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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

Sparklingcat again

29 replies

Sparklingbrook · 02/11/2016 09:34

Two weeks ago we took her to the vets because she was off her food. Felix AGAIL was no longer acceptable after 6 years. We took her to the vets where she had the once over and blood tests and all was ok. She's getting on for 10 so all good.

She now eats fine just not the Felix.

Anyway, yesterday afternoon she came flying down the garden into the house (no bushy tail or heckles) and then started miaowing for food.
As I was getting it I noticed her getting into the 'wee' position and then start wailing and yowling. Then she passes watery blood. Confused

She then ate her food, then went upstairs and did the yowling and passing watery blood again.

So off to the vets. Once over again, nothing untoward found, they think possibly stress cystitis. They gave me morphine which has to go on her gums and have given me those crystals for me to collect a wee sample.

This morning, she is completely fine, eaten two plates of food, wanting a fuss and wanting to go out just the same as every morning.

The crystals in the tray have been understandably ignored, and as I have to go out later this morning til late tonight and the sample has to be fresh, that will have to wait. If she will actually use it.

I just don't know what to think. She had an episode the same a few years ago minus the blood. Just the one off and back to normal.

Any ideas? More of a WWYD I guess. Sad If we can't get the sample they said they will have her in to get it but she seems fine now.

OP posts:
MsMims · 02/11/2016 09:37

With the watery blood I would have the vet get the sample if she won't use the crystals. The blood shows there is something going on, doesn't sound like just a behavioural thing.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 02/11/2016 09:40

Yes, the blood bothered me.

How the vet expects her to do a wee in those crystals i don't know. Her litter tray is usually full to the brim with clumping cat litter.

How will the vets do it? Or is it just a case of keep her there til she goes?

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 02/11/2016 11:34

I don't know why the vets don't just bung a catheter in and take it straight out. It's what you'd do with humans you couldn't get a sample from!

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 02/11/2016 11:37

That would be better. Not great for the cat, but an instant fresh sample. By the time I get one using the litter tray crystals method and get it to the vets before it's old there will most likely be nothing to see.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 02/11/2016 13:43

Our vets have offered to manually extract urine from fluffy cat. Seemed less keen when I explained he's a 13lb Bengal.

I'd still go Sparks, blood should be contained in the circulation, if it's coming out there's a reason why.

LivingInMidnight · 02/11/2016 13:56

Had to do this with my last cat. We had to clean the tray out so she had no other option, wait for hours to get the samples and then race it to the vet -who forgot to test it. They couldn't get her to go when they kept her for the (never ending) 5 hours they had her. I don't think she would have cooperated with a catheter though.

MsMims · 02/11/2016 14:22

When one of mine wouldn't co-operate with the special litter a vet put a needle directly into his tummy and withdrew a sample like that. I was a bit Shock but it turned out he had crystals so we needed to know. Also had a cat with FLUTD and when he was unable to pass urine himself the vets manually manipulated his bladder. Hope she just uses the crystals for you but sympathise with the mad rush to get the sample there within the hour too!

TroysMammy · 02/11/2016 22:59

I once had to get a sample from a cat. I cleaned the tray and put the crystals in. He fussed and farted around, nagging to go out and I said "if you pee in the tray, I'll let you out". He went in his tray and peed. I had my sample, he got to go out.

BaronessBomburst · 02/11/2016 23:03

My vet told me to get the sample to him within four hours, and to keep it in the fridge in the meantime.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/11/2016 06:49

Thanks for all your replies. No luck still with the crystals, and she continues to be absolutely back to normal.

I am going to hold her hostage this morning and keep pointing at the tray.

If no joy will ring vets and ask advice.

I notice they have already charged me for the urine test. They're not daft!

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 03/11/2016 14:46

Our vet just used a needle for a sample. No way would Puccini go in crystals, what a palaver!

Buy some Cystaid, it's about a tenner on line for a month's supply ( £30 at the vet!) works really well and calms them down so not so stressed . After the vet has ruled everything else out first obviously.

Poor thingSad

cozietoesie · 03/11/2016 14:50

I love the way vets just say - in a throwaway fashion - 'Oh - and bring us in a urine sample as well'. Grin

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/11/2016 22:39

Well I had to go out all afternoon so couldn't take the sample even if she did one. She's out now as normal.

I will pop into the vets and ask.

I will have a look into the Cystaid. Thanks for the tip.

I actually queried with the vet whether people actually managed with the crystals and they seemed to think everybody got one no problem. Confused

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 03/11/2016 22:42

Yeah, right!

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 03/11/2016 22:46

Vets pants were on fire possibly.

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 03/11/2016 22:52

Hmmm is that Katcor you have? Our cat was fine at first but now will not pee in it at all. We only needed samples to check for ketones (diabetic cat) so lesstime critical. I did have to use a puddle by the cat flap for one sample. New vet suggested lentils which as they are more natural. Fine but an overnight pee gets soaked up a bit.
Amazes me how long a cat can hold on and the amount that comes out in comparison to their size!

Catzpyjamas · 03/11/2016 22:53

Hi Sparkling, there's some good information on icatcare.org. I suspect that if there's a chance the cystitis is stress related, the vet would prefer not to increase those stress levels by catheterising Sparlkingcat.
Pyjamacat gets Cystophan for Feline idiopathic cystitis. Poor stressy boy.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2016 07:01

YY Katkor Vino. No success overnight. Sad

At the moment as I am not able to immediately speed a sample to the vets I can't keep her in til she goes.

DH is suggesting keeping her in all day tomorrow while we are around and just waiting it out. His worry is that if we aren't here she will just wee in inappropriate places to avoid the uninviting litter tray.

She seems absolutely fine still. Not in any pain and not at all stressed. She isn't overly bothered by fireworks so that's good.

I do need to go and speak to the vet.

I will have a read up thanks Catz.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 05/11/2016 15:14

Hurrah! We didn't let her out this morning, left her in the hall with the tray and ignored all pleas to go out.

Popped out of the house to take DS somewhere, got back to a litter tray full of wee (there must have been half a litre at least). Unfortunately she also got the carpet, but hey we have a sample. Plus it did not have even a tinge of blood in it.

So it's in the hands of the vets and we are to expect a call later today or tomorrow morning.

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 05/11/2016 15:15

Well done!!

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 05/11/2016 15:18

Thanks Dame! It has made my day TBH.

DH pointed out that she must have been standing in the wee at one point, but I am trying not to think of little wee soaked paws on the carpet. Grin

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 05/11/2016 15:22

Is there any chance she could have eaten something that would colour her unrine? I only ask because my pup once peed bright red pee. After a lot of stress, it turned out to be food dye from a pack of treats he'd eaten.

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 05/11/2016 15:50

I don't think we can rule anything out really, especially with me buying loads of different foods for her to try.

My Mum wondered whether a tom cat had got her and tried to mate with her. Shock She is a neutered nearly ten year old female so don't think she's giving off the right signals/scents for that.

OP posts:
Catzpyjamas · 06/11/2016 23:15

Sparkling, did you hear from the vet?

Original poster
Sparklingbrook · 06/11/2016 23:18

Thanks for asking. Heard nothing yesterday so went in this morning as I was passing. Receptionist said the test had been 'run' but a vet hadn't looked at it yet. Both vets were with patients.
So they said they would ring this afternoon. But nothing. Grr.

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