my cat is sick

[Katie's Butterflies]

I don’t know whats going on. My poor cat has been acting weird for the last couple of hours. I finally figured out something was wrong and followed her over to a pillow on the ground where she kept going over to squat, like she was going pee (but wasn't). There was blood on the pillow. After I saw it, she led me downstairs where she tried to go pee in the litter box but nothing came out. She cried at me and then tried again. As soon as the vet opens, I’m going to take her in, but does anyone have any idea what might be going on? She was fine earlier! I don’t think she is in a lot of pain as she isn’t crying nor wanting attention. But she is uncomfortable and peeing blood! Is there anything I can do to make her feel better?

 

[BigEeyore]

Probably just a UTI. Less likely a urinary obstruction or kidney issue.
Try not to worry too much, cats get urinary tract infections a lot. She may need to change her diet, go on some antibiotics. She is going to be OK!

 

[Disneylover79]

First of I am sorry to hear about your kitty...the only thing I can think of is a urinary tract infection or a stone in her urethra (the tube the pee comes out of)...take her in and get her some meds....

I will say a prayer for your baby...

 

[pooh_bear.614]

Awww prayers for your kitty! My cat had that happen not too long ago. He is very old and has been blocked before. It ended up being blood clots in his urine. The vet had no clue how they got there and I wasn't willing to put him through more tests so he was sent home with some antibiotics and was purrrfectly fine.

 

[cinderellascastle29]

Aww your poor kitty! Mine is actually at the vet right now too (brought him in last night) because he is constipated. It happened about 6 months ago too, we'll probably just have to change his diet again and give him more antiobiotics. That might be what you have to do too. Prayers for both of our kitties!

 

[tictac]

Hope your kitty feels better soon.
Give us an update when possible.

 

[alliecats]

Your cat is so smart--she was showing you what was wrong because she knew you would help her.

Not a vet, of course, but it sounds like cystitis. Having had it as a person once, it is pretty painful but that part can be relieved pretty quickly once they get them on meds. Part of the problem is you have the feeling of having a full bladder, even after you've just emptied it. Then your bladder will spasm, which is also painful. I think it is the inflammation that causes that feeling. It is really just miserable. When my cat gets it she always 'lets me know' too.

I hope that whatever it is, she is feeling better already!!

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

I am very relieved to say the least!

I just got back from the vet with Patches (my cat). She is feeling so much better, but is a bit out of it. Thankfully, we were able to make an emergency appointment early this morning. They kept her all day to run some tests, but couldn’t figure out what exactly caused the blood. They did however discover that she might be diabetic. That was a surprise. We are still waiting for the test results of another blood sugar test to make sure it wasn't a fluke.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes, kind words, and experiences. I was panicking this morning and an emotional wreck. Your posts made me feel a lot better. Patches has only ever been sick once and that was just a really bad cold! Lol. All of our cats (Except one who had cancer) have lived to be over 20, so the thought of losing my kitty at 12 was heartbreaking. So

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

If she is diabetic, go to www.catinfo.org - there is a lot of very good information about what to feed, etc. Actually it is a good site for anyone with cats since it goes over nutrition basics. I had no idea the cat food I was feeding contributed to mine being both overweight and having recurring UTI. Please read the diabetes info before you get called by your vet. They will try to push prescription diets but if you read the articles, you should avoid those like the plague! Sending good thoughts to you and Patches (I would imagine she is a Calico? - I love Calico's!)

 

[Disneylover79]

http://felinediabetes.com/terms.htm This is the message board I used when my diabetic baby was still with us..they are great,smart, and very caring people....also please feel free to PM me if you need anything, because not only was a master to my diabetic kitty I am also a nurse practitioner....overall glad to hear your baby is feeling better....

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

Thank you both for the websites. When the vet said Patches is diabetic, I panicked. I know nothing about diabetic animals. I do know a bit about diabetes since both my parents are diabetic, but it’s very different than animals who can’t tell you what is going on. Plus, the thought of having to give her insulin is ?! I could barely give her an antibiotic pill. So I am so out of my league. I guess I need all the help I can get .

If she is diabetic, go to www.catinfo.org - there is a lot of very good information about what to feed, etc. Actually it is a good site for anyone with cats since it goes over nutrition basics. I had no idea the cat food I was feeding contributed to mine being both overweight and having recurring UTI. Please read the diabetes info before you get called by your vet. They will try to push prescription diets but if you read the articles, you should avoid those like the plague! Sending good thoughts to you and Patches (I would imagine she is a Calico? - I love Calico's!)

Yes, patches is a calico. She’s a real sweetie and cutie.
You are correct, the vet did push the prescription diet. I read the ingredients and couldn’t believe it. It was terrible! There was very little actual meat (ie mostly by-products) and a great deal of corn and soy. It was a lot worse than what I had been feeding her.


Disneylover79: Thank you for offreing some advice. I may just take you up on that.

I just can’t believe she is diabetic. She is not overweight. In fact, according to the vet she’s underweight (she’s 12.5lbs ). She is fairly active when she’s awake and she’s NEVER sick. I’m just very surprised, so thank you both for the info. I guess I really need it!

 

[alliecats]

Hey, I posted earlier about my cat and cystitis. I don't know if I mentioned, she also has diabetes, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. I was SO freaked out by the diabetes and shots and needles!! But it turns out the diabetes is way easier to treat than pancreatitis, which keeps it in perspective.

Having diabetes makes her more prone to developing bladder infections. She has had several.

However, infection and vet stress can elevate blood sugar levels. Did they tell you what her blood sugar is? Is the other blood sugar test you are waiting on a fructosamine test?

Does she eat dry food now? Some cats can go back into non-diabetic levels by eating low carb wet food.

I agree with both previous posters about both those sites. They are outstanding. I would have been a mess at the diabetes diagnosis without that message board!

Has she lost weight recently (12.5 pounds does not sound underweight to me unless she is a big cat frame-wise) and is she hugged up to the water bowl, hovering over it all the time? That is a big indicator for diabetes--the first we saw.

Sorry so many questions. I hope it turns out to be just an infection or if it is diabetes, that you can get it to subside with a low-carb, 'Catkins' diet. But if not, just know it IS highly treatable and she can live a normal lifespan with treatment.

Please keep us updated!

 

[imtheproof]

hope she gets better. sad to hear things like this.