4/18 Tyler AMPS 255 +8 102 PMPS 215

[Brian & Tyler]

Yesterday's Condo

Good morning citizens of Lantus Land!

I have been slacking on sticking Tyler the last two days during the evening nadir and didn't bother checking him at lunchtime the day of the vet visit. I have been extremely stressed out with many many things. The bad shape of my day job, finals approaching and I am behind on my school work, a move to a different city with no job lined up. Then there is Tyler who can probably sense all of this and whatever it is about my new roommate that he doesn't like. I am really leaning towards this being a behavioral issue not, a UTI. I dropped off a urine sample to the vet this morning, fingers crossed. So far, Tyler has only had one dose of antibiotics that stayed down. Yesterday, he puked it up. I am running on about a combined 5 hours of sleep over the past two nights. This bean is unraveling!!! :shock:

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

Re: 4/18 Tyler AMPS 255

Good morning Brian, I hope things will settle down for you. Cats are very good about picking up on stress and w/ all you have going on, it could be behavioral. Have you noticed a pinkish color to the urine? That's from blood , so probably an infection or other inflammation of the bladder.

What I was saying about testing after ABs yesterday: The first time Tess got a UTI it was at night and we went to the emergency vet. They couldn't do a needle draw because her bladder was empty, so they just started her on antibiotics. She was almost back to normal the next day, so ABs were a good call, but when we took her to our regular vet they said the tests wouldn't show anything now. The ABs had done their job, so we wouldn't see bacteria in the tests, so save your money. (BTW, I like a vet who is honest enough not run tests that are unlikely to show good results just to get the fee.) Next time around we got the test first and sure enough, it was infection.

There isn't actually any information on the product label about feeding in relation to Orbax, the info I have is from 1800 PetMeds and DRs. Foster and Smith and is for the tablets. Most Abs can upset the stomach, which is why the recommendation not to give w/ food. Sometimes just a little nauseous and the cat doesn't want to eat, other times full out vomiting. We could almost time it to the minute when Tess was taking Clavamox, half an hour later barfsville! :roll: That's why we switched to Orbax and she tolerates it much better. If Tyler likes pill pockets that might be a good option. Tess does NOT!!! Get the dog allergy formula though, all the others are high carb!

Another thing w/ Abs is that they often cause diarrhea. Orbax is broad spectrum and will kill off the good bacteria in the gut as well as the baddies. Cats need the good guys to properly digest food. It's a good idea to give probiotics to reestablish the good bacteria in the gut. You can get Fortiflora from your vet or go to the health food store. Live culture kept in the refrigerated section is best. Jarrow makes a good one, Pet Dophyllis, that even I can get locally in our rural area.

There is one other possible cause for the peeing and that is crystals. This can be quite painful and cause litter box aversion too. I'm not as up on that as infections because it isn't what we have to deal with. Check out Dr Lisa Pierson's page on Urinary Tract Disease. Dr Lisa is a well respected expert on feline nutrition and internal medicine. She's an advisor here on the board.

 

[Brian & Tyler]

Re: 4/18 Tyler AMPS 255

Hi Ann,

The sample I got looked normal. Work is closing early today, so I will swing by the vet's on my way home. My vet has seen Tyler and comped the fees because he know's what my financial situation is. He is a wonderful man, but runs two clinics! He works seven days a week and is spread pretty thin. I will definitely adhere to his advice for right now. I will keep all of you updated.

 

[Jen&Eddie]

Re: 4/18 Tyler AMPS 255

I don't have any advice to offer, but just wanted to send you well wishes. It's really amazing how well you're doing with Tyler, especially with all the other things you've got on your plate. You are clearly a truly dedicated cat dad, and Tyler is lucky to have you.

I hope the inappropriate peeing issue gets sorted out with the ABs. That's always tough. I foster cats through a rescue organization and that's the number one reason for owner surrenders (where a reason is given) - inappropriate urination. About half the time it's a medical issue, and the other half is behavioral. Then you just have to go through a process of eliminating potential causes. I'd agree that it could be a territorial thing and that the Feliway might help. We've used that successfully in the past when we've had a fractious foster kitty that was getting our own cats riled up. Once in a while, one of our civies will pee in the bathtub or if a towel gets left on the floor. Nature's Miracle is our go to pee, poo, and vomit cleaner.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Re: 4/18 Tyler AMPS 255

To help clean up the house, using a product like Petastic can really help.

Natures Miracle used to be great, but the formula changed and it doesn't work as well anymore (in my opinion)

In 2003, Nature's Miracle decided to end their relationship with the company who created the enzyme mixture but kept the name. The makers of the enzyme mixture now sell it under the Petastic name.

Hopefully you'll find something that works well on the stain/smell, and whatever bee got into Tyler's bonnet that started all this will resolve soon..whether it's a UTI or behavioral.

 

[Brian & Tyler]

Hello all!

Tyler has a nice purple... calming collar. He seems ok with it. I bought nature's miracle odor killer, but the cushions are still drying from spraying them with it, we'll see how that goes. I got the roomie to give Tyler a couple of treats yesterday, and some catnip today. I also taught him a little bit on how to read the cat's body language, and the whole "let them approach you," approach.

That's it for now! now time for some Algebraic video lectures! YAY!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Algebraic video lectures!

Oohh....yuck!! You have fun there Brian!!

I'm looking forward to the psych video!!

I really do understand you're under an incredible amount of stress with work, school and Tyler, but if you can try to get a "before bed" test in during the PM cycle, it'll help fill in a lot of the picture.

I'm betting you probably fall asleep wherever you're at when it happens though...LOL

Thank goodness for weekends! Time to relax, do a few weeks worth of homework in between going to work to earn enough money to buy a loaf of bread now and then.