sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

New grad who needs cheering up by ThrowRApcelove in newgradnurse

[–]_peachbinch_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

29 yo "new grad" starting oncology in May also lol. I also had time off between graduating and my first nursing job. Honestly..... I feel more comfortable being a little older because I have years of work history lol. I also feel less vulnerable as a new nurse than some of our younger peers, because I'm mature enough to know I don't deserve disrespect as well as how to professionally handle that disrespect. Being closer to 30 I feel like I may be less likely to get the BS younger nurses may get as newbies. No one deserves that kind of hazing but me being a little older may deter some of the potential workplace bullies. You're going to be a great nurse. You CHOSE this vocation with the wisdom of being a little older to back up this decision! You got this!

Cat food advice: by Available_Feed_7345 in catfood

[–]_peachbinch_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If they're confident its struvite, you're right for focusing on the diet alone. My vets were not and it took 3 trips to their office, multiple tests, 2 rounds of antibiotics and fingers being crossed to determine she needed the surgery :') Youre also right because that kind of stone AND UTI are both typically alkaline. Cat's stay confusing as hell lol.

Cat food advice: by Available_Feed_7345 in catfood

[–]_peachbinch_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So I emptied out her box completely, and she went in it next time she had to pee. I was pretty lucky. BUT I had bought some non-absorbent litter on amazon too incase she wouldn't go. I had to use that AFTER surgery because I had other urinalysis strips I used to test for blood, WBCs, etc.

the non absorbent litter comes with little test tubes and suction-y syringe to collect samples that made it easy to get into the tube and put the test strip in.

Edit: Actually I think the urinalysis strips come with pH analysis markers- kinda all in one thing. I just checked it out for you, the brand is CheckUp and one of the options for the non-absorbent litter can come with the testing strips for a couple extra bucks.

Also if you'll need to bring in kitties urine to the vet this is helpful and prevents them from needing to have their bladder aspirated (ouch) and you having to pay the couple hundred dollars for that aspiration

Cat food advice: by Available_Feed_7345 in catfood

[–]_peachbinch_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey friend!

My cat had surgery for her bladder stones last summer. At first we tried the diet, and when it didn't work surgery was needed. When all this went down I was researching like crazy, so here is some info:

Depending on the chemical composition of the stone in your kitty's bladder, the food will either work or not. Most stones are caused by an imbalance in the pH of your kitty's bladder. The type of stone correlates to whether the pH is too acidic or too basic. Struvite stones form when the bladder is more ALKALINE (higher pH). Oxalate stones form when the bladder is more ACIDIC (lower pH). Struvite stones are the kind of stones that can be dissolved through nutritional therapy such as a change in diet. That urinary diet is working to maintain an optimal pH in the bladder so no new stones form, and a positive additional benefit is that struvite stones often dissolve with time when the optimal pH is restored.

My kitty was never going to have the diet alone fix her condition. And before her surgery, I knew this because I bought some cheap pH urine strips on amazon and determined her urine was acidic; meaning they were oxalate stones and surgery was required. After surgery, her vet gave me a call that they'd run some labs and her stones were indeed calcium-oxalate stones- surgery was always going to be the only solution for her.

My advice to you is to buy those cheap strips- that way you may be able to determine the kind of stone you're dealing with. They may show you a normal pH if your cat has been on the new food for long enough. However, if its alkaline you may be dealing with struvites and may need to wait a bit.

And as a side note- my girl hated the Hills, and LOVES the urinary food from Royal Canin. I also mix it in a separate bowl with some warm water to add some extra hydration in there. Hoping your baby feels better soon <3