X-posted from the Lounge: Max needed to go to vet for bladder blockage

[meow2u3]

I had to take him to the vet because he was not holding down his food or water, nor was he peeing in the litterbox.
He started throwing up Friday, but I thought he was simply eating too fast, but he kept throwing up everything and stopped eating, drinking, and playing altogether yesterday. Ruby has been unusually clingy towards me (she doesn't want to lose her son). Even my roomie's cat, Stymie, was upset Max was sick--he doesn't want to lose his new buddy. :(

I took him to the vet today and the diagnosis: urinary tract blockage. When the vet examined him, he screamed when she got to his bladder area. He has to be knocked out, catheterized, and medicated with antibiotics. The cost: about $600 (down from $1000), but thank God I was able to get a $500 credit approval. Otherwise, I would have had to surrender him to the shelter because of the lack of money. I should be picking him up tomorrow.

By the way, Max weighed in at 17 lb. 10 oz--dehydrated! His normal weight must be at least 18 lbs., that big baby!

Please send prayers, thoughts, and/or vibes the way of me, my roommates, and our cats.

Sorry about the copy and paste job.

[virgdem]

1. I hope your buddy recovers quickly...

sending good thoughts and prayers your way for Max's recovery.

[Warpy]

2. Ask the vet what kind of stones they were

Stones are either magnesium or calcium based and the type will determine what sort of diet he's on. You want to keep your big buddy from getting that sick again.

Tomcats, especially neutered ones, are horribly prone to developing blockages from urinary tract stones. Manipulating their diets is the easiest way to cope.

Luckily, my furry buddy's stones were magnesium, so feeding him a low ash, non fishy commercial food prevented them until he died at a ripe old age (17) from something else. Calcium stones also involve making the cat's urine more alkaline (it's usually acidic) to prevent their formation.

Urinary blockages can be fatal pretty quickly in cats. I'm glad you got Max seen in time.

Now, want any good bean recipes until you repay that loan?

[TorchTheWitch]

3. hoping Max recovers soon

Do they know the reason for the blockage? Is it a stone or something like that that got stuck in the urinary tract?

I'm confused about something though... if you hadn't found the money to pay the vet what do you mean by giving Max to a shelter? Wouldn't you have had him put to sleep so he wouldn't suffer anymore? Would a shelter have gotten him the medical care he needed or would they even take him in that condition? Just so you know, any vet would be willing to put down a suffering animal regardless of payment... and one that can't pee is definitely suffering. They may have you pay in installments and/or severely cut down the price and may even not demand any payment at all.

Sending good vibes to you and Max. :hug: