Melissa and Rascal
Member Since 2015
Rascal (17) has a history of FLUTD that goes way back before she was diagnosed with diabetes. At that time she had severe discomfort, frequent urinating small amounts and blood in her urine. However, urine cultures were always negative back then. It was just thought to be an inflammatory condition.
Now that she is diabetic the vet has been concerned about UTIs and she has been treated a couple times for suspected UTI with Zeniquin. Urine culture and sensitivity has been inconclusive though and she was not showing any visible signs of UTI. The vet said they are sometimes not obvious and the cat just doesn't feel well overall. So it may or may not be that she is actually having infections, but her bladder has looked inflamed on ultrasound.
Since we cannot confirm that she is getting true infections, but since diabetic cats are prone to UTIs and it's possible that "inconclusives" don't necessarily mean "negatives," I want to address the possibility of chronic UTIs but ideally not with repeated rounds of antibiotics. She doesn't feel well on them.
Even if she is not getting infections, something is irritating her bladder as we have seen with the thickened inflamed bladder wall, so she would still need something for this.
Here is what I've found and would appreciate input on these options if anyone has experience:
D-mannose works very well for many human UTIs. I've used it myself - totally knocks them out for me! Several pet health forums recommend D-mannose (particularly NOW brand powder) to treat UTIs in cats. Corn silk tea is supposed to calm bladder inflammation. Dr. Mercola has a product for bladder health in cats and dogs now too. It contains d-mannose and corn silk and also MSM, glucosamine, and some other natural ingredients. It also contains cranberry, though. I don't know if this is ok, but I generally trust his products. I've just never used any of these things yet for Rascal and would like some advice on what I should try.
Has anyone here used d-mannose or this product from Dr. Mercola or anything else to combat possible chronic UTIs or FLUTD? Let me know what has worked for you. Thank you! >^^<
Melissa and Rascal
Now that she is diabetic the vet has been concerned about UTIs and she has been treated a couple times for suspected UTI with Zeniquin. Urine culture and sensitivity has been inconclusive though and she was not showing any visible signs of UTI. The vet said they are sometimes not obvious and the cat just doesn't feel well overall. So it may or may not be that she is actually having infections, but her bladder has looked inflamed on ultrasound.
Since we cannot confirm that she is getting true infections, but since diabetic cats are prone to UTIs and it's possible that "inconclusives" don't necessarily mean "negatives," I want to address the possibility of chronic UTIs but ideally not with repeated rounds of antibiotics. She doesn't feel well on them.
Even if she is not getting infections, something is irritating her bladder as we have seen with the thickened inflamed bladder wall, so she would still need something for this.
Here is what I've found and would appreciate input on these options if anyone has experience:
D-mannose works very well for many human UTIs. I've used it myself - totally knocks them out for me! Several pet health forums recommend D-mannose (particularly NOW brand powder) to treat UTIs in cats. Corn silk tea is supposed to calm bladder inflammation. Dr. Mercola has a product for bladder health in cats and dogs now too. It contains d-mannose and corn silk and also MSM, glucosamine, and some other natural ingredients. It also contains cranberry, though. I don't know if this is ok, but I generally trust his products. I've just never used any of these things yet for Rascal and would like some advice on what I should try.
Has anyone here used d-mannose or this product from Dr. Mercola or anything else to combat possible chronic UTIs or FLUTD? Let me know what has worked for you. Thank you! >^^<
Melissa and Rascal
