tootseug
November 16th, 2005, 03:58 PM
Hello
I'm new to the board. I have 2 cats, one with some health issues.
A few months ago, I took my 14 yr. old Vanilla (male, neutered) in to vet as he was peeing on rug and repeatedly next to my shoes. I suspected he might have urinary tract infection, and that he did. He did not like the sulfa med he was perscribed and gave me a hard time about it. However, most times, I could get him to keep it down. Then, during the next 2 weeks, he took off and didn't come home. When I finally got him 3 days later, he was clearly very dehydrated and very sick appearing. I suspected that he was in renal failure, which was an accurate diagnosis. He then spent 6 days in Vet Hospital on IV's and antibiotics. His creatinine had gone up to 4.3, but was now down, and vet said, "no evidence of renal failure" at time of discharge, and that I should do repeat of chem screen in 6 months. (I did do repeat of ua and culture 1-2 weeks post antibiotics for urinary tract infection, which came out great.)
During the initial visit for urinary problems Vet found he had gum disease and needed at least one tooth pulled. She highly suggested I take care of this, however the renal issue of course took priority. She suggested Science Diet for Mature Cats as cats can practically swallow the small pellets whole, Iams dry diet is likely painful due to teeth problems, thus SD would be better. Well he started vomiting frequently after starting the food. And he would go through ALOT of the Sci. Diet. I then saw that he had tapeworms, so I got treatment for that.
Current situation: He is back on his Iams, as it IS causing less vomiting. However, he still does continue to vomit every one or two days. I think he's getting enough water, however, one can never know I guess. He doesn't seem to drink as much as he used to before I took him in to vet the first time.
My question. Could his tooth/gum issue be causing the vomiting? I am wondering if he is trying to tell me something about his mouth hurting, by vomiting? He communicated to me well about the urinary tract issue, maybe this is the same sort of thing?? If it is not, and it is irritable bowel or something else, I'm just not sure how much I should do. He is nearly 15 yr. old. He has bad knees, but gets around ok. I don't think they cause him too much problem. However, if he's got that, plus bowel probs, or something else going on, plus dentition issues.....
Also, if you have your elderly cats teeth cleaned, how often after that do they need teeth cleaning?
Thanks so much. Sorry for the long post.
I'm new to the board. I have 2 cats, one with some health issues.
A few months ago, I took my 14 yr. old Vanilla (male, neutered) in to vet as he was peeing on rug and repeatedly next to my shoes. I suspected he might have urinary tract infection, and that he did. He did not like the sulfa med he was perscribed and gave me a hard time about it. However, most times, I could get him to keep it down. Then, during the next 2 weeks, he took off and didn't come home. When I finally got him 3 days later, he was clearly very dehydrated and very sick appearing. I suspected that he was in renal failure, which was an accurate diagnosis. He then spent 6 days in Vet Hospital on IV's and antibiotics. His creatinine had gone up to 4.3, but was now down, and vet said, "no evidence of renal failure" at time of discharge, and that I should do repeat of chem screen in 6 months. (I did do repeat of ua and culture 1-2 weeks post antibiotics for urinary tract infection, which came out great.)
During the initial visit for urinary problems Vet found he had gum disease and needed at least one tooth pulled. She highly suggested I take care of this, however the renal issue of course took priority. She suggested Science Diet for Mature Cats as cats can practically swallow the small pellets whole, Iams dry diet is likely painful due to teeth problems, thus SD would be better. Well he started vomiting frequently after starting the food. And he would go through ALOT of the Sci. Diet. I then saw that he had tapeworms, so I got treatment for that.
Current situation: He is back on his Iams, as it IS causing less vomiting. However, he still does continue to vomit every one or two days. I think he's getting enough water, however, one can never know I guess. He doesn't seem to drink as much as he used to before I took him in to vet the first time.
My question. Could his tooth/gum issue be causing the vomiting? I am wondering if he is trying to tell me something about his mouth hurting, by vomiting? He communicated to me well about the urinary tract issue, maybe this is the same sort of thing?? If it is not, and it is irritable bowel or something else, I'm just not sure how much I should do. He is nearly 15 yr. old. He has bad knees, but gets around ok. I don't think they cause him too much problem. However, if he's got that, plus bowel probs, or something else going on, plus dentition issues.....
Also, if you have your elderly cats teeth cleaned, how often after that do they need teeth cleaning?
Thanks so much. Sorry for the long post.