PU surgery for my cat?

Question

My Cat has been to the Vet 3 times in the last 5 weeks, most recently tonite X-mas eve, all for being blocked up and not being able to urinate. Well finally, the vet told me that he would need a PU surgery. I was wondering what the expected cost would be? Any information or advice that I could use during this process. I have two others cats. This cat is about 4 years old and everyone is very concerned. Are there any major risks of death? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The vet should have told you the charges.

Call over there. It's not a secret, they'll tell you if you ask.

Just the blockage can kill him.
Yes, the surgery is expensive, it depends on where you live and what other tests the doctor wants done. Pop for blood work. I will show kidney function. If they're too far gone, saving him might not be possible.

It's also possible for him to react badly to the drugs they use during surgery, and for the surgery to be unsuccessful or unhelpful to cure his condition.

I've seen 2 of these cats.
The surgery didn't help.
The owners tried, but it just got too expensive.

Good luck to you. I hope it all works out.

Answer 2

My siamese had that after being blocked six times, it was a painful surgery for him (they should have given him pain killers for when he was at home but this vet didn't do that). Make SURE you get pain killers! The liquid drops work well.

It's a major surgery, they cut part of the urethra shorter, move it forward into the 'female' position so the tube is wider and less able to block. My cat was down to 1/4 kidney function but this completely fixed his problem. He lived another 9 years and didn't block after that.

Risk of death--depends on how the cat's condition is. My cat was about 8 years old at the time and in good health otherwise. He spent 3 days at the vets then had recuperative time at home. I didn't regret anything about the operation except the pain he was in afterwards. Back when it was done I think it was less standard to do post op pain control than it is today.

The cost was $1,200 by the time it was all complete, but it was worth it.

Answer 3

You need to get an estimate from the vet. Call and ask for one; they'll probably have to call you back with the total. If they won't give you an estimate, you might want to consider going to another clinic.

Of course there's always a risk of death when a pet undergoes any anesthetic procedure. Generally, you'd want to run a blood panel within 30 days of the surgery to make sure that his liver and kidneys are working well.

Answer 4

The PU is very hard at first on the cat because of discomfort due to the procedure & on you because you have to keep a very clean litter box Vets usually want you to use plastic or paper instead of clay for sanitary reasons for a short while, but in the long run its soo much easier on both of you and cheaper, easier because he doesn't have to worry about telling you his kidneys are over flowing and he is in limbo of dying a painful death & you because you don't have to worry about running to the box every time he goes in there to make sure he is going or worring about if he is going when your not home, there is piece of mind to the PU for both of you.
It cost about $500.00 $700.00 well worth it...believe me!!!
Not to mention the food that is prescribed? Is not nutrishionally complete and is for short time use ONLY not to mention very expensive, has your Vet mentioned or know about Vitamin C therapy? It depends on the type of stones he is accumulating weather it will work or not.