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What's The Difference Between Vet C/d Dry Cat Food For Cats With Kidney/urethera Problems And Hill's Science Diet For Cats 7+ Deemed Seniors?

Vet just estimated $700 for catheter, antibiotics, anaesthesia, 3 days at Vet clinic for blocked urethera because cat cried and retched white foam twice and seemed to have pain near urethera although cat already eats Vet's 50 dollar c/d dry food and Hill's Science dry for senior cats to avoid such blockage. Vet said dehydration and blocked urethera possible, hence, the estimate and the stay for the 8 year old male in perfect health until early this morning..

asked 2 months ago

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Trxtersmom

I would personally talk to your vet about canned food options (no fish flavors). Dry food causes many, many health problems, and high ash content is terrible for cats with these problems.

I hope your baby feels better soon!

answered 2 months ago

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A Black One

His Sunday morning eyes stared at me;
but he gave no hint of being unwell;
I gave him the attention he sought
although those eyes haunted me thereafter.

Monday his cries caught my ears, my throat
closed in a gasp--something was different;
his body hurt; he could not describe
what ailed him, but he needed a doctor.

His eyes stayed fixed on mine as he wailed,
but he did not resist being carried off;
the doctor described the tests and costs;
catheters, glucose, antibiotics...
he recovered from anesthesia,
seemed to be doing very well, she said,
urethra unblocked, urine flows clear,
electrolytes down, but he responds well
and renal failure less certain Tuesday
as we return all foods now deemed unsafe.

Wednesday I'm worried and call often,
then the doctor returns my nth call
to say he is failing, death may occur
unless I agree to euthanasia..

He is gone before ten ayem, too late
for me to witness his passing, too late
to thank him for being great black cat,
too late to scratch his head in that spot.

Other cats here had mourned before I knew,
which is why I began calling at eight;
their behaviors and my seeing his eyes
signaled something was wrong--he might be dead.

He was not yet eight, Siamese-shaped,
with white toes and tuxedo chest, a tail
to be proud off; tattered ears from fights
needing surgery last January.

He was neutered, chipped and shotted in time
post being rescued from a feral pack
at a machine shop near Bell Gardens;
he climbed ladders; he conversed in cat chat.

Settling his bill by four shows the seven
hundred estimated to save him was more
than his death cost; his wee body weighs less,
but burying it seems a ton of loss...

Jeanne Khan
23 July 2008

comment made by Jeannekhan 2 months ago Report

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A Black One
 
His Sunday morning eyes stared at me;
but he gave no hint of being unwell;
I gave him the attention he sought
although those eyes haunted me thereafter.
 
Monday his cries caught my ears, my throat
closed in a gasp--something was different;
his body hurt; he could not describe 
what ailed him, but he needed a doctor.
 
His eyes stayed fixed on mine as he wailed,
but he did not resist being carried off;
the doctor described the tests and costs;
catheters, glucose, antibiotics...
he recovered from anesthesia,
seemed to be doing very well, she said,
urethra unblocked, urine flows clear,
electrolytes down, but he responds well
and renal failure less certain Tuesday
as we return all foods now deemed unsafe.
 
Wednesday I'm worried and call often,
then the doctor returns my nth call
to say he is failing, death may occur
unless I agree to euthanasia..
 
He is gone before ten ayem, too late
for me to witness his passing, too late
to thank him for being great black cat,
too late to scratch his head in that spot.
 
Other cats here had mourned before I knew,
which is why I began calling at eight;
their behaviors and my seeing his eyes
signaled something was wrong--he might be dead.
 
He was not yet eight, Siamese-shaped, 
with white toes and tuxedo chest, a tail
to be proud off; tattered ears from fights
needing surgery last January.
 
He was neutered, chipped and shotted in time
post being rescued from a feral pack
at a machine shop near Bell Gardens;
he climbed ladders; he conversed in cat chat.
 
Settling his bill by four shows the seven
hundred estimated to save him was more
than his death cost; his wee body weighs less,
but burying it seems a ton of loss...
 
Jeanne Khan
23 July 2008

lisamarie1

That is so much money to have to pay for a cat. Wow. I applaud you must really love your cat very much. I know a lot of people who buys the cheapest cat food, etc. At least you are caring what your cat gets. Take care. I don't know the difference just wanted to say I applaud you for this.

answered 2 months ago

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We are retired on fixed income, do not travel, are thrifty/frugal aka cheap..;> except for
animal causes and this is way more than our budget, but this Blackie, a slim siamese
type cat rescued from a feral litter at a machine shop by our neighbor in 2000 is a dear
creature who blesses our lives as the others do. Crossing fingers that money makes
a difference and saves his life. Must call back at 4 today and hope he survived so far.
After noon every day, I herd the males toward the guest rooms while neighbors laugh
because the cats know what "Shall I walk you to your room" means; the old female
tabby who lives in my bedroom while the males are about knows when the kittens are
in the room and the coast is clear, as I say. These cars are unique individuals to whom
the wee corgi/jackrussell type rescue dog defers because he is the newest here, funny
stuff. Blackie usually sits on the platform in front of my monitor so I will stop keying
and pet him; other cats walk around the keyboard and wait their turn on either side
for head scratching. The cats heal us every day by being so friendly and funny. The wee
dog is well trained and all get their annual shots at the SEACCA clinic each October--
you should picture all those carriers (6) in the truck each year. The female, old Muffins,
walks with me for up to a mile some days while the neighbors laugh and wonder why
she does that. She walks to remind me to do that. She is so tiny and each cats voice
is unique as they respond to questions with various sounds or no comment when we
are merely commenting with the sound of a question mark ending a sentence. Cats
grace our lives and we are lucky they are so healthy most of the time. They look out
their window at night and see the night cats and possums eating their leftovers...;>
It is good to be kind to those who are keeping us healthy with their being cats and a dog.

comment made by Jeannekhan 2 months ago Report

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We are retired on fixed income, do not travel, are thrifty/frugal aka cheap..;> except for
animal causes and this is way more than our budget, but this Blackie, a slim siamese
type cat rescued from a feral litter at a machine shop by our neighbor in 2000 is a dear
creature who blesses our lives as the others do. Crossing fingers that money makes
a difference and saves his life. Must call back at 4 today and hope he survived so far.
After noon every day, I herd the males toward the guest rooms while neighbors laugh
because the cats know what "Shall I walk you to your room" means; the old female
tabby who lives in my bedroom while the males are about knows when the kittens are
in the room and the coast is clear, as I say. These cars are unique individuals  to whom
the wee corgi/jackrussell type rescue dog defers because he is the newest here, funny
stuff. Blackie usually sits on the platform in front of my monitor so I will stop keying
and pet him; other cats walk around the keyboard and wait their turn on either side
for head scratching. The cats heal us every day by being so friendly and funny. The wee
dog is well trained and all get their annual shots at the SEACCA clinic each October--
you should picture all those carriers (6) in the truck each year. The female, old Muffins,
walks with me for up to a mile some days while the neighbors laugh and wonder why
she does that. She walks to remind me to do that. She is so tiny and each cats voice
is unique as they respond to questions with various sounds or no comment when we
are merely commenting with the sound of a question mark ending a sentence. Cats 
grace our lives and we are lucky they are so healthy most of the time. They look out
their window at night and see the night cats and possums eating their leftovers...;>
It is good to be kind to those who are keeping us healthy with their being cats and a dog.

Jeannekhan

Five rescued cats (F15+, M3+, M8, M10-ish and M12-ish) receive Friskies canned beef with gravy, and Senior salmon and Nine Lives Super Supper each day. The c/d source is in their room for nights and Hill's is outside for days. Now and then they receive Friskies treats of tuna/salmon taste
and a rare Fancy Feast because the eldest male has crystals ago, so
we changed from Nutra-Max in plastic dishes to Vet's c/d in glass for him
and the others. The rescue dog eats Nutro max and wet food and now
and the cats eat his Nutro Max for taste..;> and vice versa--dog eats
their uneated beef with gravy cat food before all scraped together
for stray cats and oppossums at night..;> The expensive CD and special
senior cat Hills Science diet is geared to avoid problem you mentioned.
hence our surprise that the M 8 was sick this morning as described.

answered 2 months ago

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Sounds like quite a lovely menagerie. You sound a lot like me, I'll do anything for my pets to keep them safe and happy. My girl Mollie, put to sleep on Tuesday, suffered from chronic bladder infections from the time she was 4 years old. FLUTD is not as serious in females, as in males, but she was treated countless times for this malady. She lived to be nearly 18 years old. When I switched their food from adult maintenance to senior food, my male also got a urinary tract infection. I know what you're going through. They offer so much, that it seems we'd do anything for them. Mollie swallowed one of my pain pills, and I had to make a very expensive call to pet poison control. I didn't think twice about doing it. She said "mama" when she came by me, and I thought I had lost my mind, until the vet said that cats can sometimes mimic very rudimentary sounds that we make, and I always called myself mama to her. What a blessing those two were, and I was glad to have them as long as I did. I now have a very large, nearly 8 month old kitten, who is just a joy. I was thankful, when Mollie was euthanized, that I could open the bedroom door, and know he'd be coming out. I'm happy that you and your husband are as blessed as I was with such great pets! Take care, and good luck with Blackie!

comment made by Mymollie 2 months ago Report

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Sounds like quite a lovely menagerie.  You sound a lot like me, I'll do anything for my pets to keep them safe and happy.  My girl Mollie, put to sleep on Tuesday, suffered from chronic bladder infections from the time she was 4 years old.  FLUTD is not as serious in females, as in males, but she was treated countless times for this malady.  She lived to be nearly 18 years old.  When I switched their food from adult maintenance to senior food, my male also got a urinary tract infection.  I know what you're going through.  They offer so much, that it seems we'd do anything for them.  Mollie swallowed one of my pain pills, and I had to make a very expensive call to pet poison control.  I didn't think twice about doing it.   She said "mama" when she  came by me, and I thought I had lost my mind, until the vet said that cats can sometimes mimic very rudimentary sounds that we make, and I always called myself mama to her.  What a blessing those two were, and I was glad to have them as long as I did.  I now have a very large, nearly 8 month old kitten, who is just a joy.  I was thankful, when Mollie was euthanized, that I could open the bedroom door, and know he'd be coming out.  I'm happy that you and your husband are as blessed as I was with such great pets!  Take care, and good luck with Blackie!

AnnFalkDVM

Please talk to your veterinarian about your concerns with the pet food and treatment plan. This trust is a 2 way street and they cannot help you provide the best care for your pet is you do not share your concerns.
The Hill's C/D changes the pH of the urine to attempt to prevent crystal development that can lead to infection and blockage from a stone or mucous plug. The Senior diet is meant to be a well balanced maintenance diet for older animals and is not specific for urinary issues alone.
If you cat is unable to urinate and is "blocked" this is a serious and potentially life threatening emergency. A cat that is unable to urinate from obstruction to the urethra will not unblock on its own and will pass away without treatment. If your cat is able to urinate but just having trouble urinating then talk to your veterinarian about less aggressive treatment options. Again if the cat is unable to urinate at all-producing no urine after attempting to urinate--he needs to be unblocked immediately.

answered 2 months ago

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Day two at the Vet's for Blackie goes well, the catheter is producing clear urine and antibiotics are added as hydration occurs. His surprise wailing yesterday morning meant I had him ready for Vet at dawn, but they took him in at 11 a.m. My spouse just carried
all the dry bags of food and the cans of wet food that our five cats and the dog eat off to the Vet's office for their opinion. We shall return all unopened bags to Pet Smart as we
agree with you. Blackie did not appear unable to urinate, only the morning wailing gave
me a clue...

comment made by Jeannekhan 2 months ago Report