Poorly cat?

[AMLK]

I think I am going to be taking our cat to the vets tomorrow. She hasn't been quite herself the last few days, much more skitty, lazy and more reluctant to go outside. Previously she would spend lots of time outside huntung and the works.

She still has a good appetite, but appears to be drinking a bit more, and also needing to go to the toilet more urgently - so much so that she has used her litter tray overnight the last 2 nights (for a wee) and has woken us up during the night to be let outside to go to the loo, then come straight back in (through the bedroom window!!). We have had her a little over a year now and the only time she has used her litter tray was last year in all the snow, and she has never woken us at night to go out.

We guess she is about 7-8yrs old (rescue cat so not sure), and got a clean bill of health in Oct when she had her vaacines.

Like I said, I will take her to the vets tomorrow, but just wondering what people thought could be wrong - I was wondering whether it could be her kidneys, or the onset of diabetes.

[mr2mk1chick]

AMLK said:

I was wondering whether it could be her kidneys, or the onset of diabetes.

either urine infection or diabetes could be a reasonable guess at this time, so see what the vet says. you could try and take a urine sample with you also.
good luck with the outcome x

[AMLK]

Any tips on getting a urine sample from her?!

[jagracer]

AMLK said:

Any tips on getting a urine sample from her?!

The vet can give you some plastic type litter tray pellets, they don't soak any moisture so you can get a sample that way. Cats often suffer with crystals in their bladder which makes it difficult to pass water and gives them an infection. If it's this then a change of diet is in order. Do you feed her mainly dried food as this can cause it.

[bexVN]

You'd need non absorbant cat litter unless she'd wee in an empty tray.

There are several possible reasons for her behaviour and you are doing the right thing to get her checked. Try not to worry too much.

[AMLK]

Thanks. As for food she has 1 pouch of wet food per day and one small bowl of dry food. She often supplements this with mice!

[Y282]

i'll have a fiver on urine infection.

keep us posted!

[R300will]

Doesn't look that overweight as it could be her fur, plus the symptoms don't sound like she is a big risk of diabetes i would say. I'll take the urine infection as best guess based on what you have said

edited for second look at pic.

Edited by R300will on Sunday 20th November 10:32

[Jasandjules]

I would put her on renal food as well I think (after she's had her kidneys tested).. Or at least have organic and half renal food.

[AMLK]

Thanks for all your replies. If she ends up having kidney/urine problems then that doesn't phase e - my last two cats I rescued both already had kidney problems and were on special diets. It is the thought of diabetes and insulin injections that worries me a bit. She freaks out when I put flea drops on the back of her neck, but strangely has no issues when I shove a worming tablet down her neck!

Will let you know what the vets say - thanks.

[R300will]

AMLK said:

Thanks for all your replies. If she ends up having kidney/urine problems then that doesn't phase e - my last two cats I rescued both already had kidney problems and were on special diets. It is the thought of diabetes and insulin injections that worries me a bit. She freaks out when I put flea drops on the back of her neck, but strangely has no issues when I shove a worming tablet down her neck!

Will let you know what the vets say - thanks.

Yeah insulin injections are awkward i wish you the best of luck. You would be suprised to see how high a cats levels of urea can get in the blood when its kidneys are damaged and yet not suffer any ill effects.

[bexVN]

R300will said:

AMLK said:

Thanks for all your replies. If she ends up having kidney/urine problems then that doesn't phase e - my last two cats I rescued both already had kidney problems and were on special diets. It is the thought of diabetes and insulin injections that worries me a bit. She freaks out when I put flea drops on the back of her neck, but strangely has no issues when I shove a worming tablet down her neck!

Will let you know what the vets say - thanks.

Yeah insulin injections are awkward i wish you the best of luck. You would be suprised to see how high a cats levels of urea can get in the blood when its kidneys are damaged and yet not suffer any ill effects.

Not quite true, there may not be visible ill effects but there will be underlying changes and subtle signs happening. Urea and creatinine results don't start showing high until over 70% of the kidney is already damaged beyond repair. However the diets and drugs available now can help stabilise these sort of cases very well (as long as phosphorous levels are kept down) far better than they used to. We have several cats that have done really well for over 3 years + with help of regular montioring and appropropriate diets, far better results than even 10yrs ago. OP you'd be unlucky if it was diabetes but even if it was the good news is not all cats stay permanently diabetic.

[singlecoil]

As to the non-absorbent litter, it's worth a go but don't be surprised if she refuses to use it.

We've had good results with actually catching the urine in a purpose designed catcher, you have to wait until the cat is ready to go on the litter, then, as she assumes the position, slide the unit under her. Sounds unlikely but it does work, thoungh may need a couple of attempts.

[R300will]

bexVN said:

R300will said:

AMLK said:

Thanks for all your replies. If she ends up having kidney/urine problems then that doesn't phase e - my last two cats I rescued both already had kidney problems and were on special diets. It is the thought of diabetes and insulin injections that worries me a bit. She freaks out when I put flea drops on the back of her neck, but strangely has no issues when I shove a worming tablet down her neck!

Will let you know what the vets say - thanks.

Yeah insulin injections are awkward i wish you the best of luck. You would be suprised to see how high a cats levels of urea can get in the blood when its kidneys are damaged and yet not suffer any ill effects.

Not quite true, there may not be visible ill effects but there will be underlying changes and subtle signs happening. Urea and creatinine results don't start showing high until over 70% of the kidney is already damaged beyond repair. However the diets and drugs available now can help stabilise these sort of cases very well (as long as phosphorous levels are kept down) far better than they used to. We have several cats that have done really well for over 3 years + with help of regular montioring and appropropriate diets, far better results than even 10yrs ago. OP you'd be unlucky if it was diabetes but even if it was the good news is not all cats stay permanently diabetic.

Yes there will be changes of course but i meant nothing majorly affecting the cats health and wellbeing. That is until over 70% of kidney function has been lost as you suggested.

[AMLK]

Unfortunately the vets were fully booked today, and her symptoms aren't 'urgent'. I am hoping we might gat a cancellation slot, but if not she has an appointment for 8.30am tomorrow. She seems okay in herself at the moment, but she still had us up last night, so she definitly is not 'right'.

[bexVN]

AMLK said:

Unfortunately the vets were fully booked today, and her symptoms aren't 'urgent'. I am hoping we might gat a cancellation slot, but if not she has an appointment for 8.30am tomorrow. She seems okay in herself at the moment, but she still had us up last night, so she definitly is not 'right'.

Hmmm..I don't like that, your cat may have cystitis, this is urgent she should be seen today esp as it has already gone on a few days. If you phoned me I'd have her in today, phone them back and tell them you really don't want her to wait any longer (tell them a vet nurse has told you! I don't care if they curse me for it )

[AMLK]

bexVN said:

AMLK said:

Unfortunately the vets were fully booked today, and her symptoms aren't 'urgent'. I am hoping we might gat a cancellation slot, but if not she has an appointment for 8.30am tomorrow. She seems okay in herself at the moment, but she still had us up last night, so she definitly is not 'right'.

Hmmm..I don't like that, your cat may have cystitis, this is urgent she should be seen today esp as it has already gone on a few days. If you phoned me I'd have her in today, phone them back and tell them you really don't want her to wait any longer (tell them a vet nurse has told you! I don't care if they curse me for it )

Have just called them again and have got her in for this afternoon, thank you. Had a bit of hiccup as she managed to escape when I answered the door a while ago, but she has finally returned after numberous attempts at calling and rattling biscuits! Will let you know what they say, thanks again.

[bexVN]

AMLK said:

bexVN said:

AMLK said:

Unfortunately the vets were fully booked today, and her symptoms aren't 'urgent'. I am hoping we might gat a cancellation slot, but if not she has an appointment for 8.30am tomorrow. She seems okay in herself at the moment, but she still had us up last night, so she definitly is not 'right'.

Hmmm..I don't like that, your cat may have cystitis, this is urgent she should be seen today esp as it has already gone on a few days. If you phoned me I'd have her in today, phone them back and tell them you really don't want her to wait any longer (tell them a vet nurse has told you! I don't care if they curse me for it )

Have just called them again and have got her in for this afternoon, thank you. Had a bit of hiccup as she managed to escape when I answered the door a while ago, but she has finally returned after numberous attempts at calling and rattling biscuits! Will let you know what they say, thanks again.

I'm glad they have got her in, typical of a cat to disappear pre appointment! I am sure they understand the threat of the vets . Keeping fingers crossed that it's a false alarm but better safe than sorry.

[AMLK]

We are back, and I am feeling much better, and hopefully Molly will be soon too. The vet thinks that due to her age and sex it is most likely to be stress cystitis. This also fits with her being a bit skittish the last couple of days and more reluctant to out (except for when she is due at the vets!!). The 'evil' cat has been snooping round our garden recently so maybe it is linked to that, or something else outside has scared her, as we have had no changes at home.

She was given an anti-imflammatory jag whilst we were there, and I have been give some Metacam to give her from tomorrow eve. She is also to have only wet food for the next few days - lucky cat! If there is no improvement in a couple of days we are to get a sample (with the special cat litter) and take her back to see them.

About the food - how much wet food should I be giving her per day? She normally just has 1 pouch and a bowl of dry biscuits, so with the absence of dry should she be having 2 pouches or more? Btw I have just given her 1/4 tin of tuna since the vet said she could.

O/T There was a most beautiful sunset over our hills on the way home, if I didn't have Molly crying in the car I could have got a fab photo!

[bexVN]

Try 2-2.5 sachets offer more if she seems hungry but max 3.

Definitely glad she got seen today