bladder stones-need surgery, my poor little guy

[carlyhippy]

I have a 5 year old neutered Maine Coon. We took xrays at the vet and found stones in his bladder. They are scheduling surgery 2 weeks from now (they want to get his bladder infection under control beforehand). Has anyone had this coloscopy/exploratory surgery done on their cat? It sounds so major, I am afraid for my baby. If your cat has had this done, how was incision, healing, did it work?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Many years ago my big fluffy orange cat Charles had surgery

which involved some serious interference with his, er, manhood (we called it a peckerectomy) to deal with what was then called feline urinary syndrome. He was none the worse for the wear after this adjustment to his personal area (he wasn't using it anyhow), and he never had problems with bladder stones after that -- and he lived to be 21. This was in the late '70s, and I assume they have even better surgical techniques for this now. I'm sure your kitty will be fine.

[spooky3]

2. is this the same as a struvite crystal problem?

If so, my dear boy had the same surgery that The Velveteen Ocelot described, and he did very well. We needed additional pain killers beyond those given routinely, because he continued to try to comfort the area of the surgery, so I knew he was in pain. Do not hesitate to ask for these immediately if you need them; the doc. will give them to you. My sister-in-law also got him a very distracting toy that helped him through the difficult first few days.

Years later he succumbed to an entirely different problem (cancer), but he never again had a problem with this crystals.

[carlyhippy]

3. I am glad to hear that both your cats didn't have anymore problems with crystals afterward

the poor fella, he has had recurrent bladder infections for so long, he takes antibiotics and is well for a short while, then boom it's back again. I hope all goes well with him, he is such a good cat and friend.

[japple]

4. Hope everything goes well for your cat, carly. Keep us

posted.

[carlyhippy]

5. thank you, 1 more week left until he goes in

antibiotics seem to be working well, no more blood, which is great :)
he still seems a little sluggish, not sure if he is not feeling well or he is just hot or a little of both, I am doing my best to keep him comfy.

[badgerpup]

6. My old Alpha cat Misha (aka 'the Boss)...

...had a bladder infection when he was less than a year old.

Sainted Vet said if he was getting them this young, then it would probably be an issue for him when he was older. "What are you feeding him?"
Told him, and he said that was a great deal of the problem.

Switched to the brand I'm using now (Diamond Active Cat...no corn, soy, or wheat) and Misha lived to fourteen and never had any more trouble with his bladder or any other of his internal workings.

He wasn't a purebred though...a mixture with LOTS of Oriental in his background...high-strung, intelligent, very opinionated and extremely vocal.
Don't know if his genetic makeup had much to do with it or not.

Best of good luck with your boy's surgery!
:hug: and scritches where they'll do the most good...