick (he usually has medicine with it and he takes it better knowing he gets to eat right afterwards). It does seem to keep him calmer because the others do tend to play musical plates, so hopefully if you are separated from Delilah for dinner it will help you out. We are sending our good thoughts (me)and purrs (the kitties) headed your way!

Oh, and we have used the Feliway both to keep the cats calm when we first moved to our house and to keep them from peeing - it kind of worked but kind of didn't - it may depend on the kitty.

Daisy said...

Oh Samson, I am so sorry you are having troubles. I think the Rescue Remedy is worth a try, because it's safe and not very expensive. My Mommie puts the drops directly on top of my foods and I can't even taste it.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Samson! We're so sorry about your troubles:( Poor Tristan has a chronic UTI problem, so we feel for you. ~Crikey

Pee Ess: Tristan panted just like that at the V-E-T, last week!

Noir the Texas Tabby said...

DUDE! Sorry you have to go through the whole vet thing--ugh! Your Mommy knows best and she'll do everything right for you! She LOVES you too much. And I think Delilah will ease up some...well, maybe...:)

Quill and Greyson said...

Oh sweet Samson if I could come over there I would give you a nice relaxing lick bath, and Mom would scoop you right up for some forced snuggling.

I love felaway, Mom sprays it in the PTU and it helps.

I love wet food, so I say score!