One of my cats is ill.
By nancyrowina
@nancyrowina (3850)
July 12, 2008 8:45am CST
I'm really worried about Tabitha one of my cats, she is trying to pee in places other than the litter tray but very little is coming out and now there's blood in it. It's the weekend so taking her to the vet will be even more expensive, I'm going to try and ride it out till Monday. I'm just going to go out and get some bottled water and cat milk to encourage her to drink as that's what is recommended in various places online. She doesn't seem to be in pain and I don't think she has a blockage so it's not going to do her anymore harm to wait till then. I've read about this natural remedy online:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350076558771&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:uk
and would like to try it as it has lots of positive testimonies and apparently vets usually don't help much in situations like this they just charge you for antibiotics which often don't work.
Has anyone else's cat had anything like this and can you offer me advice for things to do to make her comfortable until I can get her to the vet on Monday?
7 people like this
27 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Jul 08
Sounds like a bout of cystitis to me....I found a great website all about this--it even includes natural remedies for it...a common thing to use when people get cystitis is cranberry juice. Even this website says something about it
http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-urinarytract-problems.htm
2 people like this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
13 Jul 08
Yes that's what the vet said when I spoke to him yesterday, thanks for the link.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Thank you for the br...how is Tabitha now...any better??
@pumadextrose (10)
• Philippines
13 Jul 08
I could feel that you really love cats.I also have a cousin her name is Leila Salinas she lives in St. Cloud Minnesota. maybe she can help you with your problems about cats since she is also a lover of cats.When you get to talk to her please send her my regards a cousin from the Philippines.Till next time
2 people like this
@pumadextrose (10)
• Philippines
13 Jul 08
erssyl requested to add you as her friend.I also responded under pumadextrose thats my mistake.Hope i get corrected.
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
13 Jul 08
Hi nancyrowina, I am very sorry to hear about Tabitha, I know what it's like to have a sick cat. I hope she will be fine again soon. It's the first I've heard about natural remedies for cats, but since I have two, I should check it out. My cats haven't had a problem like that as yet, so I'm afraid I can't be of any help there. Keep us updated on Tabitha's progress. Blessings.
2 people like this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
14 Jul 08
The one I linked too has some positive write ups, but you have to sprinkle a pinch of the grains into the cats mouth which would be a challenge.
@bluemars (952)
• Australia
12 Jul 08
I am really sorry to hear about your cat, i have two pets and I love them so much and would be stressed out myself if they had to endure any pain or discomfort. There should be plenty of things online to help clean out her insides or find out what causes this and that is why I advise to keep looking and I am sure something will turn up. I heard that apple cider vinegar is even good for animals in small doses but I don't know too much about it but I think they just mix a bit in with their water. It is I think cleansing some how.
2 people like this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
12 Jul 08
I've just spoken to a vet and going to take her tomorrow morning I just have to make sure she drinks plenty. he said it's probably only cystitis which is a relief as some things with similar symptoms can be fatal.
2 people like this
@bluemars (952)
• Australia
13 Jul 08
Oh I don't know much about that but I do hope your cat recovers well. I know how hard it is when you have an animal you love that needs much care. I don't know what your cat is and I hope that it goes away, it is good if it is some how treatable too. I do thank god for vets but I also wish they were more affordable, I mean if they were I think more people would use them so in the end they could make more money that way.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
12 Jul 08
Your cat has crystals in her bladder (much like our kidney stones). Since there is blood in her urine, it IS a serious matter! You really should get her to the vets as soon as possible!
I had a cat who did the same thing, with the same symptoms. I was told to bring him in as soon as possible. They had to put an I.V. needle into his leg to rehydrate him because he was severely dehydrated, and also for antibiotics. Your cat probably is, too!
He was kept in the hospital overnight. Once there is blood in the urine, your cat can quickly develop an infection, which she probably already has. This can turn extremely serious in a very short time!
Please don't wait! There is nothing you can do while waiting to make your cat more comfortable. She needs the vet NOW! Take her to an emergency vet A.S.A.P.!
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
12 Jul 08
She's not acting like she's ill right now but I may take her to the vet anyway as it could happen suddenly and then be too late, I'm definitely going to at least call the vet now and ask if they think I should bring her in.
I just spoke to a vet and he said it's probably cystitis as it's very rare for female cats to get obstructions (which is probably what happened to your cat), and I should just make sure she drinks plenty tonight and I have an appointment to see them tomorrow. I'm relieved he didn't say I have to rush her in anyway as that would be very stressful and I'd hate to lose her yet as she's only 5.
1 person likes this
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
13 Jul 08
Your kitty has a urinary tract infection. One of my cats went thru this awhile back. One thing you can do right away is change the dry cat food you feed them. Switch to a brand that says it helps with urinary track problems. I can't think of the name of it (its late, lol) but it says right on the bag. Also, I wouldn't recommend milk, I'd suggest just plain water until you can get your cat to the vet. They will need to get kitty on antibiotics right away. Good luck!
2 people like this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
13 Jul 08
It's not normal milk it's especially made for cats it's had the lactose removed which is what is bad for them. She does have water too but doesn't drink enough of it so it's better she drink milk than nothing at all, and I'm giving her wet food with water added to try and get more fluid into her.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
8 Sep 08
she's better now she had to go to the vets twice and I've had to change her diet, it turned out to be urinary tract infection. these things are really hard to cure so I'm hoping it won't keep coming back.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
10 Sep 08
I'm feeding her a food that promises a healthy urinary tract so I guess it must be increasing the acidity. There's also a brand of food I sometimes get that has cranberry in it but I don't like the ash content listed so I don't get it that often.
1 person likes this
@luvstochat (6907)
• United States
12 Jul 08
I think I would get here into the vet even though it would be more expensive it sounds like she has a urinary tract infection it can start hurting her and waiting to long could be really bad. It could ruin her kidneys since there is blood in the urine please take her to the vet now.
2 people like this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
12 Jul 08
I have just spoken to a vet on the phone and have an appointment to see him tomorrow. He said it's probably cystitis as it's rare for female cats to get blockages which is what can be very quickly fatal. He also told me to just ensure she drinks plenty and I've bought cat milk and bottled water to tempt her which seems to be working.
1 person likes this
@LouRhi (1502)
• Australia
12 Jul 08
I hope that Tabitha is ok. My youngest has a toy cat called Tabitha. I wish I had some advice to give you but I have never really had much to do with cats. You are right not to be rushing her off to the vets, often common sense can prevail in these circumstances, antibiotics are often unsuccessful. I have found that with my dog, that many things are treated in a similar nature to humans.
Make sure that her liquids are up is a good ides. I hope that it is nothing serious and she recovers quickly
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
12 Jul 08
She's not acting ill and I got her some cat milk to encourage her to drink and seems to have worked, I also gave her wet food earlier. If she starts to behave like she's ill I'll take her to the emergency vet straight away.
1 person likes this
@vishalravale (107)
• India
19 Jul 08
Then act as the doctor directed.I hope it'll be well soon.good luck!!
1 person likes this
@Amber4106 (540)
• United States
12 Jul 08
I've never went through this with my cat, but I could only imagine how scary it would be. If there is blood though, I would get her to the vet now. I'm sure there's not a chance of her dying over the weekend, but it could cause irreversible damages to her organs. It's too bad you don't have a vet that would see her at regular charge. Have you checked into other vets or maybe some type of clinic? I hope everything turns out okay, but I wouldn't hesitate on getting her to see a vet.
2 people like this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
12 Jul 08
Seeing the blood really scared me but she doesn't seem to be in great discomfort, I've got some cat milk and bottled water to tempt her to drink and I saw her drinking the cat milk. The fact she is only peeing a small amount is worrying me too as that could mean she has a blockage, if that doesn't improve I will have to take her to the emergency vet.
1 person likes this
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
12 Jul 08
I am all about home remedies...but if there is blood in the little urine she is putting out I would definitely call the vet even if you choose not to take her in. I understand for some reason these emergencies come up on weekends when everything is closed. How old is she?
When we had an older cat our vet told us to give her Pedialyte (for babies) to help replace electrolytes...I cannot remember if she had little urine output or even blood in urine....but I do know she was dehydrated and they said this was the best thing for her.
But I still would call your vet come Monday morning.
Good luck for you and Tabitha.
2 people like this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
12 Jul 08
I went out and bought some special cat milk and bottled water to encourage her to drink, I've seen her drinking the cat milk and she's had some wet food. I was trying to get some concentrated cranberry extract in liquid form but all I could get locally is capsules with a liquid center I've given her some of that too as that's supposed to help. I'll definitely take her to the vet as I've read if not treated it could be fatal but if caught early is easily treated.
1 person likes this
@fluffnflowers (1594)
• United States
12 Jul 08
I'm sorry to hear about your kitty! Are there any vets in your area with office hours on the weekend? There are a couple near me that are open until noon on Saturdays with no extra charges. For UTIs, I think you're probably definitely better off trying antibiotics. You can prevent other UTIs with natural remedies, but there isn't much to take care of them, once they get rolling, from what I understand. Our vet suggested, last time our cat got a UTI, to feed her wet food with extra water mixed in so we knew she was getting enough water. You might want to try that so that her kidneys are working to flush all of that ick out.
Hope she's feeling better soon!
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
12 Jul 08
I got some special cat milk and some cranberry extract as that's supposed to help too, I saw her drinking the cat milk earlier so she is still drinking. I bought some wet food too I'll try mixing water with it too.
1 person likes this
@paisleylass (440)
• United States
13 Jul 08
I would take her to the vet. She probably has a urinry tract infection. Cats are prone to them especially if they eat large amountsof dry food. A lot of home remedies are great but I would check her out at the vet first. Have you ever had a urnery infection? I have and they are very painful.
2 people like this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
13 Jul 08
I've never had cystitis but I've heard how painful it is so I'll get her to the vet first thing tomorrow, and just make sure she gets plenty of fluid for now.
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
12 Jul 08
Its sounds like it is easier an infection or a blockage. I had a cat that started doing this. I gave him cranberry tablets mixed with his food too. I thought it was helping, then I saw the blood and it scared me too. I took him to the emergency vet on a weekend. The vet said it was sort of like having kidney stones in the urinary tract. Its common for cats to get them. Female cats have a bigger tube then male cats, usually females don't have as much trouble. The male cats have more troubles, the stones get caught and then you have a blockage. With him he was blocked and was getting dehydrated and possible rupture. I ended up waiting to long to get him to the vet and had to have him put to sleep. If its possible to take him in instead of waiting thats what I would do. Good luck with your kitty, I am an animal lover too. It breaks your heart when you don't have the money to take them to the vet regularly.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
12 Jul 08
I do feel bad but the vet said it's nothing too major and I am going to take her in tomorrow or Monday. She is drinking so isn't getting dehydrated, when she gets some antibiotics hopefully it will clear up quickly.
1 person likes this
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
15 Jul 08
First off, sorry to hear your kitty is having trouble with her health, as a cat owner I know all about how upsetting it can be when you feel like not being able to help your kitty out.
I agree that this sounds like kidney stones, my eldest cat had this. They have little crystals in their bladder and it's a pretty serious condition.
They can be cured rather easily but it's best to get to the vet ASAP. Other people have allready told you more about kidney stones so I'm not going to write down the same again here.
My kitty started peeing in a lot of other places too, had urine in her blood and didn't seem al to happy. When she peed she looked in pain and so we went to the VET immediatly. When she was cured she started using the litterbox again which is a great thing, but most important she didn't have any pain anymore 
.
. @cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
15 Jul 08
That's great news! I'm glad she's feeling better.
Thanks for the update on her situation, she looks like a very sweet kitty.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
15 Jul 08
I went to the vet, she said it's just a urinary tract infection and has given her two injections so that's good news.
1 person likes this
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
14 Jul 08
oh dear that sounds like a UTI. it's urinary tract infection which female cats are quite prone to. what i did was force-fed my girl. she didn't want to drink so i took a syringe and forced her to. it's a little tedious but it really works. try to force feed around 5ml every time, once every two hours. it'll really help with the condition if it's still mild. i noticed my girl had a little difficulty peeing, and not much came out. so i quickly grabbed the syringe and started forcing her to drinnk.
i really hope tabitha will be alright. keep us posted ya 
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
14 Jul 08
I've been mixing bottled water with wet food and giving her cat milk to encourage her to drink which seems to be working as her urine flow has improved, we're going to the vet this evening to get antibiotics, I'll post when I get back to let everyone know what happened.
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
15 Jul 08
hi just wondering how is tabitha doing. Hope it is nothing serious. I know the heart wrenching feeling when our cats fall sick. I will keep tabitha in my prayers. She'll be fine with all the love you are giving her.
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
14 Jul 08
it sounds like some kind of infection, but i am not an expert...i am sure the antibiotics will help her get better, and the sooner the better. an at least she is drinking now, so that she isnt getting dehydrated until u take her to the vet.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
14 Jul 08
Yes she has been drinking and is improving but I'm taking her to the vet this evening anyway to get it cleared up for good.
@tessah (6617)
• United States
14 Jul 08
the symptoms youve described sound an awful lot like a problem one of my other cats had years ago. due to high ash content in the food i was giving him, he got crystals in his bladder.. which ead to kidney infections.. and because it wasnt caught in time by the idiot vet.. kidney failure, and he had to be put down. when you actually see BLOOD coming out of yer animal, it is your responsibility to get em looked at by a competant professional. same as if something was wrong with yer kid. not doing so is irresponsible and downright neglect.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
14 Jul 08
We're going to the vet this evening, I did speak to him on Saturdays and he said it sounds like cystitis which female cats are prone to, though I doubt that as she doesn't appear in pain when urinating which anyone who's had cystitis will tell you is very painful. It's extremely rare for female cat's to get the crystals you describe it only happens to males, I haven't seen anymore blood and it was only a tiny amount anyway, she is eating and drinking and has improved since Saturday.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
13 Jul 08
She seems better today, I'm going to take her to the vet tomorrow anyway.
