The Results are in...

breaness

Our poor little bug is going to have a rough road ahead of him for a few weeks. He's got both some sort of fecal parasite and lots and lots of struvite crystals. We're keeping him on prescription food for now and giving him the muscle relaxers and antibiotics until the crystals work themselves out. We've got 3 more doses of muscle relaxers and 6 more days of antibiotics. THEN we're going to start treating for the parasite since we don't want him on too many meds all at once.

My poor boy!

The vet wants him on the special food for 2 months and then we'll revisit with a new urine sample and hopefully we can start switching him back to a non-rx food. 

Poor kitty. I can't wait for him to get to being a normal, healthy boy! 

LuckyAngel07

Poor Sherlock!!

I'm glad you have a "plan of attack" now though. I really hope things go smoothly and he's feeling better soon.

Yipes! I wonder where in the world he got the parasite.

breaness

Well, he was at the shelter only for a month and he lived in a dumpster before that, so I'm wondering if it's at all possible that it was undetected or untreated from then? On the vet release form when we got him it said "No significant findings" which seemed a little vague to me. 

He's eaten at least one millipede that I know of but I can't imagine that would cause it. Either way, I got the ecosmart pesticide to work on that issue. 

Edit: He did have lots of parasites and other issues including fleas when they brought him into the shelter, so I wouldn't be surprised if this was just one thing that held over from then. 

jen812

Poor guy. I hope he's feeling better soon.

chi_lyn

Poor Sherlock. I'm glad you have answers and I hope he's feeling better soon.

ndolehan

So glad you know what is wrong and you have a treatment plan! He seems like the sweetest kitty!

In regards to the parasites, if they can come back if not treated long enough or with the right meds. If you follow your treatment plan everything should be a-ok!

Did the vet say how long it will be before he's back to "normal"? 

 

breaness

He'll be off meds in about 2 weeks. They want us to continue using the prescription food for 2 months but then we can switch to a regular food and just keep an eye on his hydration. So in theory it's not too far down the road. 

She wants us to keep bringing him in for urine tests over the next few months. It I can't really see us stressing him out by having urine extracted from his bladder when he's having no issues. We will see what we do when the time comes. I'm not crazy about that idea and a part of me thinks that it's the get trying to get more money by having us visit frequently. 

 I will be happy to drop off a fecal sample to make sure the parasite is gone though.  

 

 

kellbell1919

It sit uncommon for parasites in cats to survive at least one deworming.  You can get a free catch urine sample using these special plastic heads or even by filling the litterbox with something neutral like shredded paper towels or styrofoam packing peanuts.  That might help with not having to take him in.

breaness

kellbell1919:

It sit uncommon for parasites in cats to survive at least one deworming.  You can get a free catch urine sample using these special plastic heads or even by filling the litterbox with something neutral like shredded paper towels or styrofoam packing peanuts.  That might help with not having to take him in.

I like those options much more. He's pretty bummed about vets. He's such a cool calm and collected little guy but he was DONE with them yesterday and let everyone know by hissing and growling and making evil eyes.  

mainerocks

Poor Sherlock! Hope he is feeling better soon. I understand your concern about taking him in too much. Part of the cause of UTI stuff can be stress, so it's a tough balance! Get well soon Sherlock!