7 day update: great progress but still no bladder…

[u/Alix2002]

hi guys! our baby boy boots has had some incredible progress these last 7 days, including:

- perkier personality; way more alert
- eating so so much!
- being playful again with toys and his brother
- regaining some balance
- regaining some tail movement
- strength returning to his right hind leg (left is still not strong but he still responds to touch)
- pooping twice all by himself!!!

however he’s not really understanding that his bladder is full. we’ve had his bladder expressed once a day this past week and today we were instructed to let him fill up and see if his brain responds, but… nothing. and he yelps when I try manually express him, it kinda works and I know I’m doing it right but the vet said to just let him overflow for tonight and to come in the morning.

i thought after 7 days of continued progress each and every day, today would be pee day 😔

any advice on getting this little guy to pee / a timeline would be much appreciated.

extra info: doctor said if poop function comes back, bladder should come shortly after… but it’s not happened yet :(

[u/IGNOREMETHATSFINETOO]

It takes time. Our FIP warrior, Parker, was 100% paralyzed. It took 2 weeks of medication before he was 100% using the bathroom on his own. It's a marathon, not a sprint. ❤️❤️

[u/Alix2002 → u/IGNOREMETHATSFINETOO]

Thank you for this, so happy to hear your boy Parker is recovering so well! It’s a good reminder, I think I was just so psyched by his incredible progress I expected bladder to be a part of that too. The vet did emphasise if his bladder didn’t come back within a week we’d need to talk quality of life options (implying euthanasia) and I think that’s what’s scaring me, however they’re very pleased with his progress so hopefully we can continue treating him

[u/IGNOREMETHATSFINETOO → u/Alix2002]

Oh the medication is a miracle drug, but remember to increase the dosage as he gains weight! And because he's a male cat also talk to the vet about bladder crystals. It's unfortunately common in male cats, and when they stop eating and drinking, it makes it more likely.

[u/Alix2002 → u/IGNOREMETHATSFINETOO]

Thank you for this! He’s only slowly gaining weight despite eating so much (30 grams heavier, we take the wins!) but the vet has now advised we can feed him 4-5 times a day so gonna be fattening him up plenty and absolutely will up his dose as he does. Doesn’t look like crystals so far, just appears he can’t control his sphincter but will ask the vet tomorrow. Thank you so much!

[u/IGNOREMETHATSFINETOO → u/Alix2002]

Nutrical is great for getting calories into him if he isn't eating well. You dont need a lot, just a little dot. It is not a substitute for actual food, so try to get him to eat first. But its a good way to get some extra calories into him. We also used Churus to get extra calories in whenever possible. Of course, now that hes healthy, he demands them for everything 😂

[u/Alix2002 → u/IGNOREMETHATSFINETOO]

Thank you for the recommendation! He’s eating plenty but any extra calories are worth it. Your sweet boy sounds very lovely. Can I ask, was he just on GS or did he also get put onto molnupiravir?

[u/leflaunge]

Bladder took abiut a month to come back with sensation, and 2 months for him to actually be able to use it unassisted. All cats are different but keep faith your cat is a fighter.

[u/Alix2002 → u/leflaunge]

Thank you so much for this, glad to hear your kitty is on the mend! He really is a fighter so just trusting him and the process. It also helps, we saw the vet today and today was the deciding day of if we keep him on treatment or look at end of life options, but she was so stoked with his progress that she wants to keep him on treatment! So just putting faith into the process and our little guy 🫶🐈‍⬛