More cat wee pipe issues - where will this end?

[HonorMatopoeia]

This seems like the zillionth thread I've started on my poor cat and his continuing blocked pipe issues.
Basically he's had problems with blocked pipes for around 5 years. He's been in and out of the vets about 3 times when he's got blocked, costing up to £2000 each time (we have pet plan, thank god!)He is on a special diet but it still happens.
He has been a house cat for 4 ish years (another cat who had a road accident, had to keep him in,....boring story)
For various reasons we have now let the 2 of them back outside and they're loving it (should have done it a long time ago, I know).
The problem now is that we can't closely monitor what the cat is eating, he is a greedy so and so and he's inevitably been eating stuff he shouldn't have.
He's started squatting and trying to wee in corners again today - a sure sign that he#s starting to get blocked.
So - what happens next (after taking him to the vets obviously)? If he keeps eating things he shouldn't then it will just keep happening won't it?
The other problem is that we can't afford the £85 excess on the pet plan each time he has to go in.
Where will this end?

(God, sorry that was soooo long!)

[HonorMatopoeia]

bump - it's fallen off active convos already!

[HonorMatopoeia]

Please? Anyone?

[Sushipaws]

I'm so sorry, your poor kitty.

My old cat used to get blocked up when he ate iams or other salty things. I put a note on his collar saying "PLEASE DON'T FEED ME, I HAVE A SENSATIVE TUMMY".

[HonorMatopoeia]

Thanks sushipaws. I do feel so sorry for him
He won't wear a collar unfortunately, I've tried, but he seems to prefer trying to strangle himself rather than wearing it.
Also, he's such a glutton that he'll eat odd pieces of food left lying in the gutter etc (iyswim!). I don't think anyone else is feeding him, he's just nicking things!

[Sushipaws]

We also used to tray and get our cat to drink more, really watered down milk, or water with the bloody bit of steak in it. (I found that last one disgusting as I'm a vegi, but anything for the king puss.)

[Sushipaws]

try not tray

[HonorMatopoeia]

Yes, vets have advised us to put water on his special diet food (which is dry). Poor chap can't eat anything else - he must get sooooo bored!

[Sushipaws]

I always feel the same but my new cat (last one died of heart disease in the end, poor kitty) is a major vomiter and has a very sensative tummy, she gets the same food for every meal but it doesn't stop her breathing it in faster than you can say "here kitt.....oh you've fifnished".

[mejon]

Our cat has also suffered from this but since the vet advised us not to give him any dry food at all he's not had a single re-ocurrence. When I remember I do add a little extra water to his food to help his intake as I don't think I've ever seen him drink from his water bowl! Does your vet give him anti-inflammatory tablets when it flares up? I wonder if keeping him on something like these long-term would be helpful - though obviously I'm not a vet so I may be talking through my hat!

Like you we've kept him and our younger female cat (who'd never been out apart from on a harness) inside the house for nearly three years (because a previous cat was run over near our old house)until very recently when they both unexpectedly got out and were OK - they absolutely love it and don't seem to wander very far. I bet they're cursing us for keeping them cooped up for so long.

Hope kitty is ok.

[Sushipaws]

I agree, we were told to never give our cat dry food again after it had happened a couple of times.

[emiliadaniel]

This is a difficult one. You are right that eating other things can upset the good that the diet food does. But being an inactive indoor cat is also a risk factor for urinary problems. It is very hard to say which is the lesser of the two risks but in the end I would probably decide on the basis of quality of life. Which food is he on?

[DorrisMcWhirter]

Sorry - just rechecked thread!
He's on Feline Cd (goes on the Sd version after he's had a bout)
I'm not sure what medication the vets give him as he's usually in for a week so they give it him all there iyswim.
He doesn't seem to have squatted and tried to wee in inappropriate places again (at ;least in my sight!)and seems much happier than when he is on a downward spiral. Perhaps it was a false alarm.
I agree that his quality of life is much better now he is outside and I think this wins out.

(SOrry, this is me but i've had a namechange!)

[emiliadaniel]

I agree with you about the quality of life. If you find he is unhappy with the diet food, there is a very good alternative made by Waltham, called urinary control. It comes in a dry and a wet form. Ask your vet about it if necessary.