#flutd

Don't panic, but I think there is a HUMONGOUS rat in my dresser... and it keeps staring at me

Varys is going to be eleven this year, and he's still as loud and demanding as ever; he isn't yawning or hissing in this pic, this is just how he looks when he's "talking." Yes, he is missing his upper incisors; the photo is unedited.

Varys is a life-long resident of ACS because he has a few health and behavioral concerns that will require lifelong care. He is prone to urinary issues and requires a special diet to minimize the chances of a blockage, which can be fatal in cats. He actually was surrendered needing emergency care for an active blockage, which was a repeated issue, so he had a surgery called a perineal urethrostomy to reduce the chance of reoccurrence. We monitor his urine output and water intake carefully, and feed an entirely wet diet to maximize hydration, which is an important preventative measure.

for those who aren't aware, the condition he had was most easily triggered by stress. and as much as i would have done things differently now, he was a covid cat, so he was very very attached to me. his condition had a tendancy to get worse if i wasn't around.

i declined invites to things, cancelled things if he flared up too close to the event, sat close by all day to monitor him when he was flaring up, gave him his medication even when he spat it out and was mad at me for it.

it's one thing to lose my little guy. it's another thing to not have a purpose anymore on top of that. i don't know if this makes sense but i have seen some other people with sick/medically needy animals say similar things. i will be okay but for the time being i feel like i have to re-learn how to spend my days.

So please, even if it is to just reblog and boost this, it would be appreciated.

PayPal: paypal.me/allybenn

Alrighty, so I tried something a little different for this video, putting it somewhere between a case study and an explanation of the pathology and treatment. I think it makes it more interesting, even though it makes it a longer video. Tell me what you think of the format.

There’s also some procedure footage in there, but it is very tame and not at all gory, considering the topic.

Let's talk about cat pee!

Actually, let's specifically talk about why monitoring your cat's urine output is important.

This kitty is Bahbo, an ACS alumni rescued from Bibb County Pound, and my queerplatonic partner's cat. Bahbo just got done with several days of hospitalization for a urinary blockage after a UTI escalated by the next day (despite a vet visit/ treatment) to being fully blocked. A urinary blockage in cats is a medical emergency that can result in death in less than twelve hours. Thankfully, he was able to come home last night, but still needs very close monitoring in the weeks to come.

Two of the most commonplace health problems in cats are lower urinary tract disease, and kidney disease. Lower urinary tract issues may be from an acute bacterial infection, but often, the issue is urinary crystals that cause bladder irritation, UTIs, bladder stones, and in male cats especially, urethral blockages.

Crystalluria in cats is most frequently seen in the form of struvite crystals (formed primarily from ammonium, magnesium, and phosphorous), or oxalate crystals (formed by calcium oxalate), with the former being more commonplace. In both instances, there are several lifestyle factors that can affect the likeliness of crystal formation: water intake, diet, and stress.

Cats were domesticated from a desert species, and are hardwired to anticipate food as the primary source of moisture. Many are consequently disinclined to drink the appropriate volume of water needed to keep their urine adequately diluted, and if they are fed an entirely dry food diet (kibble), there is minimal moisture coming from their food. Increasing moisture in the diet by rehydrating kibble, adding extra water to canned food, or feeding a balanced raw diet (consulting with a veterinary nutritionist is highly advised for home made diets) can help ensure cats get enough water from their diet. Adding a running water source like a fountain, offering water in a stainless steel bowl (easiest to keep santized, but glass or ceramic is okay - plastic is discouraged), and of course providing clean, fresh water daily can also encourage healthier drinking habits. Filtering water, especially if you live somewhere with high calcium levels in the water, is also a good idea where oxalates are concerned.

The nutritional qualities of the food being fed are also important, especially in the case of struvites. Cats whose urinalysis shows struvites benefit from a diet with controlled levels of phosphorous and magnesium. There are veterinary diets (I am not here to debate the industry; have that discussion with your vet) that meet these parameters and may have additives to moderate urine pH. There are also pet foods with similar nutrient profiles available over the counter. Always discuss diet options with your vet or a veterinary nutritionist if a specialized diet is suggested for known urinary problems.

One consideration that is less obvious for cat urinary health is their stress level. Cats who are stressed tend to drink less water, suffer more digestive upset (which can contribute to dehydration via vomiting and diarrhea), may overgroom and irritate the urogenital area, and tend to have weaker immune systems. Cats who are under-enriched, in a chaotic environment, harassed by other animals or young children, or experiencing significant changes in their day to day routine are at greater risk for urinary complications.

Chronic lower urinary disease or infections, poor diet, and dehydration can all contribute to kidney disease, which is one of the most common illnesses in cats. Elderly cats are the most susceptible, but a blockage can cause an acute renal crisis as well, even in young and otherwise healthy animals. Feline kidneys are exceptionally vulnerable and highly implicated in chronic illness and death, so being proactive about your cat's urinary health even if there is no known issue can help prevent kidney issues down the line.

So how can you tell if your cat has lower urinary issues? Afflicted cats may soil outside of the litter box, urinate small volumes frequently, dribble urine, have blood in their urine, produce strong smelling urine, overgroom their urogenital area, experience abdominal tenderness, and strain without producing urine. As their condition worsens, they may stop eating, act listless, or become hostile or avoidant. If you notice any change in your kitty's urinary habits, CALL YOUR VET. Time is of the essence!

He's a 1½ year old male rescue cat who we adopted in March 2025.

Wobbles was stolen in June and returned to us in September through a court ordered warrant.

I'm moving away from traditional social media platforms as the person who took him is stalking us.

I would like to share his life and his progress.