BARNEYS CYSTITIS - NEVER ENDING WORRYINGPROBLEM - WHAT NOW ?

[JulieandBarney]

Hi everyone,

As most of you who know me, know that my lovely boy Barney has been suffering with cystitis, more or less constantly over the last several months (with the excpeton of when he is on anti biotics!).

My vet, who is away from the practice for a while, as he is having a hip replacement, wanted to give Barney a bladder scan if it kept reoccurring. We have been back to the vet during his time away, having seen one young girl, who didn't seem to have a clue and hardly seemed able to understand the basics of his problem, to just 2 weeks ago, a locum vet, who was very good, a much older man, who basically said "I hate to dissapoint you but it is just stress...." He gave Barney a Metacam injection plus a long lasting anti biotic injection, only because we were going on holiday within a few days and we were concerned about how he would be whilst we were away, (my in laws were caring for him at our house) He did say though "He can't keep having anti biotics in the long term..." This I understand, but literally today, the day the anti botics wore off, Barney has been straining again, he has passed some water, after a lot of straining, and I just feel at my wits end. The poor fella can not keep on like this all the time, he is fine 80% of the time, but when it comes to passing water, he struggles for about an hour or two a day, has a sleep, then seems ok again.

I have tried everything, no dried food whatsoever, lots of water mixed with his food, plus lots of his cat milk, which he loves, prescription diet, no cereals, fresh raw meat once or twice a week, Zyklene, Cystease twice a day...but still this keeps happening....we have not changed anything at all in the house or his enviroment, which may cause him stress.........I could cry watching him struggle so often.....my vet should be back at work within a week or so, he seems to be the only one who is not saying "stress.." ....Do I wait to see him, or go back to the very people who just insist it is only stress and tell me its something he just has to live with ?

Can anyone else please offer me any help in this, it is so upsetting me right now, I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place ?

Sorry for the long rant ......

[nannymcfee]

Hello Julie...

snap to Barney again, i am awaiting a bladder scan and more tests ( they test pressure of it ) have to go July...as still same as Barney,fell like bladder is bloating and irritating all the time, they cannot work out if/what causes it, but stress does not help & /allergyIBS etc but its not just that... i think if they finally find out what it is with Barney or me, we will be able to help each other .

( i was prescribed some new tablets called Betmiga which tell your bladder to stop working too much! they are helping a little,wonder if there is anything that is on the same lines for cats)

Does Barney have a skin complaint too ?...

[Lallum]

Oh I feel for you.

Midnight has had cystitis and it was put down to stress after two visits from the plumber. I agreed to have his penis removed after scans, Xrays, blood tests, urine tests all revealed nothing. None of the meds worked for him after the first bout. Before the op I was told it may not solve anything. It has been very successful although he did have one relapse 2 months after the op. He is now doing great. The explanation of stress didn't seem feasible as he had had roofers, electricians, decorators, builders, numerous visitors and other cats in the house in the seven years before this happened. whatever caused it, the op seems to have fixed.

I'm having the bathroom replaced in July and going to the USA in December when he will go to cattery. Let's hope he continues to do good!

All I can suggest is finding a vet who specialises in cats. My local practice has a vet (called Catriona!) who only looks after cats. She is brilliant and without her care and dedication I think we'd have lost Midnight. When he was in Cat hospital she visited him and rang up every day to assure herself he was doing good. She looks forward to seeing him and I think having such a good team helps.

[JulieandBarney]

Thank you both.....Barney has had no difference at all in his day to day life....I honestly beileve that he may have kidney stones or similar, he has no skin complaint at all, without a bladder scan I can not work it out, but it is only my own vet who believes he needs one, which is frustrating....the problem is, that when we get him to the vet, he wees all over the table as soon as his bladder is touched, which he doesn't do at home, so they think he is ok.....but when he is at home he struggles to pass water normally...

[JulieandBarney]

Anybody..........?... any other advice please other than what I am doing now... advice please, I have tried everything... ?......

[Walesgang]

Sorry Julie

Really feel your pain and frustration

Personally, I would try another vet.

We are lucky that our vet specialises with cats and if she doesn't know the answer we know that she would find it for us.

Fusses to Barney from all of us xxxx

[Crewella]

Oh Julie, I know that feeling of helplessness and worry so well, I'm so sorry. Poor Barney too.

OK, this is my personal feeling, based on what happened with Daz - I'm not an expert, but went through this so often that I did at least start to understand some of the issues. This is such a complicated disease to understand, not helped by the 'idiopathic' label that really means 'we don't know', and I found that seeing a different vet made the whole issue even more confusing, rather than helpful having a second opinion!

I took Daz in for emergency blockages so often that we saw several vets over that dreadful year, and all seemed to have a different view on it. Two insisted it was stress related, but Daz is a particularly laid-back cat and I was never convinced of that. My usual vet wasn't so convinced of the stress factor, though was struggling to find any other cause, and I was very glad that we did a scan and then had the 'sand' analysed so that we did at least have something we were sure of. I'd definitely go ahead with that.

We did discuss the perineal urethrostomy op as an option, but my vet and I both thought that it wouldn't solve the underlying cystitis problem, only the blockages that were a secondary issue when he had a flare-up, so we left it as very much a last resort option. I was also very aware that, though it does work well in some cases, the statistics show it's not always a success.

I'd wait for your regular vet to come back and talk it through with him, then push ahead with the tests - unless of course things take a turn for the worse and you have to take him in as an emergency.

I was thinking about how Barney always has a flare-up when his antibiotic stop, and I wondered if they were having an anti-inflammatory effect. It mentions the possibility here at 'Antibiotics':

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=612" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've always felt that Metacam really helped Daz, both as an anti-inflammatory and to ease the pain and stop him straining so much. I still keep a bottle handy, just in case, and it's the first thing I reach for if I see Daz hovering by the litter tray or doing anything that reminds me of how he was (thankfully a rare occurence these days ... touch wood). It would certainly be worth talking to the vets about trying some form of anti-inflammatory instead of the antibiotics?

Give Barney a gentle fuss from me, and (((((hugs))))) to you, I really feel for you. xx

[greenkitty]

I'm sorry your poor boy is having problems again. Is he insured? Have you insisted? Told them what you want? Be tough with them, say it's unacceptable for you keep palming AB's on him, I want him to be scanned so we can at least rule out stones etc.

Or is it time for you to think about getting a referral to a specialist in urinary problems. I would have thought with all these problems someone should be thinking it's time to do some investigations and see if they can find if there's anything causing his problems rather than just blaming it on stress when it seems that's unlikely to be the cause.

[SarahT1 [PLLE]]

Oh, Julie, I am sorry, your poor boy. I have nothing particularly useful to offer apart from to say that the suggestions that you check out a vet who specialises in urinary issues sounds very sensible. I do feel for you so much and for your precious Barney. Do continue to keep us posted. XXX

[Shelly and Dora]

Hi Julie.

How difficult for you. It must be awful seeing Barney strain and not being able to help.

I appreciate you're sure it's not stress related however once he starts to strain clearly, & understandably, you get stressed which he probably picks up on, it's also going to be stressful for him going round & round in circles in the litter tray with nothing happening. Therefore although the issue isn't started by stress could it be that stress does become a factor?

Have you got any feliway you could plug in? What about rescue remedy? I've never used it with Dora but I know there's people on the forum that always use it for vet visits etc.

Fusses to Barney and (((hugs)))) to you from Dora & I xx

[HRHFluffy]

Hi Julie, so sorry you're going through this with Barney yet again. I haven't got any advice other than what's been said. I agree with Shelly that stress could be adding to the problem once Barney starts straining and getting distressed. This really needs serious investigation now as continuous AB's is not going to do him any good long term. Really feel for you. Sending hugs to you both Xx

[JulieandBarney]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all so much for your responses, I really do appreciate all of your support with this, bless you.

I have been over and over in my mind what may be the trigger for this, so last night I changed tactic and decided to leave the patio door slightly open to allow him access to the back garden overnight, as he flew threw the door yesterday morning hurrying to get out, though he has 2 litter trays he can use, he desperately wanted to go out. This morning, he was much happier and calmer, sleeping on the sofa when i got up, so maybe this could be the problem ? I really don't know but I am going to monitor the situation and see what happens, heaven knows I have tried everything else !

Shelley mentioned he may be picking up on any stress I have and quite rightly yesterday I was quite anxious as I was thinking of the visit to my parents today, who are very poorly and this was playing on my mind,as it's very emotional and heartbreaking, so that's also something to consider....I am also going to try the Rescue Remedy and see what happens..for me too !

I think I will do as Crewella suggests and wait for my usual vet to return and discuss the scan, as he promised that this would be his next step, unless there is an emergency prior to this...Barney is insured so I have peace of mind too....

It is almost like living on a knife edge each time I see him stoop in the garden Though at the moment he is on m,y knee biffing my hand away from the keys, as he hates the tapping sound !! So please forgive any errors on here

Today he has had a happy day...but tomorrow it may be back again for another few hours, it is so unpredictable.........

Thank you all once again, I read your responses over and over and it gives me so much comfort....xx

[SarahT1 [PLLE]]

Oh Julie, that's good, I'm so glad the lovely boy is happier today. Maybe he needs to go to the loo outdoors to feel less stressed. I know Pepsi is much happier finding her spot in the garden and it's always rather amusing watching her make her choice - usually somewhere inconvenient for us, such as a patch of grass I've seeded and covered with top soil, the newly seeded herb bed, a pile of soil and earth clods waiting to be sieved to reclaim the soil. It makes me smile every time. She looks so happy beavering away in there. Although I know she goes in the tray overnight or when we are out and everyone is brought inside, I don't remember the last time I've seen her go in a tray. I am increasingly convinced that she doesn't like the public scrutiny of the tray, whether it's us or the other cats. So maybe there may be an issue here you have identified for Barney...

Lots of hugs and fusses all round. xx

[Walesgang]

Oh Julie, I am so glad Barney is feeling a bit better today!

I think cats definitely pick up on stress.

Interestingly, my lot seem to favour pooing outside (We have a bit of a mole problem - the cats use the mole hills as ready made litter trays! At least I know where to look before getting the mower out!)

Fusses to your handsome lad

Xxxx

[bobbys girl]

Julie, There is nothing constructive that I can add to what has already been said. Just to say, I'm thinking of you - and Barney, and hoping that you will get to the bottom of his problems very soon.

Chin up girl, we're all rooting for you. (Hugs) to you and fusses to Barney.

[notjustacat]

Here's another can't help you either, but am sending my best thoughts for Barney and you. I do hope he continues to improve. lotsa hugs from us.

[Jan]

Hello Julie ... I really do feel so much for what you're going through. Though (everything x'd here) Blackie seems now to have overcome his cystitis probs (with the definite help of 1 x Cystophan per day and plenty of added warmed water to his food), I know exactly how panicked you feel. This morning I came downstairs to find that Blackie hadn't urinated overnight in his tray and that 'old feeling' came rushing back inside me. Blackie was desperate to go out into the garden and my OH wanted to open the door, but I said 'no' - hoping against hope that Blackie would use his tray even though I know it would stress him not to be let out.

A huge sigh of relief ... Blackie used his tray and then I let him out. I should by now have more confidence in his ability to pass water, whether outdoors or in - but I don't. Its something I've never got over and doubt I ever will.

Hugs to you and Barney xx

[Crewella]

Yep, I'm another one still slightly obsessed with litter tray use with Daz, and I don't think I'll ever get over it entirely either. xx

I'm really glad today, at least, was a happy day, to give you both a bit of a 'breather'. (((hugs)))

[meriad]

Julie; I forget - is your garden cat proofed? If yes then I definitely would give Barney 24/7 access to the garden. I know my Monty would be totally stressed out if he didn't have that

Also, given that you have got insurance for Barney I would ask your vet for a specialist referral. These guys won't be the right ones as they specialise in heart and respiratory but give them a ring and see if they can recommend someone who specialises in Feline Cystitis: http://www.martinreferrals.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As for the rescue remedy; definitely try it for both yourself and Barney; there really isn't any harm. For yourself about 8 drops daily under the tongue and double that with the night one at night time if you want. For Barney 8 drops in the cup of our hand; gently rub your palms together and then rub your hands over Barney's ears. The skin is thinnest there and the remedy is absorbed quicker and easier and most cats don't mind the bit of extra tlc they get from that head rub

Finally what about trying either Feliway or in this instance probably better (if it is stress) Pet Remedy. It's valerian based so has a very different effect on the cats. Admittedly it can be a bit pungent - personally I don't mind it at all - but I know some people really struggle with the smell of valeiran; but it may be worth trying it if you haven't already?

http://www.petremedy.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Suze]

Hi Julie,

So sorry to read about Barney's ongoing problems. Like Helen, I think a scan of the bladder like your original vet has suggested would be a good plan, assuming there isn't any emergency until he's back. Have they x-rayed at all? I think the ultrasound scan would be better than xrays. With Max, the first vet said no stones but the senior vet said there were stones.

Like Ria said, referral could be an idea too. I seem to think you've been to the AHT before (forgive me if I've completely made that up), but I know the internal medicine team there cover urology. I'm guessing it would fall under that... The vets who operated on Max also have a referral centre in Northants, I'm happy to pm you their details.

So sorry you're all having a hard time getting to the bottom of it all. xx

[JulieandBarney]

Hi everyone

Thank you so much for your input, I have rescue remedy and the pet calming plug in on order now, so should be with us in the next few days.

Since starting the regime of leaving the patio door slightly ajar at night to allow him outdoor access, he has been much calmer and happier and all fingers crossed, no more signs of his usual straining to pass water. I will still wait to see my usual vet for a scan/ultrasound as I feel that there is obviously something underlying this problem. I just hope and pray that this spell of him being happy again lasts. I have upped his Cystease dose to 2 a day and added even more warm water than usual to his food, which thankfully he laps up.......I am watching him like a hawk at the moment !!xx

[Shelly and Dora]

I'm glad he seems happier Julie.

Fusses to your boy x

[Lallum]

I am so pleased Barney seems better.

I picked up on the cat litter thing. I still check every morning to see if it's been used. If it's not, I keep checking visually until there's signs. Before all this happened, Midnight used to pee in the litter tray whilst I was in the bathroom in the morning. Since I retired recently, I get up later and he doesnt seem to go at the same time. Maybe I should try to ignore it!

[JulieandBarney]

Hi Everyone,

Just an update.....Whilst I appear to have identified one problem for Barneys stress, which was being locked in at night, he had been absolutely fine since then.....until last night that is !!! Next doors young tabby came into the garden, thankfully, right at the bottom of the garden near the greenhouse...immediately, his ears shot up and he raced down the garden, he was not happy at all, I followed and shoeeed the other one away...but it upset him, he was very unsettled again....this morning, though he is passing some water, the straining 'to go' is back again....so I have given him lots of water in his food, cystease, and today his pet remedy plug in should arrive along with the rescue remedy.....I really don't know how else to calm him down......

[meriad]

Julie, I can't see if you mentioned before (so apologies if you did and feel free to tell me to get myself to SpecSavers! ) could you catproof either all or even just part of your garden so other cats can't get in and Barney could have 24/7 access?

Hopefully the various remedies you've ordered help him a bit. When is your vet back

[JulieandBarney]

Hi Meriad

Thank you for that. Our garden is not officially cat proofed, though we have 6 foot fencing all of the way around. Barney very, very rarely leaves the garden, he sits either in the greenhouse, or on his reclining chair in the garden !! (used to be ours !)....however, my oh has discovered where the cats get in and out, basically under the fence there is an area where they slide through a gap, hopefully that will be remedied this weekend. The stress times seem to last a few hours and then he is back to himself again, I left him this morning looking much brighter and curled up on his chair in the sun. I just wish he wasn't quite so sensitive to certain things, it immediately results in his episodes of cystitis, however short lived.

My vet should return at the end of next week, fingers crossed.....I am hoping that the Valerian plug in and also the valerian drops will help calm him a little....

[Crewella]

Glad to hear he's a bit happier now, and hopefully fixing the fence will curtail any more strange cats wanderings in his garden. xx

[Jan]

Hi Julie ... what you said about garden proofing to stop other cats coming into the garden and worrying Barney reminded me that our garden isn't cat proofed. I know that Blackie has been stressed by other cats coming into our garden in the past, but putting a high fence all around the garden (and its a long, wide one) wouldn't be the answer - as Blackie is a very good climber. We have a very high fence along our side drive which I was sure he wouldn't be able to get up. Wrong - one of the first things he did when he brought him home 2 years ago was clamber up the side fence, jump down onto the low front wall and he was gone, leaving me in a panic about the occasional traffic that comes round the bend slightly further down the road.

Friends and relatives remark what an agile cat he is for 12 years of age.

Hope Barney continues to improve.