Hello all,

I have a 6 month old female kitten who spent a week in a cattery at the beginning of sept. When we got home she was vomiting and would not eat or drinkg (if she did she was sick), we took her to the vet and she was kept in for two days, given a tummy xray (nothing came up), was rehydrated and given anti-biotics. She came home and was fine for a week or so. I then noticed ber pee was red in colour, though she didn't seem in any pain and was using her litter tray and eating and drinking. Took her to the vet and he tested urine (with a stick) and said PH was high, blood and protein were present. She was given antibiotics for a week. After a few days of taking them her pee seemed to return to normal and then went back to red once the tablets were done. I took another sample to the vet and he gave more antibiotics and examined the urine under the microscope, said there were no crystals nor infection present and that it was probably stress related cystitis and to get fellaway plug in as she could be stressed from cattery & illness etc. He also examined her and said her bladder etc felt fine, no tenderness at all/ She was due to be spayed last Friday so he said to go ahead with it, which I did. I picked her up and she was fine, in fact very lively and not at all sleepy like I expected. However her pee is now bright red again and I am really concerned there is something serious going on. She seems fine, very playful, eating and drinking no problem, she uses her litter tray and does not stuggle to urinate. The vet has asked me to take her back on Weds so they can observe her and do some more analysis on her urine and also maybe give her an ultrasound so they can see everything is working as it should.
Has anybody else had anything like this? I know I have to take her to the vet but I feel like I could be stressing her out more by doing this. Also I have read that an all wet diet is better for cats, she has half sachets of whiskas topped up with dry purina kitten food.
Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated, my apologies for the long rambling post.

Thanks

It does sound as though the stress of the op has sparked off another bout of cystitis.

I would ask your vet about Zylkene, its a natural product (just sprinkled on food) that can help cats relax more, use it along with the Feliway. Maybe also ask about Cystaid, it sooths the linining of the bladder and it may help if she's going to be prone to cystitis. Both products can be brought online much cheaper than your vets though.

Wet food is better, but should be high meat content and no cereals/grains/veggies, avoid dry. You might try a water fountain too, to encourage more drinking.

Thanks for the reply Amber Cat. I am going to ask about diet definitely, if I have to get her a prescription diet I will. The vet initially said cystitis but he's now not so sure as that is generally small amounts of urine and going often, where as she is going a normal number of times and also produces quite a lot at a time. I'm just so worried that it is something more sinister but I guess all I can do is take her to the vet to be analysed, I don't have any choice as it's clearly not right.
She's just been through quite a lot and I don't want to stress her out anymore, I couldn't bear it if anything happenned to her

Thanks

I got home last night and checked the litter box, it seems that her urine is now normal colour, I also watched her go last night and it was normal too. So I am now leaning towards a change in her diet (I only gave her wet food yesterday mixed with water), I am going to see how she is today and then decide whether to cancel or keep tomorrows appt at the vet. She has an appt on Monday to have stitches removed anyway, but I think I will see how it goes over the next few days. Obviously if I see blood again I will take her straight in.
I want to make sure I get her good quality wet food though, anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

Glad to hear she's getting back to normal.

Some good wet foods include Hi LIfe Real Meat Pouches, Natures Menu, Applaws (applaws isnt complete so shouldnt be the main part of the diet) - they are all available from independent pet shops, and PAH. Encore (which is exactly the same as Applaws) is available in Sainsbury's (other supermarkets too I'm sure) Bozita is pretty good too - I've only seen this at cat shows or you can get it online at zooplus Bozita Moist Cat Food: great bargains at zooplus

Don't forget to make any dietary changovers slowly, to avoid tummy upsets.

Hi-life. Natures Menu, Nature, Applaws, Tesco Finest. Anything that is 50% meat or more. All of thses are available at Pets@home and they can deliver if bought on line.

It does seem that she will be better off on a wet diet. Have you considered raw?

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Thanks for the advice guys. I am pleased to say all was normal last night and this morning, so I spoke to the vet and he agreed that I should keep her on wet food mixed with a little water and monitor her over the next few days. He thinks it may have just been the stress of being in there last week for the op and that hopefully it should be the end of it, but if I notice it again to bring her in for urine analysis.
I am going to look in Pets at Home as I have one close to me and see what options they have on wet food. The vet recommended putting her on adult food now as she's just turned seven months old.
I am very pleased she is seems to be getting back to normal and am keeping my fingers crossed she stays that way


Thanks again!