11/19 Jude | AMPS 138; +2 182; PMPS 117; +3 96

Mary & Jude

Very Active Member
yesterday's condo

Jude's numbers are even better this morning, which is great. I gave him a dose increase and started on Clavamox on the same day, which probably wasn't the best plan because now I'm not sure if the dose increase or the Clavamox (or both) is influencing his numbers.

The doctor emailed me today to say that the curing culture is negative so far, which he thinks will indicate that this is a sterile issue. He is giving it until Friday to see if anything further develops. He is going to continue Jude on another week of Clavamox just in case there is something we are overlooking; he thinks two weeks of the ab should knock out most problems.

I had another thought that I brought up to the vet. I've had several cats in my life, but Jude is the only one I've had who literally sits in the litter when he urinates. I asked the doctor if it's possible that Jude is getting some particles in his urethra when he urinates, which might be causing a lower UT infection, but not an infection that is moving to the bladder. The vet said that it's possible, and he wants me to switch from the clumping litter (Dr. Elsey's Litter Attract) to a non-clumping one. If this is happening, it could answer why every time Jude's numbers go up and we give him an AB, they go back down, even when there is no bacteria present. Perhaps the bacteria and infection isn't in the bladder, but is in the lower UT. 🤷‍♀️

Have a nice day, everyone! Safe surfing, kitties!!
 
So happy to see Jude's numbers coming down. What an interesting thought about him sitting in the litter. 🤔 Hope it is as simple as switching out his litter.

How is Jude's tummy? Has been doing ok with the AB?
Thanks, Kat, I hope it's that simple too. At times, I have had to clean his bum because it was stinky from the urine, so I know he's getting up close and personal with it, and his hygiene habits are not that great (tbh, he's too fat to get down there). When I took him in last month when he had this issue, the doctor saw a symptom that suggested that he "might be trying to develop a blockage." Thankfully, that symptom cleared up, but I've been thinking about that issue combined with his tendency to squat in the litter, and I've wondered if there was a connection--who knows if I'm right. The bad news is he realllllllly likes his litter, so I'm going to have gradually switch things out.

His tummy seems to be fine. The only problems we've had in the past with antibiotics have been loose stools, but once we started on s. boulardii, that cleared up. His appetite is still off, though. I think I have some appetite stimulant, and I might give him some of that just until we get off the ab.
 
Last edited:
So glad to hear Jude's numbers have come down a bit more, and that he was negative for infection! And very good detective work - your theory sounds like a plausible explanation of this pattern you have been seeing. Definitely worth testing. It might be challenging to change his litter tho - cats can be so particular. Good luck!
 
We have the same issue with Flare, he sits pretty low when urinating and sometimes has a bit of an odor I have to wipe (he hates that). Luckily he has only once had issues with symptoms of a UTI many years ago. Jude and Flare are almost the same exact weight.

It seems his numbers are turning around, hope that means he's feeling a lot better!
 
Love to see Jude’s numbers improving already! Always so tough when there are two variables changing at the same time… but we’ll take the improvements either way!

Interested to know if the litter change itself changes anything, hopefully it’s not too challenging to do. Would be so great if that helped things out!!
 
Very shoot his numbers look better Mary. And glad he’s tolerating the ab ok!
Very interesting theory about the litter.
Don’t you feel like a constant detective? (I do).
You’re always trying to figure out something that we might be missing!
You’re such an awesome cat mom 😻💖💕
 
Back
Top