Other cat parents with FLUTD?

[GreenPartyVoter]

How often does your kitteh have symptoms? At what point do you make a trip to the vet?

I have a boy cat who periodically pees pink and has mucus, then he seems to get better for a while. Today he is having a bad day, peeing in a lot of things other than his box. I am wondering if this is more than regular FLUTD, or if it's the result of running out of food the other day and replacing it with a can of cheap tuna cat food, or because he is on a bit of a diet and it's making him anxious. (HE has a bit of an anxiety problem as well.)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. We're off to the vet whenever he shows any symptoms -

especially repeated trips to the litter box with no results. Vet said it can be a serious condition, and very painful for the cat. I don't want him to be in pain so he goes to the vet immediately when he shows any symptoms. Fortunately he hasn't had any problems with this for a couple of years, but I've been feeding him prescription cat food for FLUTD ever since his last episode.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. I think changing his cat food sounds like a good idea. Is the prescription stuff very

expensive?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. It's about what you'd pay for better-quality food at a pet shop.

Unfortunately, because I have three cats and it's almost impossible to keep them from eating each others' food, I end up buying the expensive stuff for all three of them. The vet prescribed Royal Canin Urinary SO, which comes in both wet and dry versions. I don't really like the dry stuff because it has corn in it, but I get it now and then because the cats like it. The vet also suggested Wysong Uretic, which doesn't require a prescription, and the cats like that pretty well, too.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Thanks, that is good to know. Surely the food is

cheaper than vet appointments, right?

Our vet also recommended more play time and indoor plants that he can nibble on. Did yours say anything similar?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. The vet was more concerned that he had plenty of water to drink.

Water is really important when a cat has this problem. So I bought a cat fountain.

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. I bet he would love a cat fountain!

[yellerpup]

4. Tuna has been a trigger for two of my boys in the past.

Anxiety does it too. Being in pain causes anxiety. If he's peeing pink, go have him checked.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. He just peed beet red on the hall carpet. I am trying to talk hubby into taking him to the emergency

vet first thing in the morning. (He's not home right now and I don't drive.)

Poor baby! He hates car rides. This will not help his anxiety at all.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. If at all possible, don't wait until morning! Can you get a ride from someone else?

After the vet visit, please let us know how he is, poor kitty!

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. I will see if we can do it somehow. Will definitely let you know!

[Curmudgeoness]

11. OMG, I would be panicked.

It is obvious that there is a serious problem. I hope you can get him to the emergency vet as soon as possible.

Good luck.

[yellerpup]

12. Beet red means "out of time."

He won't mind the car ride since he's so sick, and he won't mind at all on the way home because he won't be in pain. Good luck!