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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

Worried about my cat

55 replies

trampoline123 · 14/11/2022 08:22

We will take him to the vet but just wanted to speak to all you cat lovers.

Merlin is our first cat and is 3, he's always been a flat cat with small space to roam on the balcony.

Anyway, he's always been really healthy and happy until Jul this year where we found blood in his wee. It was put down to stress as we had been away a lot as my partners mum died. The vet gave him antibiotics and it cleared up and there's been no issues since.

I woke up yesterday to find 3 piles of sick, looked like u digested food. He hasn't been for a pooh yesterday or so far today and I think he's struggling to urinate. I think he's had a few weds on the carpet and on the bed. His litter tray is clean, he's been hovering over it for ages and nothing comes out.

I noticed a week or so ago some more blood in his wee and on his pooh but was advised to keep an eye on it and it happened to clear up so the vet said not to worry about taking him in as sometimes that happens.

Thinking he must have a urine infection and be constipated but as this is my first cat I don't have much experience.

What's your thoughts?

OP posts:
CatChant · 15/11/2022 10:36

I am so sorry about your poor boy. He really does need that catheter urgently. I hope you can sort something out. Good luck.

Original poster
trampoline123 · 15/11/2022 13:40

He had a wee in his box on the way to the vet, there was a little bit of blood in it which they said is to be expected.

They said to keep an eye on it and my FIL will loan us the money if needs be.

If we got insurance now, it wouldn't cover future episodes would it?

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 15/11/2022 13:51

No because it’s pre-existing complaint now. Not everyone can afford insurance and it’s always something that happens to other people. Don’t beat yourself up about it.

It’s always been like this for pet owners.

Gemmanorthdevon · 15/11/2022 21:30

trampoline123 · 15/11/2022 13:40

He had a wee in his box on the way to the vet, there was a little bit of blood in it which they said is to be expected.

They said to keep an eye on it and my FIL will loan us the money if needs be.

If we got insurance now, it wouldn't cover future episodes would it?

I'm afraid not lovely, it's pre existing. But sounds like there's some bits you can do to reduce risk of it happening again.

Yes to an extra pouch. I give my boys 2 tins a day between them. Cats get a lot of their water from their food. They don't often like tap water as its treated. UTIs in cats that are predisposed to them, are more prevalent in those that are on the dry stuff.

If you think he is stressed, could you catify the rooms he spends time in? Let him get up high and out the way. There are lots of different systems available online that are designed to be wall mounted, or it could just be some simple wide shelves for him to make his own. It really makes a difference to them. The chasing must stop now though.

We put a cat flap in the attic bedroom door so ours had somewhere to get away from our dog and DS. They are absolute dicks when pissed off 😂

Gerwurtztraminer · 15/11/2022 22:01

I'm so sorry, hope he improves. For more water, if you don't already have a fountain I recommend one, I really think they encourage many cats to drink more. Aldi have the Catmate ones very cheap right now. I use filtered water as well, jfrom the Brita jug, and the fountains have a filter as well.

He definitely needs somewhere to get away from the kids and I agree with @Gemmanorthdevon to try and catify the space as best you can. Do you have a cat tree (I got mine for £20 off Marketplace) or some way he can get up high to the top of a wardrobe or tall chest? That will give him the option of hiding from the kids - who no matter how young need to be taught not to chase him or wake him up if sleeping, and how to recognise the signs he wants to be left alone.

thelobsterquadrille · 15/11/2022 22:44

Unfortunately, insurance won't cover you as it's a pre-existing condition now.

Based on my experience of two cats with urinary issues, I would highly recommend the following long-term:

Increase the amount of wet food he gets
Make sure he has lots of water sources
Give him cystease and D-Mannose tablets on a daily basis
Give him specially formulated food for cats with urinary problems (I give the dry and then normal wet food).

However on a short term basis if he can't urinate, your only option may be surgery.

SummerSazz · 15/11/2022 22:53

My (girl) black and white cat has this sometimes. First vets trip was expensive and included antibiotics etc.

Now the minute I see her struggling to wee she has tuna in spring water with extra water (tuna soup basically!) which she laps up. A couple of days of this (fed regularly through the day) and she's right as rain. Def think hers is stress too.

She's now 15 and thinking about it hasn't happened for a year or two I don't think. Hope Merlin is ok 🤞

thelobsterquadrille · 16/11/2022 07:53

Male and female urinary issues are very, very different though.

Male cats can block and die if they can't urinate - it's not as dangerous for females and the treatment options aren't the same either.

Original poster
trampoline123 · 16/11/2022 08:11

Hi everyone - thank you for all your comments and tips. He's doing well now and is weeing. We've stopped his dry food which I thought he'd cry about in the night but he was fine.

I'll get one of those water fountains too.

We do teach the kids not to chase him but they don't quite understand yet but we are consistent and say no you mustn't chase him, you must be kind to animals. We have baby gates on the room where his food and litter is and one on the front room so the boys can't get him but he often jumps over and wants to play but they take it too far and get hyper. Any tips on what else we can do or say is appreciated.

I think we are going to move one to our bedroom as he likes to chill under the bed most of the time.

He has had one of those tall climbing frames before but never used it. He often sits up on the windowsill in the bedroom.

We do rent so I'm going to start looking for a ground floor flat I think, can hopefully find something that's laid out a bit better for him.

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 16/11/2022 08:23

I think we are going to move one to our bedroom as he likes to chill under the bed most of the time.

This worries me a bit as generally that's not what they do when they're chilling. Hiding in small spaces is what cats do when they're nervous or scared or frightened.

When my cats chill, they're sprawled out in the sun with bellies in the air, or cuddled up with a person or on the bed, or hiding away on their own.

Gemmanorthdevon · 16/11/2022 09:16

trampoline123 · 16/11/2022 08:11

Hi everyone - thank you for all your comments and tips. He's doing well now and is weeing. We've stopped his dry food which I thought he'd cry about in the night but he was fine.

I'll get one of those water fountains too.

We do teach the kids not to chase him but they don't quite understand yet but we are consistent and say no you mustn't chase him, you must be kind to animals. We have baby gates on the room where his food and litter is and one on the front room so the boys can't get him but he often jumps over and wants to play but they take it too far and get hyper. Any tips on what else we can do or say is appreciated.

I think we are going to move one to our bedroom as he likes to chill under the bed most of the time.

He has had one of those tall climbing frames before but never used it. He often sits up on the windowsill in the bedroom.

We do rent so I'm going to start looking for a ground floor flat I think, can hopefully find something that's laid out a bit better for him.

Hopefully won't get flamed for this: but we came down on DS like a ton of bricks from word go. We told him that to so much as even " play" with the cats unless it's with a ball on a string is a no. Or else they would have to go live somewhere they can have peace ( empty threat ) and if, in the process of ignoring the cats signals to be left alone ( we taught him cat/dog body language) he gets bitten or scratched that's his business. And if he does it to the dog, he could get her taken away. If you ask my 6 year old what scared, upset, or tired animals do, he will tell you they bite you. And I'm lucky, I have two boy bruiser cats that take no shit! He would get paw punched the minute he steps out of line and he knows it. On their terms they are wonderful with him. But DS is incredible now. I would trust him with any animal. ( obviously supervised!)

I had them all before him. They were my world. He comes into it he damn well respects them.

Rented is hard. But I still endorse the shelves! And arranging furniture so he can get inside, and up to his litter and food without stepping on floor...then up to his chill space.

Hope he is comfortable today and your heart feels a little better. 💓

Ludo19 · 16/11/2022 12:18

Glad he's improving. It's such a worry when they're poorly.

Original poster
trampoline123 · 17/11/2022 21:22

thelobsterquadrille · 16/11/2022 08:23

I think we are going to move one to our bedroom as he likes to chill under the bed most of the time.

This worries me a bit as generally that's not what they do when they're chilling. Hiding in small spaces is what cats do when they're nervous or scared or frightened.

When my cats chill, they're sprawled out in the sun with bellies in the air, or cuddled up with a person or on the bed, or hiding away on their own.

He loves it under the bed, that's where he sleeps at night so wouldn't have thought he'd be scared or frightened then.

OP posts:
Original poster
trampoline123 · 17/11/2022 21:24

Yes, our cat will give them a little hit if they become too much which I don't tell him off for.

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 17/11/2022 21:35

He loves it under the bed, that's where he sleeps at night so wouldn't have thought he'd be scared or frightened then

So it's his "safe space" where he feels he can relax - but it's not good that he's under there most of the time (your words).

Sounds like he's hiding under there because he knows the kids can't get to him? Not a good sign really - cats should feel safe exploring their home.

FusilliFettler · 17/11/2022 21:45

I have to agree. The cat does sound stressed. I’ve always had cats and the only time they go under the beds or hide under the sofa was when they were first brought home or when fireworks go off.
Its clear you love your cat very much but I wonder if you’ve not quite tuned in on the stress signals as he’s your first cat.

There loads of good advice on these boards and lots of posters more than willing to help

Original poster
trampoline123 · 18/11/2022 07:46

Thanks. I am aware he's stressed at times but he does sit with us all and play with the kids up to a point.

Great advice on here so will implement the things I haven't already tried.

OP posts:
ofwarren · 18/11/2022 07:51

Do you have a PDSA near you?
If you are on certain benefits you can get your pet treated for free and a discount for further pets.
The discount is massive too. Our cat had two injections of pain relief and antibiotics and it was £2.50!
You don't need to live in the area either, ours is in the next town.

Original poster
trampoline123 · 25/11/2022 16:49

ofwarren · 18/11/2022 07:51

Do you have a PDSA near you?
If you are on certain benefits you can get your pet treated for free and a discount for further pets.
The discount is massive too. Our cat had two injections of pain relief and antibiotics and it was £2.50!
You don't need to live in the area either, ours is in the next town.

Thank you, I'll have a look at that.

OP posts:
Original poster
trampoline123 · 25/11/2022 16:52

Puss seems to have been doing well and weeing lots, the boys are even starting to leave him alone and play nicer.

We found blood in his urine again this morning :( called the vet and they are going to se whim Sunday to make sure he isn't losing weight. Found out he was on anti inflammatory and not antibiotics as I assumed...apparently as long as he's not straining it's fine. Doesn't sit right with me really. Will see what they say Sunday.

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 25/11/2022 18:07

Blood in the urine can "just" be stress - it doesn't necessarily indicate more serious problems but I'd definitely want him to be seen just in case.

Please ask the vet to take a urine sample to check for crystals - they don't always present as a blockage - they can look like a UTI. My youngest cat has them and he had multiple trips to the vets with blood in his wee/straining before one of them finally said he needed a sample checking.

That was almost a year ago and he's been fine ever since. He has a special diet and various supplements but we've never had any further issues with him.

Original poster
trampoline123 · 26/11/2022 08:19

We've taken him to the vet this morning for when it opens in the hope they will see him as we couldn't get an appt until Sunday.

He's had a bad night and he's struggling to wee, spent lots of time in the night trying to go but couldn't, making a weird barking noise too.

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 26/11/2022 09:24

Please, please ask them to check for crystals. I'm really surprised that hasn't been done anyway as he's showing all the signs.

They don't necessarily cause blockages so don't let the vet tell you that he's fine just because they can't feel a blockage.

Original poster
trampoline123 · 26/11/2022 09:39

His bladder has gone in to spasm again so they are going to put him under to empty it and will do an X-ray. Just want to find out why it's happened again

OP posts:
thelobsterquadrille · 26/11/2022 09:44

They need to take a urine sample and check him for crystals - they can cause bladder pain and spasm. Honestly, I know I sound like a broken record but it's essential they send his urine off for analysis.

Most male cats with repeat urinary issues have crystals in their urine - it's very common in male cats, especially neutered ones.

Some cases require surgery as there are too many crystals to dissolve by diet alone, but some cats just need a change in diet and they're fine.

But there are different types of crystals that require different diets which is why a urine test is so important.