Vinny (my chunky cat who is about 10 yrs old) has always had problems with urinary tract infections. I noticed on Friday that he decided to pee on the padding outside the litter box (used to trap litter from their paws) instead of going IN the litter box. I scoop their box twice a day to keep it clean for them so I didn't think the litter box could be the problem. I decided to do a complete dump and scrub anyhow to make sure.
The next day, he peed on the padding again. I now know there's a problem.
Other things have started happening within the last 48 hrs. Under normal circumstances, he sleeps with me, walks with me downstairs in the morning and sits with me while I have coffee, enjoys a bowl of milk while he waits.
Last night, he didn't sleep with me. I got up around 2 am and went looking for him. He was under B's bed. I grabbed him and brought him to bed with me. He stayed for a while but then left again. When I went searching for him at 5, I found him under her bed again so I left him there. This morning when I went down for my coffee, I called for him to get his milk and sit in the window(which I never have to do). He didn't budge. I went on downstairs thinking he'd hear me go and follow. He didn't
Eventually, he did come down. I gave him his milk and he sipped it a bit but just went back upstairs. He vomited his food up last night. He's really lethargic. He still purs and will cuddle with me if I go under the bed. He wants the attention but doesn't want to leave his "safe" spot. I took some food to him under the bed and he did eat a bit.
I called our vet but of course, it's Sunday, they're closed. I left a message for them to call me as soon as they get in in the morning so I can talk with them and get Vinny in. Vinny used to be their cat at the vet's office until we adopted him so I'm sure they'll do everything they can to help him.
I'm just so upset. I hope nothing serious is wrong with him. I love him so very much. He's my little cuddle partner at night. He sleeps right next to my pillow and never leaves until I get up in the mornings ....until now He sits on the bench in our foyer until I get home from running errands, taking B to school, etc.
My sister's cat just died from acute renal failure and I'm afraid he'll have the same problem. I can't imagine losing him so I'm trying not to think the worse but I really can't help it.
*If* he is urinating, I would feel better. Do you know when the last time he pottied was? Urine?
Can you take his temp? Rectally. Insert thermo into anus enough to completely cover the bulb end. Have someone else hold him and scruff his neck softly but firmly so he does not bite or scratch you.
When was the last time he ate normally and drank normally?
*If* he is not urinating or is only dribbling, you need to get him to the ER now. He could be blocked and this results in death if not treated fast.
Did the urine on the padding look differently?
__________________ "Custom will reconcile people to any atrocity."
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The urine on the padding was not nearly as strong as typical cat urine. At first, I thought it had been the dog because it didn't smell the same, kwim?
I can't really tell IF he is urinating or not as I have two kitties that use the same litterboxes. I know there isn't nearly the same amount of urine in there as there normally is. I'm not sure if that's due to him not drinking as much or if he's going elsewhere in the house that I have yet to find (ick)
What's the normal temp for a cat? How long do I need to temp him? I've never done it before and I want to make sure I get an accurate reading. I'll see if DH will give me a hand taking his temp and post it in a sec.
The last time he ate/drank normally was friday morning. He came down for his milk and then had his breakfast. I noticed he'd peed on the mat that morning when I went to clean the litter box.
Not urinating is a biggie. If he's not, we want to know asap. Can you have dh sit by his head and scruff his neck area, then you gently but firmly palpate/massage/feel his bladder/lower ab area....push up towards his spine a bit and "feel".....if he growls and gets mad, it can be a sign of a blocked bladder. The urine you found, outside the box, was it a normal amount? And have you seen him in the litter box, trying but not going? Today or y'day?
Temp....keep it in for at least 1 minute. Lube the end like you would for a baby, best to use ky jelly if you can. You don't want to see it over 102.5. Even 102 would be high end but not considered a "fever".
If he's at least drinking a bit, and eating a bit, and is urinating, you can likely wait til tomorrow to see the vet.
Ok....as long as you know he is at least pee'ing a bit, or has in the last 12 hours, he should be ok to wait. But if no urinating and sore ab area, I'd take him in sooner. It's unlikely to be renal issues, those don't present with a fever. Sounds more like a bacterial/viral type infection. Is he indoor only? Any other symptoms? How is the color in his ears, the flesh inner part of the upper ear?
The other thought would be him getting into something...with the vomiting and fever. Does he get into string and stuff? And is he holding what he is eating and drinking down now? If so, that's good.
Renal issues produce a lot of urine, but not a fever. So I am betting something else and that he just did not feel good and did not make it into the box. Could be a UTI, and that would cause a fever and even vomiting...but usually the urine is stronger, not weaker, in scent and color.
He's indoor only. He does sun himself on our back patio but we have a privacy fence all around our yard.
I haven't found any vomit today. I did see him eat a little this afternoon when I took food to him under the bed and he did have a bit of milk this morning.
The inside of his ears are white-ish/pink, normal for him.
I haven't seen him getting into yarn/string. I try to keep them out of my sewing room but they like to lounge on the fabric.
I want to thank you for answering my questions. I'm anxious about taking him in tomorrow and it helps to have someone to throw all this stuff at beforehand.
Hmm, ok, color is good. I asked because problems with the liver will show a yellowish tint to the ear skin or the gums. I am betting they will want to take blood and see what comes back. They will likely start him on an antibiotic and give him some fluids to hydrate him. If you can get him some canned food. I'd skip milk as cows milk can cause intestinal bleeding in cats and can irritate further if he's feeling run-down. Canned food will help him re-gain some fluids and some nutrients...but if he is not holding it down, don't do it. Just water til you see the vet tomorrow. But if he is eating and holding it down, I'd go with canned if he will take it.
It really sounds more like an infection of some sort. And taking blood will help determine that. It will also hint at other things, like showing his liver and kidney health, and will show his blood levels for anemia...things that can tell us he may have, say, gotten into a poison. (No rat poison around, right?)
With a fever like his though, and the lethargy but no ab/tummy pain and holding water and food down, it sounds more infectious over anything else.
In most cats like him we usually see a complete recovery with an antibiotic and keeping him hydrated til the med takes effect. That may mean just some fluids under his neck/back skin (SQ fluids) and a good antibiotic. Of course the vet will feel his organs and make sure none are enlarged and inflamed feeling as well. I really don't think it is renal failure, because of his fever. And same for the UTI...could be, but the urine is usually stronger and more "potent". 10 is also fairly young for it....we usually see it in cats older than 13 or so.
The other thing I'd worry about would be things like FELV and FIV, diseases he could catch from other cats...if any come see him? Or if your other cats go outside and come in contact with any stray or infected area cats. It's rare though to see in an indoor cat...usually in outdoor cats who tend to fight.
Ahh, so I shouldn't be giving my guys cow's milk at all?
Oh boy, not sure how they're going to take that. Vinny usually "talks" to me and winds around my legs until I give him some milk in the morning. I used to give him "Catsip" but I haven't been able to find it anywhere around here.
He's been a bit more perky this afternoon. He's come out from under B's bed a few times. But he's back under there now
Thanks again Denise. I'll post as soon as I get back from the vet's office and when they tell me something.
i know that goats milk is sometimes reccomended for wild animals that are foundlings-- maybe that would be a better choice? I have a cat that is a milk whore too-- if I have cereal and set the bowl down for a minute I come back to her head in the bowl. I havent ever tried goaats milk, but I know the protein/fat/carb makeup is different than cows, so MAYBE that would work I am sure that someone else might know a little more
heather
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Heather , mama to Liam, born 12-19-01, and Simon, born 04-17-05 wife to Mark, married 09-23-97
I just dropped him off and they asked me to call them at noon. She said that she's certain it's not behavioral and they'll be doing systematic tests on him this morning. They're also going to start him on an antibiotic because of the fever.
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