I know have 2 cats with IC

[waterflow]

This summer has been extra stressful. Had another cat come down with a really bad infection and I had this sinking feeling she would end up with IC like my other cat did. Her's started that way but she got better after the antibiotic and I was so happy! Antibiotic never helped my first cat but within 2 weeks it hit her harder and of course on the weekend. Always on the weekend and the only vet opened was 3 hours away. I spent the whole night up with her she was that bad. She looked like she was in labor pushing all the time and leaving little trails of blood on the floor. Took me 3 1/2 hours to get there because I got lost. Got lost trying to find my way out of the city. What few street signs there was were so small I needed bionic eyes to read them. Go figure. Anyway, I have nicknamed her my little slob messy maker. When she is really sick she poops, pees and throws up all over in their bedroom but at least it is only in their bedroom. Not in the rest of the house. So, I spent the last 3 days cleaning and washing their bedding and re-cleaning and re-washing. I sure do start to feel like I will have a nervous break down. Kind of takes a lot out of me taking care of her but has to be done. Just weird I think how I ended up with 2 cats with IC. Just hoping it stays at 2 only and none of the other 4 come down with it but I got my first credit card. Was completely broke and vet told me about care credit and I applied. Got a $2,700 credit line so here I go now....in debt..........but they give 6 months to pay it off without interest and then they charge 26%. Ouch! Kind of a rip off but that's life. I just need to buy a case of vodka to help me through this all.

[ICNDonna]

Donna

[Toto]

Oh my! That's awful! The poor kitties. Never heard of cats having IC. How dreadful for them. I can imagine you are exhausted from cleaning.

[waterflow]

When my first cat came down with IC my biggest fear (other then she would never get better at all) was one or all the others would come down with it. Mornings are the hardest. I'm just dragging myself until the vicoden kicks in but this morning was another cleaning and back to laundry. I don't know why, but when cats have a bladder problem they pee in the furniture. I did get smart and put those bedding pads, for people to use so they don't pee in the furniture, in all the chairs. Plus I've been using blankets to cover the furniture from day one. Lets just say they will not be using my place as a show piece for Better Homes and Gardening. At least with me having IC I understand what they are going through. Maybe that is why I got IC 12 years ago? So when the cats came I would know all about it because for me to have cats is really out of this world. Given the fact I had a life long fear of them and never petted a cat until 4 years ago. Anyway, I'm hoping all will get back to normal. Have to take the 5 for their rabbies shot Friday afternoon. Would take all 6 but they out grew a carrier and old "mom" is broke to the bone.

[bubbe1]

cats with IC

Poor kitties. And poor mommy of kitties.

You're a good person to work so hard taking care of your sick animals.

I hope the medications for feline IC will help your cats.

Sending a hug,
Laurie

[earthlady]

You poor thing. I know what it's like having something go wrong with your pets when it's on the weekend, or after hours. It's terribly frustrating and upsetting.
From what I've read bladder problems can be quite common with cats. My cat is just now starting her kidney decline due to old age. Not only do I monitor my urine out put etc.etc, but I now have to keep an eye on her's too along with how much water she is drinking and how often she pees. Have you considered buying pet insurance? It's pretty common now. I hope by now things are a little better for you and the fur kids.

[SandyRN]

I had a cat with IC. He did very well with it for a while but eventually we had to put him to sleep, much too early. He also developed bladder cancer. My dalmation also died of bladder cancer.

I wonder about the water here sometimes as it's such a huge coincidence.

I'm sorry to hear about your cats...they can live a long, healthy life now tho...special foods, meds, etc.

Sandy

[jen74]

I honestly believe that it is a nasty infection that that cats have, probably with a very evolved bacteria that cannot be cultured and is resistant to many antibiotics. I believe this to also be true of people with IC. I feel so bad when a animal gets sick, they are so helpless to help themselves. I am glad that there is at least a humane way to put them out of their misery. Too bad they do not have that for people!!!

Jen

[waterflow]

She is doing some what better now. She gets worse it seems now only when I have company. Which thankfully isn't very often but she only had diarahria once lately so I'm hoping that is a good sign. The other cat has been doing really great. She only had one set back when her sister first came down with it. I have found it is better for Pumpkin if I stay calm and not make a big deal about it. It has to run its course so I try to keep everything going the same. At least I Carecredit card I have makes it a little bit easier on me. I don't have to worry about not having money for their meds or incase one of the others get sick but I do have to worry about paying it off within 6 months. I just hope they don't get worse with time like I did because there is no other meds for them then what they get now. Never would I have thought 5 years ago (come January) I would be a professional cat owner. Wow, how time goes by fast and how things change in that time too.

[waterflow]

Jen, I"m not sure if putting animals to sleep is humane. Unless they are to the point where they don't understand what is going on. All 5 dogs I had knew what was going to happen. The others that were still around barked for the other one as much to say they were yelling no. They were ok mind wise but physically they weren't and my one dog kept moving so the vet couldn't do the needle but in the end he did. I have thought about that day, when would it come for the cats and I hope with everything in me they go peacefully in their sleep.

[jen74]

I do get what you are saying, but it is our duty as pet owners to do the right thing when and if that time should come. The only time an animal should be put to sleep is if they are very sick and suffering terribly. My grandma had a dog and she got to the point where she could not pee anymore and she would not eat and was in terrible pain. My grandma had her put to sleep, and it just about killed her she was so filled with grief over the process, but she could no longer watch the poor thing suffer. I just lost my doggy this past April and I am still greiving pretty bad. He was out baby. He was only just turning 9. He collapsed and we rushed him to the animal 911. They took xrays and said that his heart was filled with fluid and that it looked like there may have been a tumor that ruptured. The vet said that she see's this in alot of animals. It happens out of the blue. My puddin did not even show symptoms before it happened. Puddin died 15 minutes after we got him to the hospital. I am glad I did not have to make that decision, it would have devestated me. Before he died the vet said that I was going to have to make a decision, but she told me that there was no cure and that he would likely suffer if I left him alive. God made that choice for me, so I did not have to do it. I can imagine it is the hardest thing a person would have to do. I only say it is humane because what is better, to let a animal live in suffering when the outcome is that they are still going to die? Like I said, I wish they had that for humans that a terminally ill, but they do not so people have to suffer. That is just my opinion though.

Jen

[waterflow]

The problem for me really is the pet didn't have the say in it. We really don't know what they think or want. Just like some people would want the choice for that and some would rather live right up to the very end. There just is no right answer but you are right. Is the hardest thing in the world to do.

[Sprockets]

Waterflow, I really wonder if you have the right diagnosis. I have had cats all my life and I never heard of cats having IC. I have heard of kidney stones, though, and what you describe sounds like stones. It's one of the worst tyoes of pain in the world.

I assume you've had x-rays and ultrasounds done on them. What did those show? Not all stones show up on x-ray, which is why CT is the diagnostic standard.

There are special foods formulated just for cats with kidney issues. Your vet should have those or know where to get them.

If you're dealing with this kind of issue, please don't wait when a cat has an attack. Isn't there an all-night emergency vet in your area? This kind of pain really isn't something you'd wish on your worst enemy.

[Sprockets]

Jen, I agree with you completely. I've had to have pets put down, and it was the responsible thing to do. It is irresponsible and selfish to allow them to continue to suffer when everything possible has been done for them and they are not going to get better. We just have to out our feelings aside, suck it up and do it.

Then we can cry for days if we need to. I had to be hauled out of the vet's office shrieking after the last one, but my feelings didn't matter until after I did my duty. It's been over a year and we both still miss him dreadfully, but it was my job to make sure he didn't suffer.

[jen74]

I am sorry you had to go through that sprokets. It is one of the hardest things to do. I have not gotten another dog yet and not sure if I ever will. I miss my Puddin so much still. It has been 34 weeks since he died. I still cry.The house is so lonely without him

Jen