Diabetic cat with recurring UTIs

This is very long but I'm having problems with a cat and you guys are
my last hope.

Missy is 9 years old spayed calico, around 15 lbs. She has been with
me since 2001, when a friend, who had adopted her from a shelter,
became allergic to her. She came to me fully declawed. She is my only
cat right now.

She used the litter box when we first got her, but after awhile she
started "missing" it and then just started peeing on the floor
wherever she wanted. At first I thought it was a behavioral problem,
but now I think it is a health issue.

She had her first urinary tract infection in April 2005. At first she
was treated with Clavamox. Although she wasn't blind when we first
got her, the vet confirmed at that time that she had gone blind.

She barely finishes a course of treatment before she has blood in her
urine again.

She was diagnosed with diabetes in February 2006. After many
unsuccessful glucose curves at the vet, I started giving her 2 units
once a day, which seems to work pretty well. I am starting home
glucose monitoring this week. A random test when I first bought the
meter was 114, a pretty good number. Her water intake is about 4 oz.
in 12 hours, which I understand is normal. In July 2006 her fructose
and thyroid levels were tested and were normal.

In August I started feeding her canned Fancy Feast twice a day (chicken
only). I took her to the vet and asked for a complete review of her
chart. The vet said she did not know what was wrong with her and that
she could only recommend B-12 shots and referral to specialists.

We have to keep her confined to one room because of the peeing problem.
She now both pees and poops in her bed and sits in it. The vet said
she probably has diabetic neuopathy, and at the vet's suggestion I
started giving her 350 mg of Carnitine twice a day.

She doesn't seem to have a great quality of life, but she has a
healthy appetite and loves to be petted. In the last few days her
urine has begun to smell really bad again and I fear she has another
UTI. I'm about at my wits end with her. Does anyone have any
suggestions on what's wrong with her and how I can help her? Thank
you so much!

Mary have you gone to another vet second opinions never hurt

"Mary" wrote in message
oups.com...
This is very long but I'm having problems with a cat and you guys are
my last hope.

Missy is 9 years old spayed calico, around 15 lbs. She has been with
me since 2001, when a friend, who had adopted her from a shelter,
became allergic to her. She came to me fully declawed. She is my only
cat right now.

She used the litter box when we first got her, but after awhile she
started "missing" it and then just started peeing on the floor
wherever she wanted. At first I thought it was a behavioral problem,
but now I think it is a health issue.

She had her first urinary tract infection in April 2005. At first she
was treated with Clavamox. Although she wasn't blind when we first
got her, the vet confirmed at that time that she had gone blind.

She barely finishes a course of treatment before she has blood in her
urine again.

She was diagnosed with diabetes in February 2006. After many
unsuccessful glucose curves at the vet, I started giving her 2 units
once a day, which seems to work pretty well. I am starting home
glucose monitoring this week. A random test when I first bought the
meter was 114, a pretty good number. Her water intake is about 4 oz.
in 12 hours, which I understand is normal. In July 2006 her fructose
and thyroid levels were tested and were normal.

In August I started feeding her canned Fancy Feast twice a day (chicken
only). I took her to the vet and asked for a complete review of her
chart. The vet said she did not know what was wrong with her and that
she could only recommend B-12 shots and referral to specialists.

We have to keep her confined to one room because of the peeing problem.
She now both pees and poops in her bed and sits in it. The vet said
she probably has diabetic neuopathy, and at the vet's suggestion I
started giving her 350 mg of Carnitine twice a day.

She doesn't seem to have a great quality of life, but she has a
healthy appetite and loves to be petted. In the last few days her
urine has begun to smell really bad again and I fear she has another
UTI. I'm about at my wits end with her. Does anyone have any
suggestions on what's wrong with her and how I can help her? Thank
you so much!

I think I would have the cat evaluated by a specialist as your vet has
suggested.

Sue

"Mary" wrote in message
oups.com...
This is very long but I'm having problems with a cat and you guys are
my last hope.

Missy is 9 years old spayed calico, around 15 lbs. She has been with
me since 2001, when a friend, who had adopted her from a shelter,
became allergic to her. She came to me fully declawed. She is my only
cat right now.

She used the litter box when we first got her, but after awhile she
started "missing" it and then just started peeing on the floor
wherever she wanted. At first I thought it was a behavioral problem,
but now I think it is a health issue.

She had her first urinary tract infection in April 2005. At first she
was treated with Clavamox. Although she wasn't blind when we first
got her, the vet confirmed at that time that she had gone blind.

She barely finishes a course of treatment before she has blood in her
urine again.

She was diagnosed with diabetes in February 2006. After many
unsuccessful glucose curves at the vet, I started giving her 2 units
once a day, which seems to work pretty well. I am starting home
glucose monitoring this week. A random test when I first bought the
meter was 114, a pretty good number. Her water intake is about 4 oz.
in 12 hours, which I understand is normal. In July 2006 her fructose
and thyroid levels were tested and were normal.

In August I started feeding her canned Fancy Feast twice a day (chicken
only). I took her to the vet and asked for a complete review of her
chart. The vet said she did not know what was wrong with her and that
she could only recommend B-12 shots and referral to specialists.

We have to keep her confined to one room because of the peeing problem.
She now both pees and poops in her bed and sits in it. The vet said
she probably has diabetic neuopathy, and at the vet's suggestion I
started giving her 350 mg of Carnitine twice a day.

She doesn't seem to have a great quality of life, but she has a
healthy appetite and loves to be petted. In the last few days her
urine has begun to smell really bad again and I fear she has another
UTI. I'm about at my wits end with her. Does anyone have any
suggestions on what's wrong with her and how I can help her? Thank
you so much!

Aww, poor girl, and she's really quite young to be dealing with this. I
think a second opinion elsewhere is a great idea. Make sure to get
copies of all her records so you aren't paying for test she's already
had.

Also, it would be a good idea to start her on a high-quality canned
diet, something like Wellness or Innova, to improve her overall health.
One of my previous vets used to call Fancy Feast "McDonalds for
cats"--tasted great, but no nutrition.

Wish I could help more. . .sending purrs from my household. .

"Rene S." wrote in message
oups.com...
Aww, poor girl, and she's really quite young to be dealing with this. I
think a second opinion elsewhere is a great idea. Make sure to get
copies of all her records so you aren't paying for test she's already
had.

Also, it would be a good idea to start her on a high-quality canned
diet, something like Wellness or Innova, to improve her overall health.
One of my previous vets used to call Fancy Feast "McDonalds for
cats"--tasted great, but no nutrition.

Wish I could help more. . .sending purrs from my household. .


That is a scary thought fancy feast is the only diet keeping Rumble in his
proper blood sugar level