old age - Baytril in cats - Answered by Dr. Lee

[cpietra16]

This week Chrunchie my 17 years old kitty started having blood in her urine, so off to the vet she went, and back she came with some baytril. Winnie her buddy and companion was always at her side. A few mornings ago , Winnie ( my 10 1/2 year ols lab) woke up and refused to get up. She cried with Chrunchie by her side. She wouldn't let me near her..so with some coaxing and kisses I finally got her to the vets...and sure enough her hips are giving out on her. She's been on Glucosimine for 2 years as preventative but unfortunately her weight and age won out. Her blood panel came out great so they put her on anti-inflammatories until the next episode....I really thought that all my guys would live forever....and then reality strikes:sad: They have been so healthy for so long, I guess age caught up...

[clm]

It does seem like they get old all of a sudden doesn't it. They're both beautiful. I hope that they both start feeling better soon.

Cindy

[Dr Lee]

Originally Posted by cpietra16

This week Chrunchie my 17 years old kitty started having blood in her urine, so off to the vet she went, and back she came with some baytril.

Why was your cat placed on baytril versus another medication? Was there a culture that indicated baytril? No other alternatives?

Baytril has some problems with cats and especially a 17 year old cat. Here are the concerns.

1)"Higher doses (>5 mg/kg/day) not recommended in cats; may cause blindness" -Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook Fifth edition. What is the dosage on baytril for cats? 5mg/kg/day. This is difficult to dose and be right at the dose. Do not want to go too low and be ineffective or too high and run into the aforementioned risk. The North American Companion Animal Formulary gives the same description and dosage. Usually doses are given in ranges like baytril is given with dogs as 5-20mg/kg/day (Plumb).

2) "Caution: hepatic or renal insufficiency, dehydration" -Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook Fifth edition. Now how likely is it that 17 year old cat kidneys are not working at their full 100%? Renal (kidney) insufficiency is very common in older cats and almost assumed until proven otherwise in a 17 year old cat.

Just my concern upon reading your post and obviously not knowing the whole story.

[Dr Lee]

For dogs with OA (osteoarthritis), I would recommend the following nutriceudicals in addition to glucosamine....

1) Chondroitin (often paired with glucosamine)
2) MSM (also often paired with glucosamine)
3) Omega 3 fatty acids with as much EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) as possible
4) Antioxidants

The omega 3 fatty acids also help the kidney function and health which can help the patient deal with the effects of the NSAIDs.

Tramadol is another medication that can be added safely if all the others together are not enough. Also physical therapy, magnet therapy, accupuncture, and K-Laser therapy can help.

[cpietra16]

Thank-you for your input Dr. Lee. Crunchie is on 15mg/1 pill a day for 10 days. The doctor asuumed it was an infection...no blood sample taken...She told me to try her on the med and see what happens. The blood is no longer in her urine. I should mention that she was on the same dosage back in October. She was given the same meds. Baytril/ 15mgs/ 10 days.

As for Winnie thank-you I will supplement her diet...As for Crunchie I call and bring her in and ask for blood/ urine sample.

[Frenchy]

I'm so sorry Cpietra , it's hard to see our fuzzbutts get old. Did they say why Chrunchie had blood in her urine ? I know I keep repeating myself but , since Paddy had his urine blockage and made the switch to raw diet , every is fine and I can't believe how cheaper the raw diet is for cats , compare to premium canned food , and IMO , much better.

For Winnie , sometimes a bit of anti-inflammatories is just what they need to get a bit better. Sam has been on Deramaxx (not a med you can keep giving them long term though) and he's been doing pretty good.

Good luck with your oldies

[Rottielover]

Cpietra, I know this must be getting really hard for you, but Winnie still has her spunk, I saw it the last time I was there, Old age is hard, especially watching our pets go through it.
I am glad crunchie blood is gone, at least that is a good sign...

[spazsmom]

My cat, Spaz, was diagnosed with a urinary infection (no blood) late last week and was put on Baytril, 22.7 mg. once daily (too much for his weight?). Since being on that, he has become lethargic, lost a pound (down to 5 pounds now), and has lost his appetite. He was so dehydrated he had to be given IV fluids all day Monday at the vet's office. I am very worried about him. He's not the same "Spaz" as he used to be. He is 14 years old and has lost a lot of weight in the last year (down from 9 pounds to now just 5 pounds since being on Batril). He was 6 pounds before going on Baytril. Any causes of the weight loss and lethargy would be appreciated.

[spazsmom]

thanks to all for your thoughts on baytril. i stopped giving it to spaz, and he is doing better already; not 100% yet, but better. since the dose he was on was too high (twice what he should have been on according to Dr. Lee and other articles i found on Baytril), i'm thinking of talking to my vet about reimbursing me for all of the costs for the tests i had to put him through on monday, as it appears the baytril was the cause of all of his problems. she put him on steroids now to get his weight back up, and thinks cancer is a high probability because they can't find anything else wrong w/ him. the only symptom he has right now is weight loss, down from 9 pounds a year ago to 5pounds now. he was 6 pounds before being put on baytril. he's almost 15 years old.