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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Thirsty Cat

30 replies

Broken1Girl · 31/05/2016 18:32

Um, that.
Madam BrokenCat is drinking up to several times a day, and not a quick drink, she laps away desperately for a while. It's a definite change. Unless I'm overthinking and stereotyping that cats don't drink.
Otherwise she seems fine.
Any experience / advice please?

OP posts:
zoop1 · 31/05/2016 18:36

Unless this reflects a recent change in diet, such as switching from wet to dry food, an increase in thirst definitely requires a trip to the vet.

BuddyC4t · 31/05/2016 18:39

Unless it's very hot or you have changed diet I would suggest a trip to the vet for a blood test. My cat did this and she had an over active thyroid. Have you noticed a change in the weight and condition of your cat?

Original poster
Broken1Girl · 31/05/2016 19:24

Thanks both.
Not hot I wish, is more like Oct than May here.
No change in diet. She has wet food supplemented with a bit of dry.
I haven't noticed any other changes, maybe slight weight loss but she's been more active with warmer except today weather.
Vet it is. Sad

OP posts:
BuddyC4t · 31/05/2016 19:29

If it is thyroid it's very treatable! Either with medication or an operation. My cat lived for years after diagnosis on medication.

Autumnchill · 31/05/2016 19:35

My 15 year old male cat drinks excessively. He's got Stage 2 renal failure so I would suggest visit to vets

Lonecatwithkitten · 31/05/2016 19:41

Renal failure, diabetes and hyperthyroidism would be the most common. Then the less common stuff.

Original poster
Broken1Girl · 31/05/2016 19:45

Oh that's reassuring Buddy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Broken1Girl · 31/05/2016 19:50

Would weight loss - although slight - suggest hyperthyroidism? Mine is under, she can give me some Smile
Presume diabetes also treatable but renal failure sounds bad.
Just Sad if she's been feeling crappy.
Ringing vet tomorrow.
Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
eleventybillion · 31/05/2016 19:52

How old is she? Have you noticed any changes in her use of the litter tray?

It might be helpful to measure how much she is actually drinking (just measure the volume when you fill her drinking bowl and when you empty it). It might help the vet diagnose if she really is polydipsic.

As PP have said there are several things that could cause this. I'm not a vet but I think most would benefit from early treatment. (Eleventycat's thirstiness was the first sign of CRF and she's now on a special diet to help manage it.)

Good luck! Let us know how you get on.

Original poster
Broken1Girl · 31/05/2016 20:15

She's nine, eleventy. Possibly she's weeing more.
Good idea but I don't own a measuring jug Blush water goes down noticeably iyswim.
Thanks Smile

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 31/05/2016 20:16

Ours is diabetic and the first obvious sign to us was suddenly drinking lots. Definitely go to the vets sooner rather than later too. Diabetes is treatable at home.

eleventybillion · 31/05/2016 20:26

Nine is quite young (Eleventycat is 16!) so hopefully it's something straightforward and the vet can put your mind at rest. Flowers

Lonecatwithkitten · 31/05/2016 20:30

All of the conditions that cause increased drinking can also cause weight loss so it doesn't point in one particular direction.

Original poster
Broken1Girl · 31/05/2016 22:02

Reassured eleventy. The furry fecker has chased her toy mouse around so can't be too bad Grin everyone is surprised she's nine. Thanks for Flowers
That's reassuring vino and like username, am currently enjoying a Wine
Ah ok lone assume vet will do blood tests.
Will make vet appointment in morning for ASAP.

OP posts:
Hassled · 31/05/2016 22:06

I have a diabetic cat - depending on the cat, it's very treatable (I mean this OldBoyCat is placid and good as gold when we inject him - if it had been PsychoCat I just don't think we could have done it). It's taken a while and a lot of money to get the insulin dose right, but he's still going strong after a couple of years since diagnosis and is a happy cat.

Original poster
Broken1Girl · 31/05/2016 22:34

Hassled oh Sad BrokenCat is, not psycho, but far from placid. Crap. I don't think I could inject her.
Sad

She is insured, people please tell me she's covered for an ongoing condition? Sorry if stupid question.

OP posts:
Hassled · 31/05/2016 22:48

I don't know about the insurance but the injecting is surprisingly easy - if it's not the sort of cat who's going to savage your hand every time, you'll be fine. The vets show you how to do it. And anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself - it may not be diabetes. But don't panic if it is - it's doable.

Original poster
Broken1Girl · 31/05/2016 22:53

Thank you

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 31/05/2016 23:09

Insulin injections are easy to do. See what the vet says and test results show. If you have a lifetime policy ongoing conditions are covered.
Good luck and I hope the Wine was good.

Original poster
Broken1Girl · 01/06/2016 18:30

Madam is booked into the vet tomorrow.

OP posts:
MadamDeathstare · 01/06/2016 20:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bertsdinner · 01/06/2016 21:38

My old cat started to drink a lot, it was her thyroid. It was easy to treat and she lived another 6 years (was 19 when died). I remember the vet did a blood test and I got the diagnosis very quickly.

Original poster
Broken1Girl · 01/06/2016 22:01

Thanks both.
The 'get her while busy scarfing food' plan sounds good Madam Smile

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 01/06/2016 23:21

Good luck tomorrow. Best to get these things checked out sooner rather than later.

Wolfiefan · 01/06/2016 23:26

We had a cat with a thyroid issue. Easily treated with pills. (Other options are available!)
Hoping it is easily treatable.

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