I’ve decided to cancel the caption contest for this week and give you a little update on Beau’s health since his Double Cystotomy & PU Surgery. I’ll admit the first week it was really difficult for us, especially because we didn’t know it Beau would get blocked again (and we still don’t know.) Unfortunately, these surgeries don’t guarantee that you are going to be 100% in the clear, but they do make it a lot less likely to happen.
Beau’s energy is higher than ever, he’s urinating more than we have ever seen before, but at the same time, he’s now very sensitive when you hold him or try to rub his belly.
Beau always loved his belly rubbed, but ever since the surgery, he’s very picky about when he’ll let us give him belly rubs or if he’ll let us give him rubs at all. He also yelps when we pick him up sometimes, so we have to be a lot more gentle with him or leave him alone if he’s feeling a bit off. I’m not sure if this is going to go away over time since it feels like the internal swelling has completely gone down, but I’m happy that at least it’s this and no other pain.
Beau hasn’t shown other signs of discomfort. He’s back to being a snuggly goofball and we haven’t seen any complications so far. For a while, he was still peeing outside of the litter box (he didn’t realise he was still peeing and would walk away while the stream was still coming out at full speed), but he seems to have gotten a hang on it as we haven’t found any puddles in weeks.
I can’t say this is true for all cats who get PU Surgeries, but I think Beau’s was very successful. I’m really grateful that we got it done for him, and hope to never have to go through the scare again (with him or any other kitties.) For those of you who are debating whether or not to get the surgery done (obviously only if it’s recommended by your vet), I recommend you do. We struggled with Beau on and off for two years, and sometimes things don’t clear up. Unfortunately, in our circumstance, we found out Beau had a small than usual urethra, so the vets told us that he was going to get blocked no matter what. I’m just glad it happened when he was younger and could recover, versus when he was older.
As for post care, there really isn’t much we have to do luckily. We’re still giving Beau a Cosequin tablet every other day, and we’re making sure there’s extra water in his food! Looks like everything is going well so far! No UTIs or relapses in sight!
So here’s to Beau and a very successful operation. Thank you, everyone, for your support over the past year and a bit. We really appreciate it.
Vanessa Tolentino says
April 18, 2018 at 11:34 pmHi there! My baby Moritz went in for PU surgery just this morning. I’ve been a huge mess for the past few days but your detailed accounts of Beau’s recovery have worked to calm a lot of my nerves. Actually, Beau reminds me a lot of my own cat and seeing the pictures of him made me miss my boy even more. They kind of look the same too! ( I’d attach photos if I were able to! ) Not only that, but the doctor who did Mortiz’s surgery also concluded that he had a narrower than usual urethra, which was why he became blocked for a second time. Funnily enough, I believe we also live in the same city! The world really is a small place. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for the informative posts and to send well wishes to you and your entire household!
Johnny Salib says
April 19, 2018 at 12:55 amHey Vanessa, I’m so glad my accounts helped calm your nerves. It was definitely life-shattering for us when we went through the two days of Beau getting blocked over and over again. I’d love to see photos of your cat! You’re always more than welcome to send me pictures through twitter 🙂
That’s super cool that we’re in the same city! I love Toronto readers and it seems more and more are finding this blog over time. Who knows, we may even have mutual friend!
All the best, and feel free to give me updates on Moritz’s recovery. Hopefully your vets are as great as mine, I’m really grateful for all they did for me.
Vanessa Tolentino says
April 20, 2018 at 10:33 pmThanks for your reply! Moritz is home now and it almost seems as if he never went in for surgery at all! He completely ignored the set up I made for him and went straight for the bed, which I can’t complain about, and he’s been eating and drinking as well.
I was wondering if perhaps we go to the same vet? Or maybe this is a wild coincidence but at the end of Moritz’s discharge information it says, “Thank you for entrusting us with Beau’s care.” How crazy would that be?
Johnny Salib says
April 20, 2018 at 10:55 pmNo problem at all 🙂 and glad to hear he’s doing well! Don’t be surprised if he acts a bit less active tomorrow. Beau acted pretty fine the first day, but declined the second day since his morphine was out of his system. I have no doubt that Mortiz is going to recover to 100% though!
It would be absolutely crazy if we do go to the same vet, but I wouldn’t be surprised! Feel free to e-mail me what vet you went to! 🙂
Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs says
March 24, 2018 at 11:17 pmI am glad that Beau is doing so much better now that he’s had that surgery. It does seem pretty drastic, but if it is the solution, then by all means. I hope he stays well.
Johnny Salib says
March 25, 2018 at 11:25 amAbsolutely. It’s a pretty scary process to go through and we went through a lot of debate whether or not it was the right choice, but now that he’s doing a lot better we know it was!
Peaches and Paprika says
March 6, 2018 at 8:59 amWishing for you continued improvement and no more problems!
Johnny Salib says
March 6, 2018 at 7:26 pmThank you Peaches & Paprika <3
John Bellen says
March 5, 2018 at 11:31 pmMy Tucker had the same surgery. He became blocked one Sunday and I had to rush him to the veterinary. They cleared him and he came home, only to block again – and again while he was still at the hospital. The PU surgery was recommended as the only solution at this point. Tucker’s recovery was very good. Since then, he has had no problem with urination. The doctors told me that the likelihood of being blocked again is almost nil. Naturally, there is a chance, but it is minimal. He did start wetting outside the litter-box a year or so later, but he was diagnosed with diabetes. Since he has been on insulin, he has had excellent litter-box habits. He is a healthy and purry fellow, and I hope the same for Beau.
Johnny Salib says
March 6, 2018 at 7:29 pmThank you, John, for your comment it really means a lot. I’m glad to hear that Tucker has been doing well. Curious though about how old he was when he got diabetes? I’ve been a bit worried since Beau is on all wet food now if there’s going to be a higher chance of that.
Crystal and Daisy Mae says
March 5, 2018 at 5:21 pmPoor Beau, Daisy Mae and I wish him well and hope he gets well soon. You’ll be in our thoughts and prayers. Purrs to you. I nominated you for the brotherhood of the world award on http://daisymae2017.wordpress.com
Congrats.
Johnny Salib says
March 5, 2018 at 10:34 pmThanks Crystal <33
Eastside Cats says
March 5, 2018 at 4:11 pmBeau is such a cutie, and it’s good to hear that he’s almost back to normal, and that his energy level is up! Good advice about the surgery; sometimes ‘wait and see’ just isn’t the best way, even if it’s the most conservative way.
Johnny Salib says
March 5, 2018 at 10:33 pmYeah, I don’t think wait and see was gonna do us any good this time around. I’m so glad we had it done!
caren gittleman says
March 5, 2018 at 1:25 pmPoor Beau and poor YOU! So glad he is doing much better!! My first kitty had to eat Science Diet and never got used to it so you are lucky!
Johnny Salib says
March 5, 2018 at 3:04 pmThat sucks that your kitty never got used to SD. I do feel very lucky that he’s eating it now and is so much better since the surgery. I couldn’t imagine life without the bugger <3
Ellen Pilch says
March 4, 2018 at 9:31 pmI am glad that Beau is doing so well. Does he have to eat a special food ?
Johnny Salib says
March 5, 2018 at 10:31 amYes he does, he’s been eating Science Diet C/D wet food. Took a while to get him interested, but he’s there now 🙂
The Island Cats says
March 4, 2018 at 4:53 pmWe’re glad Beau is doing so well. I have a friend whose cat had the same surgery and he did really well with it too. ~Island Cat mom
Johnny Salib says
March 4, 2018 at 7:59 pmSo glad to hear your friend’s cat is doing well after the surgery!!
Mickey's Musings says
March 4, 2018 at 2:00 pmWe are sorry to hear about Beau’s problem but very happy that he is now doing better after surgery.
He is lucky to have you.
We purr that in time he will love getting belly rubs again.
Our Julie loves them too.
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
Johnny Salib says
March 4, 2018 at 7:59 pmHoping he likes them again soon! We miss giving them to him <3
The Swiss Cats says
March 4, 2018 at 12:40 pmYay ! We’re glad to read such good news ! Purrs
Johnny Salib says
March 4, 2018 at 1:51 pm<3!