The beginning of this month I lost my cat. Hes was only 2.?

Question

for the past year, he had been having "bladder infections" which I had been treating with medications from my vets. but about 3 wks ago this so called bladder infection made it to where he couldn't eat, sleep, or even stand up on his own. Soon, he began making a moaning sound like he was in pain so I just had to take him to the emergency vet clinic. the vet told me that he didn't have a bladder infection. he told me since he was neurtered he had become blocked by a feline urinary tract disease. he told me that my original vet had mis diagnosed him for the commen bladder infection. unfortunatly, he told me that there was nothing he could possibly do for him because his kidneys were already partially or totally destroyed. he said that I had no other choice but to put him down. my question is, do you think that I should have a gotten a second opinion for my cat or should I have insisted on treating him and trying to get him better. I loved that cat and I just feel terrible.

urinary tract disease is the same as cytitis, I researched about it because I never heard of it either.

Answer 1

I am not sure what the emergency vet was talking about. I am not sure if he believes that nuturing caused your cat's illness, but I have never heard that anywhere.

Male cats commonly have cystitis, which is an URI. ( bladder infection) They can become blocked and be unable to urinate. This blockage can cause the urine to back up and destroy the kidneys if not treated in time. The urine just stagnates and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

There are several things that you can do to help prevent a URI in male cats. If your cat is prone to URIs, he can be placed on a special diet by Science Diet. Also, you can make sure that your cat drinks a lot of fresh water. Cats will drink more if their water is in a porcelain bowl since the water stays cooler in porcelain. Also, you can add a tsp. of organic apple cider vinegar to about a quart of water to make the urine more acidic and more inhospitable to bacteria. Some people even have sucess in getting their cats to drink cranberry juice if they begin at an early age.

As far as a second opinion, if your cat's URI had caused his kidneys to blow out, euthanasia was probably the best solution that you could do. Don't feel terrible about choosing to alieve your cats pain and suffering by having him euthanized. All you could do was take the emergency vet's advice and to second guess your decision will only cause you pain.

I am sure you know what symptoms to look for in the future if you get another Tom cat.

I am sorry about your loss.

Answer 2

I feel very sorry for your loss. My thought is that a bladder infection should clear up in a relatively short amount of time with the help of anitbiotics. If this continued on and on, I think that a second opinion could have been warranted. I certainly would not take a new kitty to the old vet. I have never heard of anything like this before, so it could have been easy to misdiagnoise, but still, it should have been researched further as the condition continued

Answer 3

Don't feel bad about the cat being misdiagnosed, it happends, and we can all tell from your story that you tried everything you could to get your cat some help. People don't usually think about getting a second opinion about what a vet says, until their cat doesn't respond to treatment. Make sure and tell that first vet what happened and you might get your money back, but I'm not sure if there is anything else the first vet could have done other than surgery, where again you would have had to choose between expenseive surgery and putting your cat to sleep.
Try to take comfort from our words, and if you want to adopt another cat there are pletty out there who need caring homes like yours.

Answer 4

First off, I'm sooo sorry for your loss!! And secondly, go call up that first vet and tell him about it! He deserves to know. And demand your money back.

I'm not sure how easily it is to misdiagnose a cat, I'm not a vet, but if he wasn't sure, he should have ran additional tests or asked for a second opinion. It never hurts for you to go get a second opinion on your own though. My cat had a severe UTI which led to a bladder infection, he almost died, but luckily we had a great vet that helped us so much. I personally wouldn't trust your vet anymore, try to find another one for any other pets you might have or will have in the future.

Again, I'm really sorry for your loss!!! But at least you let him go peacefully and were there for him until they end... Just try not to beat yourself up over it. You tried your best and the vet mislead you, it's HIS fault, not yours! Just give your kitty a nice little burial and keep a picture around or something to remember him by.

Answer 5

I know exactly how you feel! I lost my baby last year after 15 year!
I went thru the same as you-misdiagnosis. In fact, the vet that bought the business from the original vet brought it to my attention. I filed a complaint with the Vet Association. They confiscated the records and found lots of problems. Result: That Vet is no longer practicing!
We put our faith in doctors - more for our pets than anything. We can communicate - they can't. You vet should have taken a urine sample. He would know exactly what infection he had. I would definitely file a complaint.

Answer 6

Im soooo sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my cat of 13 years in January of this year due to cancer. When she was diagnosed I did get a second opinion. It's always a good idea to do so. I even do it for myslef. Just for the next time make sure you have a backup doctor. It's a learning experience. At least your little one is resting somewhere he won't feel pain.

Answer 7

You did the most humane thing for an old friend.Even the very best vets are not always rite....You should feel good about your decision,because you simply spared your cat a lot of needless suffering.

Answer 8

If you don't have the extra money to throw around I think you did the right thing. You don't want him suffering anymore. If it was over a year that's long enough. The second doctor probably diagnosed him right. I'm sorry about your cat.

Answer 9

That's terrible! It's not your fault in any way. You pay medical professionals so much because they're supposed to know the answers. They should have been more thorough with their check - you shouldn't have to go to two different vets for any simple problem your pet might have.

Answer 10

you know you dont think vets could be wrong . but this goes to prove that they can be. ithink you did the right thing you listened to your vet and did what they told you unfortunatly your vet didnt see what it reall was. but i know its painfulll for youto lose your cat. but look at it like this your cat is in a better place now , pain free and your cat is happy and healthy now. your cat isnt hurting anymore and thats the most important thing .. cat knows you tried to do everything you could but it was his/her time . they will laways love you .