Hi!

I'm new, and I have read the other post dealing with cystitis. Much of it identifies with my cat; however, a few things are different.

My boy just turned 7, and has only had his first year vaccinations. He also had a strange incedent happen where two years ago, when he was 5, he had some plaque-ish growths in his throat, near his tonsils. The vet removed them b/c they were causing problems for him swallowing, sneezing, etc. They were benign. I consulted with a homeopathic vet, who has since retired, who treated him, focusing on the mucous membranes, lymphatic system, etc.

My boy experienced problems urinating just once before, about 2-3 years ago, after eating the entire pot of fresh catnip. He's crazy about that stuff. The issue resolved on its own, and we never witnessed any other problems. In February, we introduced a new kitten. My boy was pretty upset over this, yet the other two cats didn't mind at all. So he decided to mow down another pot of catnip. Now he's got the problem again. It's been going on for several months now, but he's only blocked once, which was a month ago. The vet was able to work it loose, and said there was grit between his fingers. We do not know what type of crystals, however.

About two weeks ago, he acted like he was blocked, but the vet didn't feel that he was since he was eating like crazy. He just couldn't urinate; whether from blockage or not wanting to go due to pain, we don't know.

I finally trusted in my three homeopathic veterinary books (Don Hamilton, George MacLeod, and various others), and got the only remedies the health food store had in stock: nux vomica 12C, cantharis 30c, apis 30c. The apis didn't seem to do much. The other two did, but I do not know which. I suspected the nux did the most, as I had to give it once again about a week ago, with good results.

I tried the lycopodium 30C, as suggested for the other list member. I thought all was well, but now he's acting like he cannot go. He ate this morning, was on the cat tree, but I can tell his bladder is full again, and his penis is pinkish, irritated. He's been licking himself, too.

Can anyone with better knowledge than I offer more suggestions? I'm very confused about what remedies are best. I do not see blood in my boy's urine. At one time, after the first urinalysis, the urine looked like it had a pinkish tinge to it, but no obvious blood. When he urinates, and it's always been this way, it's alot. Almost twice as much as the other adults urinate. He does go to the box and try, sometimes unsuccessfully, but not often. He's not constantly trying to urinate, as many remedies suggest. He seems to retain urine, only going once a day, sometimes less.

If I had to describe him, I would say this: he's a personable cat, outgoing, but cautious, sometimes jumpy at noises, very vocal, especially when he plays with his catnip toys -- yelling at them and biting them in play, he sometimes plays rough when playing with the other cats, is very upset when strange cats come into the yard (the others do not react this way), has a good appetite (they've been on raw meat for several years), does drink water (not excessively), and is a lean, muscular cat. He's a Scottish Fold, and they're known for having a cobby body, but he's more muscular than our other Folds.

Hope this helps, and I hope to learn more from those of you who have better knowledge. I believe in homeopathy, as it's worked for me personally. I just hope I can help my boy. It's very difficult watching him on this roller coaster ride, being better for 3-4 days, then going back to not wanting or being able to urinate.

Thanks!
Judi