Cystitis in Male Cats

[Kleiber]

My poor little Monty (neutered two & a half year old male cat) has had a really nasty attack of cystitis this week. I only noticed it because I kept the cats in on Monday as there were a lot of baby birds about and I'd already rescued 2 from his sister! Anyway, he used the litter tray and I noticed blood in his urine, so took a sample down to the vet & she confirmed diagnosis She said that this can occur a lot in neutered male cats, either due to too much protein in their diet, or stress, and if left untreated can be quite serious as crystals can form in the bladder and block the urethra. I'm posting this just to let other cat people know to be on the look out if you notice your lads trying to pee a lot. The latest on Monty is that he's on anti-biotics and meloxicam and seems to be on the mend now, but I took him to the vet this afternoon and she gave me diazepam for him. Well, he had half a very small tablet this evening and has been totally spaced out. I rang the vet and she said this was a "normal" reaction!! He seemed to settle a bit a while ago, but has now woken up and is wobbling around the living room, meowing! The vet said not to give him any more if he continues like this, so I won't, and hope that it'll wear off soon. I'll probably end up taking them myself if this continues!! Anyway, just a warning for all you cat people out there...!! K xx

[lankeela]

I know it can be difficult to give a cat a tablet, but when my friends dog gets cystitis she is given cranberry tablets. Don't know if you could either halve them or crush them but they are totally natural so might be worth a try.

[bensmum]

Hi Kleiber - I hope poor Monty has had a good sleep and is now on the mend. I did know male cats can get this but fortunately none of mine had that problem. It's very distressing watching a pet when they're in pain as you feel so helpless, don't you, even after you've done all the right things and got the medical attention. I'm sure he's being spoiled loads!
XX

[Kleiber]

'morning, girls!! He's being spoiled rotten alright, bensmum - I had to carry him up to bed last night and he snuggled down & slept very soundly next to me all night.
Lankeela, I'm very lucky with Monty - i just sit him on my lap, open his mouth and pop the tablets in! I stroke his throat and he swallows them as good as gold. If it had been his mother or one of my old ladies, Romy, I'd have been scratched to pieces and had a few fingers missing by now!! K x

[alfieblue]

Kleiber - so sorry to hear about wee Monty - hope he is feeling a lot better day by day. Cuddles to Monty from alfieblue n pup. :o)xx

[Kleiber]

Thanks, alfieblue :o). He's had another tiny bit of diazepam this morning & is now completely zonked out on my bed, with Cassie, one of my old cats keeping an eye on him! The tablets seem to be doing the trick, though, as they relax the muscles & enable him to have a good pee, instead of straining & getting nowhere. (Anyone who's had cystitis will know exactly what I mean...!!) Also, thankfully, there's no more blood in the urine, so the antibiotics are working, too. I'm sure he'll be back to his normal self in a day or two. K xx

[Kleiber]

I've just had a call from the vet to say that Monty has got crystals in his urine. He's got to go on a special diet for 6 weeks, poor baby. What makes it worse is that I have to go away on business on Monday till Thursday and so he's now got to go and stay at the vet's till I get back because K Jnr won't be able to give him his medication while I'm away. (He's not very adept at shoving pills down animals' throats!) I've got to take him in this afternoon - he's going to be so upset and the others (and I) will miss him, but I guess it's for the best. I'm home on Tuesday for the night then off again on Wednesday, so I'll try & visit him on Tuesday if I get back in time. My poor wee baby... :0(

[alfieblue]

Fingers crossed Kleiber - try not to worry (tho I know from experience it is hard) - wee Monty will be in safe hands and imagine the wonderful greeting you will get when you collect him. Mega purring etc!!!!

Am keeping everything crossed for Monty's full recovery - I'm sure he will be fine. Looking forward to hearing about his come coming. :o) xxxx

[alfieblue]

Sorry :o/ - that was meant to read 'home coming'.xx

[frankiecat]

Get well soon Montycat.

With love from your Scottish Pencat

Frankie

[ruthann58]

sorry to her about poor monty try the cranberry tablets as lankeela said, i found the best value to be tescos own brand i never give ours any dry food i always soak any they have for at least 6 hours as i found dry food seems to make them worse somewhere i read that asorbic acid helps to dissolve the crystals and helps prevent them reforming also the ash content of the food must not be to high if i can find the web site i will post it for you

[Kleiber]

Thanks, everyone. The house is so empty tonight without him. Frankie, Cleo sends her love to you and Merlin and I'll pass on your wishes to Monty. Thanks, too, alfie - everything is crossed here too. Ruthann, I'll mention it to my vet & see what she thinks (she's a friend as well, so she'll give me an honest opinion & not just try to bump up my bill with prescription drugs for Monty). Again, thanks for all your kind wishes, everyone and I'll keep you posted as to how the little blighter is!! K xx

[bednobs]

im surprised they tried diazepam so quickly - it might not be stress related at all!
There are things you can do - does he have wet or dry food? switch to wet and add water to the catmeat, so it's swimming in it. cats often prefer to drink out of running water, so a cat water fountain in the garden might encourage him to drink more

[sheribeee]

Just thought id let u kno, both my neutered boys, brothers got this at the same time, they went vets and both had crystals in their urine, the tablets one ate them like a sweetie, and the other needed it shoved down his throat.
They have to be on their special diet for life now, as my vet says it can happen again, so u might want to check with your vet. The food cost �23 for a 3.5kg bag, which does last ages!
I hope he is much better now, mine have been fine since changing diet xx

[Kleiber]

Thanks, sheribee, My vet said that he will probably have to be on this diet for the rest of his life, but to be honest, I don't care what it costs, he's worth it. My only problem will be stopping the girls eating his food! I went to see him today and he was so pleased to see me, purring and snuggling up to me. He was really upset when I left, miaowing and pawing at the cage he's in - I felt rotten, thinking I'd only upset him by going to visit.
Bednobs, they didn't give him the diazepam because of stress, they gave it to him as a relaxant, so his bladder would empty normally. Like I said before, anyone who's had cystitis will know what it feels like - you think you're busting to go, but when you do, there's nothing there because the bladder has gone into spasm & won't relax enough to allow you to go. It seems to be working for Monty as he's peeing normally now (no blood either) and is tucking into his new diet too. Can't wait to get him home on Thursday night.

[madboutcats]

ive got everything crossed for him kleiber so has cupar and margo who send their whiskery love to him for a speedy recovery. get better soon monty, your mum loves you.xxxxxx

[Kleiber]

Aw, thanks, madbout, and wee Cupar and Margo! It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who loves their animals so much - There have been such lovely replies from loads of you and I'm really grateful to all of you for your helpful, sympathetic and downright soppy replies!!! Love, K xxx

[bensmum]

Morning Kleiber - pleased to hear the Monty is on the mend. At least the vet can keep an eye on him while you're away and I bet he'll get lots of fuss once you're back. Flossie & Daisie send miaows
XX

[ruthann58]

so glad hes feeling better and peeing normally we had 1 0n the special diet once everything was back to normal for a couple of months we were able to give him one normal meal in the morning then the special diet at night and that kept him ok . sadly simon 1 of our others had been being treated for cystitis for a month but it turned out to be somthing much nastier and i had to lose him ,so i am so pleased for you that monty is getting better

[Kleiber]

Thanks everyone for all your good wished for Monty. I'll keep you posted end of next week, when I get him home. Love, K xxx

[Jugglering]

Thanks for the info Kleiber... my two mistresses are (yep) female but this is good stuff to share.... I hope your lad gets sorted out soon - big hugs from J over here to K's wee laddie over there xxxxx