Help with kitty bladder expulsion.

[kimmylavin]

Hi all,

Back in November (I think), I posted about our little kitty Pita. He's a Manx mix, and has a form of Manx Syndrome. His spine is curved and his pelvis is deformed - one vet said its actually a miracle he can walk.

What he can't do, normally, is poop. Back then, we were told we could either put him to sleep, or pay for an operation and then give him laxatives three times a day for the rest of his (most likely short) life. We went for the operation. And we have been glad ever since, of course, because he's a little doll.

However, we've started having problems again. A week and a half ago, he was diagnosed with a UTI, and was put on antibiotics. Last Sunday he started throwing up, and we took him to the emergency clinic, where they told us that his "numbers" put him a step below kidney failure - his bladder was swollen and he obviously hadn't been peeing. He spent the night at the clinic, and we transported him to the vet the next morning. He stayed there until Friday, when we were told we could pick him up.

He's now on the laxatives, the antibiotics, potassium, and several other medicines. We were also told that we would now be responsible for expelling his bladder, until we can see how/if he's recovered from this last infection. The vet showed us how to do it, but neither my husband or I have been able to do it since the vet's office on Friday. We don't know if this means he's peeing on his own, or if we're failing him.

Pita seems to be doing fine. He's running all over the place, playing with our other cats, snuggling, and eating his food. We will of course take him to the clinic again, if we need to, and he's got an appointment with the vet on Tuesday.

But has anyone out there ever had to do this? If so, could you please let me know what it is we should be looking/feeling for? Or give us the technique. Or even point me to a website that can show me how to do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[IndyOp]

1. Here is one web page - expressing urine for handicapped pets...

http://www.handicappedpets.com/wiki/index.php?title=Express_a_dog_or_cat

[kimmylavin]

2. Thanks for that!

I appreciate the information - didn't even think to try Wiki.

Pita's doing okay.
Took him to the vet today, and his bladder was indeed a bit too full.
He was catheterized again, and his urine sent to a lab.
More waiting and seeing...

But again, thanks for the help! :hi: