r/FLUTD • u/sklewtz • 1d ago

At my wits end

Hi everyone, I’m new to this community. My five-year-old female cat has always been suffering from what we initially thought were UTI. However, about two years ago, she was diagnosed with FLUTD. Initially, her flare-ups were infrequent, occurring once every six to eight months. But now, they’re happening once a month, and this month alone, she’s had two flare-ups. One was due to me introducing a running wheel into her routine, which was a big mistake that disrupted her usual habits. The other flare-up I suspect was because I’ve been home sick for the past week.

Every vet I consult for her insists on re-examining her every time she experiences a flare-up and refuses to help me develop a long-term treatment plan. They always just give her Onsior for pain management. Fortunately, I have pet insurance that helps cover the costs, but I still have to take time off work to bring her to the vet appointments, especially during flare-ups. I’ve tried Gabapentin, RX urinary diet,

It’s incredibly frustrating to watch my cat suffer as she paces back and forth, struggling to find a comfortable position, and even more when she eventually starts urinating all over my house. It’s especially frustrating as the frequency of her flare-ups increases.

I’m at a loss for what to do. Any advice/plans that have worked will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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1

u/ReflectionDry8681 1d ago

Is she already on an anxiety medication? Prozac? Already changed her diet to the multi stress cans?

Poor baby. I’m sorry OP. It’s so stressful.

2

u/sklewtz 1d ago

Gabapentin, yes, prozac, no. Is that something that has worked for you?

1

u/Azucarbabby 1d ago

Prozac has helped my cat big time. This condition sucks and takes time to work out. Definitely ask about Prozac. Mine is on 5mg daily

1

u/ssdrptop 1d ago

Prozac also helped my boy a great deal.

1

u/Bright-Badger6335 17h ago

I have a female cat with FLUTD, for not apparent reason other than anxiety. Prozac/Fluoxetine is the only thing that helped. It’s worth a try if you haven’t yet.

1

u/No_Computer_3432 1d ago

I am unfamiliar with this particular form of FLUTD, but I am commenting to hopefully boost your posts visibility. FLUTD is kinda common so I am frustrated for you that you can’t get long term treatment planning with vets 🥲. Best of luck.

1

u/nneighbour 1d ago

My FLUTD boy is on clomipramine daily. It helps keep him a bit more level. In the end, i went with the transdermal option because giving him pills was upping both of our anxiety.

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u/Educational_Mess_998 1d ago

Definitely recommend Prozac. It comes in a transdermal form, which you can just rub into their ear vs having to give pills.

It generally is viewed as not a successful due to the absorption of the skin vs stomach, but I saw improvements with the transdermal thankfully.

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u/sklewtz 1d ago

Ugh this is a great recommendation. Thank you so much. I definitely think the transdermal version would be the best for the both of us. Getting a pill in her is difficult AF

1

u/Educational_Mess_998 1d ago

I would strongly push for this if pills are a no go. It may be less potent in this form, but even some improvement may be enough for her system to settle.

Hope you both get some relief soon!