On 1/15/2021 4:00 PM, Judith Latham wrote:
In article , jmcquown
wrote:
On 1/14/2021 8:21 AM, Judith Latham wrote:
In article , jmcquown
wrote:
She started acting a little "off" on Saturday. She didn't eat much.
I later noticed litter box problems, which is a new thing for as long
as I've had her. I thought she might be constipated as she appeared
to be straining and what little poop output there was was sometimes
outside the litter box. Urinary output was less than usual, too,
even though she usually drinks a plenty of of water. Then she
started hiding. Uh oh. Buffy rarely hides unless there is is a
technician of some sort in the house to fix something.

Long story short, I got an appointment at the vet this morning and
x-rays show she has a bladder stone. She's slightly dehydrated so
they gave her IV fluids. Also an antibiotic shot and an appetite
stimulant.

The vet recommended we change her diet to a prescription one for a
few weeks. She said sometimes a small single bladder stone will
dissolve by itself with a change in diet. (Note: she asked me what I
normally feed Buffy and didn't have a problem with it.) We're hoping
this stone will go away without surgery.

Buffy came back acting like a new cat! It's almost like they gave
her happy pills or something. She's not hiding. She hopped out of
the carrier and drank some water. I poured some of the Rx kibble in
her dish and she went right for it. Could be the appetite stimulant
shot the vet gave her, could be she actually likes the food. (Here's
hoping! Persia always hated the Rx food she had to eat.)
(snippage)
Jill


I'm so sorry I didn't pick this up earlier. Poor Buffy. How is she
now? I'm making a not to self to log in here daily, first thing. It's
a poor friend who doesn't check you're ok.

Judith

Don't worry about it, Judith! Buffy is so much better. No appetite
stimulant required to get her to eat. She has quite taken to the dry
kibble. The wet prescription food is the 'in gravy' type. She does
what she always did with that type of regular 'in gravy" food and lick
the gravy and leave the meat of the meal. That's not a success. But
she's feeling great, she's producing normal litter box output and she's
extremely playful.

She goes back for a follow-up x-ray to check on the bladder stone at the
end of the month. I am hoping the change in diet will have allowed the
stone to dissolve naturally. She sure acts like she feels good. All
of her bloodwork came back with great numbers. Slightly elevated
levels of something I can't pronounce which indicate UTI/Bladder
stones. The food seems to be helping immensely, for which I'm
grateful. And she's eating it, which is really important.

One interesting thing about this vet visit during Covid. No one was
allowed inside the lobby. Appointment made, wait in your car. They'll
pick up your pet in the parking lot. Like a 1950's car-hop. It seems
to be working.

I never in my life thought I'd see the day you had to sit in your car or
on a bench outside a veterinary clinic and have them come outside
wearing masks and gloves. I asked one of the vet techs as she was
walking by, did you ever imagine it would come to working like this?
She said "No," then looked at the little tent with the benches by the
front door where I was sitting and said, "I'm just glad we have nice
weather!"

Stupid virus has changed so many ways of dealing with things. But Buffy
is doing just fine. I'm sure she'll be given a clean bill of health at
her next appointment. Thanks for your good wishes, Judith.


Jill

I'm really glad Buffy seems to be doing well.

It is very strange going to the vet (or anywhere else) at the moment. We
had to sit outside in the car when we took Sootie for her check up and
Booster jabs last summer. It's a horrible feeling as they walk away with
your cat, then waiting for them to come back. We had good weather too.

Take care and I hope she gets that clean bill of health at her next
appointment.

Judith

Thanks! Times are really strange but it's nice to know they're working
to take care of our fur babies and to keep everyone safe. It did feel
weird having them carry her off and have to sit outside... tug at the
heart! Can't go in with her. I know you felt that with Sootie.

Buffy really does feel better. Her litterbox output is back to normal
and she's eating and drinking well. Hopefully this Rx food dissolved
the stone. Next vet visit will tell. I'll keep you posted but feel
very positive. Buffy certainly seems to.

Jill