Bladder sludge woes

[lucifermp3]

Poor Cyrus (my bladder stone piggy) started urinating blood on Saturday morning. We got him into the vet that afternoon, they did radiographs, and thankfully there were no stones. There was a recurrence of sludge, though, and they think he’s likely got a UTI secondary to the trauma of urinating out sludge.

He’s taking the antibiotics like a champ, no dip in appetite or GI issues (plus I’m syringe feeding just to be safe), but does seem painful despite being on a substantial meloxicam dose for his weight. I’ve put in a message to his vet about adding in a second pain medication, but have not heard back yet.

I just hope he feels better soon! And that he doesn’t have to have another cystotomy!

 

[piggieminder]

Poor Cyrus, I hope he feels better very soon.

 

[lucifermp3]

Poor Cyrus, I hope he feels better very soon.

Thank you!

 

[Free Ranger]

George has a significant bladder stone, but also had a stubborn UTI. The UTI was certainly more painful for him than the stone is. In truth I'm not certain what came first. It's possible that Cyrus did develop sludge and then came down with an infection from the trauma, but it can also happen the other way round. The inflammation from an infection can cause painful pees, so they hold it in, or they drip bit by bit and this concentrates the urine. If they can't get a good flow going this will also increase his chances of sludge forming. You are certainly doing the right thing tackling the infection.

Usually we've had 5-7 days of ABs as a course but George had to have 3 weeks of Septrin to clear this last one (touch wood he's been OK for the last 6 days since we stopped) and I'm waiting with baited breath in case it comes back. Although I saw a distinct improvement within the first 48 hours the blood tainted pee didn't stop until about 5 days in. I hope Cyrus feels some relief soon x

 

[lucifermp3]

George has a significant bladder stone, but also had a stubborn UTI. The UTI was certainly more painful for him than the stone is. In truth I'm not certain what came first. It's possible that Cyrus did develop sludge and then came down with an infection from the trauma, but it can also happen the other way round. The inflammation from an infection can cause painful pees, so they hold it in, or they drip bit by bit and this concentrates the urine. If they can't get a good flow going this will also increase his chances of sludge forming. You are certainly doing the right thing tackling the infection.

Usually we've had 5-7 days of ABs as a course but George had to have 3 weeks of Septrin to clear this last one (touch wood he's been OK for the last 6 days since we stopped) and I'm waiting with baited breath in case it comes back. Although I saw a distinct improvement within the first 48 hours the blood tainted pee didn't stop until about 5 days in. I hope Cyrus feels some relief soon x

Thank you much for your detailed and kind response! Today is day 3 of antibiotics, and he’s still urinating bright red blood. The vet’s put him on 10 days of TMS.

I hope that George’s UTI is completely taken care of at this point & that he stays feeling good!

 

[Free Ranger]

Thanks, he seems clear at the minute. He'd had a standard 5 days of Baytril to start which didn't touch it. Then he had 10 days of Septrin (I think the same as TMS) which seemed to clear it eventually but it really affected his appetite and then the UTI came back a few days after finishing. So then it was back on the Septrin for 3 weeks and again he's been right off his food so it has been a battle of supplementing with syringe food combined with probiotics and poop soup from my girls. We were both happy to finish that course! You can't predict these things - I had a girl in the past on it for weeks and weeks with no effect on her guts at all so I hope Cyrus is a simpler case. Keep drinking Cyrus, to flush it all through.

Have you thought about a glucosamine supplement? George was already on 90mg as he had a one a day oxbow joint support cookie for arthritis but it is the same stuff that is good for helping battered bladders. It doesn't work overnight but if he's had problems before it might be worth considering - especially as it's not something you need a prescription for. I think it helps rebuild the bladder lining. And George likes the taste, which is handy.

 

[lucifermp3]

Thanks, he seems clear at the minute. He'd had a standard 5 days of Baytril to start which didn't touch it. Then he had 10 days of Septrin (I think the same as TMS) which seemed to clear it eventually but it really affected his appetite and then the UTI came back a few days after finishing. So then it was back on the Septrin for 3 weeks and again he's been right off his food so it has been a battle of supplementing with syringe food combined with probiotics and poop soup from my girls. We were both happy to finish that course! You can't predict these things - I had a girl in the past on it for weeks and weeks with no effect on her guts at all so I hope Cyrus is a simpler case. Keep drinking Cyrus, to flush it all through.

Have you thought about a glucosamine supplement? George was already on 90mg as he had a one a day oxbow joint support cookie for arthritis but it is the same stuff that is good for helping battered bladders. It doesn't work overnight but if he's had problems before it might be worth considering - especially as it's not something you need a prescription for. I think it helps rebuild the bladder lining. And George likes the taste, which is handy.

I hope it’s simple enough too— response to antibiotics really can be so variable!

He had a large stone which had to be removed around a year and a half ago via cystotomy (while he was with his previous owners), and has been on the urinary support oxbow treats since, so I think can definitely add in the joint one as well considering he loves the taste of just about any oxbow treat.