My male cat has a chronic bladder infection. The vet told me sometimes cats (especially males) have this problem for seemingly no reason and the only cure is $1800 surgery, constant meds, or sometimes they just get over it after 3-5 years if you can afford medication for that long. I've dropped almost $200 in vet bills and antibiotics (methionine to decrease crystallization, amoxicillain, + 2-3 others) and can't afford it anymore. I really don't want to put him down but I don't have anymore money for vet bills. I almost didn't get MY bills paid last month. Are there any HOME REMEDIES I can try to cure/help it? Does apple cider vinegar work for cats (I read it does for dogs)? He's on Purina urinary tract food.
2007-02-20 07:27:59 · 10 answers · asked by Cierra 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I'm sure the Purina food just has methionine added to it. All Purina foods are 2/3 grain and that is not good for any cat. I switched my cats to a raw meat home-prepared diet seven years ago and my cat with urinary problems never had another episode. The raw meat diet causes the urine to be slightly acid and that is the natural state for the cat.
I can give you some ideas and resources for that if you want to email me. I would convert your cat now to a quality canned food - Natural Balance, Wellness, Lick Your Chops, Blue, Avoderm, Felidae etc. while you look into the raw meat diet. I give my three male cats a combination of the raw meat and canned food.
2007-02-20 09:05:41 · answer #1 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I know it is a tough thing to deal with, my mother went through the same thing with her male cat. Keep him on the Purina!!!! This is exactly what she has fed Tigger and he's been UTI free for 2 years now!
You need to do some research on home remedies in felines, as they greatly differ from canines and some things you give dogs can kill a cat in seconds.
Also, the only cure is not an $1800 surgery, any vet that tells you this is just looking for money and has no interest in the animal.
Your last bit, make sure he has plenty of FRESH water, you wouldn't believe the difference this makes.
2007-02-20 07:41:16 · answer #2 · answered by Athera78 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sadly, my two-year-old Siamese ended up being put down. They found with him his bladder was malformed and my own vet had missed it (somehow) on the X-Rays he did the first time we had our Siamese treated for the bladder infection.
For us, the dietary change didn't work. I even tried the food from Dick Van Patten that contains cranberry when the second infection hit.
We spent $1000 on our cat and then were offered a choice of bladder reconstruction $8000 or putting him down. It killed me and I don't think I'll ever own another Siamese because the breed breaks my heart now - but after buying him for $200, spending the money to have him fixed, to have his two bladder infections cleared up, and then another $300 to have a second set of xrays done by another vet, we had to put him down. It was better for him and our finances were tapped out.
2007-02-20 07:36:12 · answer #3 · answered by lovesamystery32 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there are things you can do to fix this at home but be sure to include the vet when making decisions. You may wish to look for a vet in your area that specializes in natural or holistic medicine.
You will need to put your boy on a natural canned food. You can get information on food here http://www.belfield.com/article3.html This site also has info on bladder infections you might find helpful.
You should read up on this condition and cures. I highly recommend this book. It saved my cat after two vets told me the situation was hopeless. http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/155643295X/ref=s9_asin_title_1/104-8483050-1274346
Don't give up!
2007-02-20 07:41:34 · answer #4 · answered by aGhost2u 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat with the same problem. And the vet told me this happens to male cats that have been fixed. Sadly i lost that cat. And when i got another cat, I knew i would never fix another cat. But my cat is a inside cat. and he is 15yrs old now. No i do not have a home remedied, sorry.
2007-02-27 13:09:16 · answer #5 · answered by Granny 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that is not true at all my cat had the same problem about 3 years ago and all you have to do is buy him special food its made by purina pro plan my cat has been eating it since and hasnt had a problem since. i think doc wants some extra money
2007-02-25 14:58:07 · answer #6 · answered by Grace W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat had continuous urinary tract infections - the vet finally diagnosed Chronic Cystitis. I give him only urinary tract food. My cat got over it eventually but you might want to go the homeopathic route. I had a friend who uses UTI Free.
http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/uti-free-urinary-tract-infection-cats-dogs.html?img=321&kbid=1226
I haven't personally used it but she gives it to her cats regularly.
Good luck!!
2007-02-20 07:35:12 · answer #7 · answered by LSG 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cat died from this and we later found out the food we feed him cause it....PURINA INDOOR FORMULA. Please don't feed any Purina to your cat. Use the food from the Vet. It safer and better formulated for your cats' problem. Hope he gets better.
2007-02-27 05:10:50 · answer #8 · answered by hollybear 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
just like us they can drink cranberry juice for UTI.
2007-02-20 12:33:46 · answer #9 · answered by MommyCaleb 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
try cranberry juice
2007-02-20 07:36:23 · answer #10 · answered by The Child 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋