Feline cystitis - help!

[clouddweller]

My poor cat is suffering :( I am pretty sure she has cystitis - took her to the vet yesterday, who said while she couldn't be 100% sure without a urine sample, the symptoms all match cystitis. She gave an anti-inflammatory injection (which did seem to calm things down for the evening) and sent me off with some of the same medication, to be given once a day for the next four days or so. I've also ordered some Cystaid capsules, which will arrive tomorrow, as they have good reviews (though happy to hear otherwise, if anyone has experience!).

My problem is that I'm struggling to get a urine sample to take back to the vet for testing. I have the litter (forget the name but starts with a K) and a pipette and everything, but so far, no luck. Without a test the vet won't prescribe anti-biotics, so I am super-stressed as really hate to see poor kitty in discomfort. Does anyone have any advice?

[MellowMelly]

Is your cat not weeing in the litter?

[clouddweller]

@MellowMelly not thus far! She hasn't had a tray inside for ages so not sure if she's just not used to it any more, or if she is actively avoiding. All her little wees are on the floor at the moment...

[Gertrudesgarden]

My wee girl had pee problems and just wouldn't perform in her tray, so we ended up popping her into the vets so they could contain her in the cage and grab the sample as soon as she peed. It only took a couple of hours. It cost though... Do you know anyone with a pet cage that you could borrow and do something similar at home? A cage with a clean plastic tray bottom would work, she could pee straight on it instead of in a litter tray and you could then grab the sample.

Turns out it wasn't a bacterial infection (cystitis) but inflammation caused by hypothyroidism, confirmed by a quick blood test. It might be worth asking about a blood test for this if she/he suffers it again.

[Gertrudesgarden]

Got the thyroid thing wrong - she was overactive thyroid, so that's hyPERthyroidism.

[MellowMelly]

@clouddweller
Sounds like she’s being stubborn haha. It took my cat (who goes outside in the garden) three days of being locked in with litter tray before he actually went in it .
I think this is a case of perseverance annoyingly, or just following her around with a pot to catch her out.
If it helps, my female cat regularly got cystitis so I started putting Apple Cider Vinegar (with Mother) in her drinking water. She’s not had a problem since.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Try an empty tray, someone on here said they do this & get wee samples.

Those plastic litters are useless.

[clouddweller]

Thanks, @MellowMelly! I think you're right . I'm sure she'll be chuffed to find me hovering every time she goes!

I read about apple cider vinegar as well, so will give that a go.