Willie's Urinary Woes ...

So, my weekend was consumed by Willie's urinary system and its problems ... (Background: Willie came to me last fall with some combo arthritis/urinary issues. He has been on glucosamine since he came, and ammonium chloride for several months to acidify his urine ... Just last Fri I was watching him outside and thinking how great he was doing: moving & peeing very freely - no more hunching or anything!)

Thinking that must have triggered the fates, bec Sat am he looked a little "off" but non-specific, but by Sat eve he was in full-blown acute urinary pain - worse than he has EVER been. Unable to get comfortable, completely bunched up, and vocalizing in pain. Poor fellow.

I called the vet out, and she sedated & palpated him, discovering a fairly full (but not dangerous) bladder, a spasming urethra, and a stone in his urethra, about 8 in up. She tried to catheterize him, and got a few inches up, and we flushed some saline up to try and dislodge/lubricate the stone. A bit of urine came out.

So, since then he has been on antibiotics, and pain meds/sedative to keep him comfortable and relaxed so the stone can work its way out. Yesterday she re-checked, and the stone had moved down about 1.5-2 in, his heart rate was slower (less pain), and his bladder smaller. He seems much more comfortable (tho not perfect), and is eating and peeing (tho dribbly and slow).

We will stay the course for the next few days, hoping for continued progress.

Of course - these things seem always to happen when I am planning to be away for a couple of days (last time was a sick goat before I had to go away) - and have to leave things in my husband's hands. He is very responsible, but not as empathetic or perceptive as I am ... hopefully Willie will have made even more progress by Thurs, and I can leave feeling not-too-worried about him. I may ask my sister to check in, too.

Will keep you posted.