Sorry, I know this will be long but I want to give you all the details.

My 9 year old male cat has had 4 urinary tract blockages, each occurring about 1.5-2 years apart. In the last three instances there was only a small, easily removed mucous plug. Urinalyses and x-rays showed no evidence of crystals or stones. His urine pH is perfect.

He has been eating Royal Canin S/O (wet in the morning, dry in the evening) exclusively for over two years -- except when he sneaks a few bites out of his sister's dish.

After the last blockage, he partially blocked again twice in less than a week. The vet and I are pretty sure it was due to spasms since the second time he partially blocked she was able to get him peeing again without the need for a catheter by giving him a couple of diazepam injections. (Unfortunately he had a paradoxical over-excitement reaction to the diazepam, so we can't give him that again.) For the past 2.5 days he's been on dantrolene and phenoxybenzamine and is doing great. The vet would like him to stay on those medications for another two weeks.

In addition to changing his diet to all wet food (Royal Canin S/O mixed with extra water), I've been doing some research on holistic therapies. With my vet's blessing I have started him on glucosamine/chondroitin supplements and an herbal combo containing couchgrass, marshmallow, ginger, goldenseal, lobelia, uva ursi, juniper and parsley. I'm also considering trying Solid Gold Berry Balance.

Do you agree with what I'm trying? Do you have any other recommendations for a case where the problem appears to be mucous and/or spasms rather than crystals or stones? My vet wants to work with me to do everything possible to avoid PU surgery, but I'm afraid if he blocks again that may be my only remaining option.

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