Signs of UTI in elderly girl cat?

[PenguindreamsofDraco]

My almost 18 year old lost her sister last month and has been a bit out of sorts since. The last couple of days I have been finding random wet spots and thought nothing of it. This evening I have realised they're from her. She's stopping every few paces, putting her tail up in the weeing position, and letting out a tiny dribble (size of a two pence piece) of odourless what I assume is urine. She's walking a bit funny but otherwise seems ok. Not drinking much, but never really does.
Does this sound UTI-ish? I couldn't bear to lose both my girls so close together

[Fluffycloudland77]

It sounds like a uti to me, the vet should be able to sort her out.

Don't hang about though because they are painful.

[catsdogsandbabies]

See vet ASAP. Likely UTI but these never occur in cats (or vvvv rarely) without underlying issues. So the fact the urine is watery suggests it is too dilute. Likely chronic kidney disease. So bloods and a urine sample ASAP!

[thecatneuterer]

I disagree with catsanddogs. I've had a lot of cats that have had one or two cases of cystitis and have had no underlying issues. Cats get cystitis occasionally just as humans do. It needs treating immediately though.

[jasmine31]

Yes the symptoms may well indicate cystitis.

Cats can get a couple of types of cystitis (bladder inflammation) If caused by bacterial infection this is usually secondary to an underlying issue e.g. renal disease causing dilute urine, diabetes, presence of a bladder stone or tumour and hence tends to be seen more in older cats who are more likely to develop these problems.

The other main type of cystitis is idiopathic (i.e. cause not known but risk factors seem to be stress, being an indoor cat, obesity) and can happen at any age.

Both types of cystitis cause pain but the idiopathic sort tends to clear up on its own whereas the bacterial type requires antibiotics.

So yes I would take her to the vet as she may benefit from pain relief/antibiotics or both.

[PenguindreamsofDraco]

Thanks everyone. My plan is to be at the vet's for 9 when they open. If these things can get serious quickly, I'm hoping they'll be able to fit her in first thing. Poor love, I'm thinking she's had it for at least a day already, but spills are so usual with my 3 year old that it wasn't even crossing my mind they could be from her

[Italiangreyhound]

Hope vets goes ok.

Our cat has cystitis.

I am writing about it at

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray/2164667-Cat-now-weeing-all-over-the-place?msgid=49035936#49035936

[PenguindreamsofDraco]

Can these things improve on their own? Although she missed the litterbox overnight repeatedly she's chirpy as anything this morning and no obvious problem. I'm waiting outside the vet now but feel like a complete fraud

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'd go anyway, it's not normal behaviour.

[shaska]

Ours had cystitis two weeks ago - was terrified as did read that it's often a sign of something underlying and we lost a cat this year already. She was doing something similar - in the litter tray constantly but not much wee action.

She had antibiotics and painkillers for a couple of days and is now right as rain, so fingers crossed for yours!