Homeopathic Cat UTI Question

Okay, so yesterday just after noon Derry made a quarter-sized pee clump in one of the boxes upstairs, then a normal clump in the second box. But a short time later, when I was in the basement, he came down and made a tiny, dime-sized clump. UTI recurrence! Never mind my blood pressure and stress levels--through the roof, that should go without saying.

Then, around 7:30PM he made a normal clump downstairs (5cm x 5cm), no fuss. Whew, I thought. But 20 minutes later, he rushed upstairs into the newly-cleaned litter box and made another dime-sized clump, with a big meow. (As in ouch!)

Have I slept? No.

This morning, around 3:50AM (I got up just after 3AM because I was just lying there anyway), he did his business with no fuss or muss.

So (a) I'm not sure what's going on--seems like a UTI recurrence to me, though perhaps not acute at this stage, and (b) I'd like to try something homeopathic (besides Cosequin) that does not have to be administered into the mouth like a pill. (There's a product called UTI-Free that is granules you pop into the mouth. Yeah, like that would be stress-free for Derry. Or me.)

Any suggestions?

I'm going to call the vet clinic tomorrow AM and leave a message for the vet, but I know all they will want to do is put Derry on the human anti-depressant they mentioned to me initially. And other than the Cosquein, which I had done for a week or two then let go but am starting again, they won't have suggestions.

Derry and Nicki both get only 1/8 cup kibble a day each, the rest is canned with water added. There's no additional stress in the house, so no "logical" reason for another bout of cystitis. Presumably now that he's had it once, he's more prone to it?

Frankly, I feel ill with stress. I have no idea how those who have a large number of cats cope with all the health issues!

P.S. In every other way he seems fine, he's been very playful, zooming around the house with his "snake," wrestling with Nicki, "helping" with the Christmas tree, etc.
Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Comments

The Island Cats said…
I don't have any suggestions for remedies, but Ernie does this, too. One time he'll pee a normal amount; a little later, he'll pee just a little bit. Otherwise, he acts totally normal. I've mentioned this to the vet and she didn't seem concerned about it, that this just what he does.

I hope someone else has some remedy suggestions for you.
Old Kitty said…
Awww Derry, big hugs! What a worry for you, Kim. Oh dear.

My Your Cat mag mentioned this organisation under "holistic healing" - International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, IVAS" they also have herbal/homeopathic recommendations to work with traditional vet. I've looked at their site and under links - looks like there's an American one (no Canadian though). Not sure if this helps but it's perhaps worth looking for a vet with an IVAS qualification?

Also this maybe?
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/holistic-treatement-for-your-cats-bladder-infection.html

But I can't see ones that are not tablet based!

Good luck, Kim! I hope it's just a glitch with Derry as he sounds truly happy and having fun. Take care
x
Old Kitty said…
Hi me again! Just been browsing through my back copies of Your Cat mag and came across this question:

Q: Sweep keeps having bouts of cystitis. Is there anything I can give her homeopathy-wise to prevent it?

A: The homeopathic remedies Staphysagria or Cantharis are sometimes used. These would need to be prescribed by a homeopathic vet in order to have optimum efficacy as the vet will match the remedy to the symptoms.

Hope this helps! Take care
x
Katnip Lounge said…
Kim, I don't have any suggestions for you, I'm so sorry! Poor Derry, I hope he is just fine...when Grayce had problems she'd be in the box fifty times a day (truly!) so perhaps Derry is just exercizing his "options" of a fresh box, etc.
I'm telling you, it IS a circus to care for a large crowd.
Trish xx
a lot of the alternative information I have started from the yahoo group wholecathealth.

What you do will depend on what is causing the problem. Is it urine that has too high of a PH? is the bladder inflamed and spasmodic?

l-methionine is an amino acid that will bring the PH of the cat's urine down. crystals form in alkaline urine. You need to be careful when using it that you don't bring it down too low as too acidic urine causes it's own problems. I bought it for Jack and gave it every other day or so and now give it when we get a little treat happy (carbohydrates causes his urine to be alkaline)

Marshmallow root helps the bladder. as does cornsilk.

The people over at the yahoo group are on quite a bit, and have a great deal of knowledge and there are a LOT of posts on the subject so you can search the archives
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/WholeCatHealth/
Admiral Hestorb said…
Boy, my mom knows the stress that goes with one of us being sick. So she said she knows what you're going through. We wish we knew somethinf that could help but unfortunately we don't. I hope somekitty can help.
Kea said…
Well, he made a normal 5cm round clump at noon, no problem. But I did find a homeopathic remedy at a nearby pet supply store, FDA approved, in business since 1993, a lot of the same ingredients as the UTI-Free I saw on-line. I'm going to call the vet clinic tomorrow AM first thing, hopefully chat with one of the two vets who has dealt with Derry, see what she or he thinks. And I'll do the Cosequin for the time being, unless Derry shows further signs of something abnormal.

Thanks to all for the comments.

I'm skating awfully close to the edge of sanity--lol. In the top three to buy after payday: a bottle of good rye!
Cory said…
Raymond and Busby's mom suggested this when Cory was having her issues:

http://www.belfield.com/carpon.php

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm thinking about it.

With a crowd, you just always have to take a deep breath and do the best you can!
The Cat Guy said…
I don't have any answers for you, but I wanted you to know I feel your pain! Having kitties in distress or not even really knowing if they are in distress can be overwhelming! It sounds like you are doing everything you can do, so I hope you can take some comfort in that.
Ellen Whyte said…
We are so worried for you; and hope the rye helps you at least! We can't help but have you asked the Wildcat Woods? http://wildcatwoodscats.blogspot.com

They deal with a lot of sick kitties and may have some tips.

Purring for you both.
Cosequin might be worth a shot. Luna had a lot of problems with crystals, and it seemed to help her. Cosequin is intended more for joint problems, but the bladder has similar components and sometimes it seems to help.

Cosequin is available from a lot of places, including through vets, on-line and in some of the larger pet supply places.
Ikaika said…
Poor Derry! Do you have access to acupuncture/TCM for him? Our acupuncturist also treats animals and she recommends a TCM formula called Ba Zheng Pian for both humans and animals with UTIs. Hope he gets some relief soon. Purrs ...
Janet NZ said…
Oh thank GOD that I have inside/outside cats and therefore no CLUE who does what, where and how much.
Since Derry is still doing Derry things... I suggest you take a deep breath, have a DRINK and try to relax.
I know (I really do) that that is easier said than done... but Kim - you will make yourself crazy if you check every piddle.
This is the pot calling the kettle black - because I do just the same as you... but... just breathe hon... XXXOOO
wildcatwoods said…
Bless you for not wanting to bother me but I saw your question on CB and read the posts here. Old Kitty and and Connie had good remedy suggestions - and acupuncture may well work too. If you need a natural anti stress for Derry - I am using Composure by Vetri Science on Al for over aggressiveness and it is the only thing that has worked!!! I would be happy to send samples of anything for you to try before you buy. If you have time email me with exact symptoms and I have lots of homeopathic books that my vet uses and can try to match up the remedy with Derry. These can be dissolved in water and added to milk or liquid to give to him.