To go to the vet or not...

[DINKDisneyAddict]

Does anyone have any experience with their cat occasionally spraying while standing in her litter box? Her litter boxes are both clean. She usually pees in them just fine, but twice in the last week, she has sprayed just outside of the litter box. About a month ago, she did the same thing but stopped, so I thought she had just "missed" a couple of times. A few days ago, I saw her actually spray, tail quiver and all, right in front of me. Then I came home to it again tonight, ugh.

There have been no environmental or food changes. She gets tons of enrichment. She has only sprayed consistently once before, and that is when she was an outdoor stray. I took her to the vet, got her antibiotics for a UTI and it stopped. I will happily take her to the vet (going to call when the office opens in the morning), but I would rather not drop the $100+(+++?) only to be told it is a behavioral problem. She doesn't appear sick in any other way.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

TIA

 

[stargazertechie]

It may be another UTI if she had one before and the problem stopped after antibiotics.

It'll cost a lot more than $100 to clean your carpets if it IS another UTI and she starts spraying farther outside the box.

 

[DINKDisneyAddict]

Such a good point! So far it has been easy to clean up. Just the thought of cat pee in the carpet makes me sick to my stomach.

Her old vet (random vet at the free day at Banfield) didn't do any testing. She said, let's try the $20 antibiotics as the UTI is probably the problem, and if it doesn't clear up, we'll do the more expensive tests. It worked, so I didn't give it another thought. I didn't think it would happen again as she is inside full time now and on a mostly wet food diet. Is it common for indoor cats to get many UTIs?

 

[Lees3rwe]

Is she spayed? If not, that could solve the problem too. That is their way of marking their territory.

 

[DINKDisneyAddict]

Yes, she is spayed.

 

[kacaju]

Her old vet (random vet at the free day at Banfield) didn't do any testing. She said, let's try the $20 antibiotics as the UTI is probably the problem, and if it doesn't clear up, we'll do the more expensive tests. It worked, so I didn't give it another thought. I didn't think it would happen again as she is inside full time now and on a mostly wet food diet. Is it common for indoor cats to get many UTIs?

Yes, once a cat gets the UTI they seem to be prone to them. Call the vet!

Sorry...I know what it is like...i just dropped $300 at the Vet

 

[DINKDisneyAddict]

Ugh...thank you, but ugh. I've only been a kitty mom for a year and a half, so I appreciate the information and help. As my DH says, this is the most expensive "free" cat i've ever seen! The first time he saw me holding her, he said, I have a feeling this is going to cost me a lot of money.

Bahaha, I love my budget-minded DH!

 

[CinRell]

UTIs can be something a kitty is prone to. My little female was and she'd spray if she had it. If it solved the problem the first time, I'm guessing it will this time too Sounds like you're a good kitty mama Thanks for taking in a little stray baby

 

[andymattmom]

Ugh...thank you, but ugh. I've only been a kitty mom for a year and a half, so I appreciate the information and help. As my DH says, this is the most expensive "free" cat i've ever seen! The first time he saw me holding her, he said, I have a feeling this is going to cost me a lot of money.

Bahaha, I love my budget-minded DH!

Free or inexpensive kitties are the most expensive. I made a $10 donation to humane shelter for my kitty. He was ill right after we got him so that was over $100, then he hurt his leg and had surgery that was several hundred...but had to have done twice (2nd time no cost). Then he got diabetes...did insulin and shots for 1.5 years after a few hundred worth of testing and monitoring. Insulin for kitty is not cheap. Long story short...change from dry to low carb wet...magically he no longer has diabetes (is in remission for 1.5 years). This on top of normal vet visits, ear issues and fleas last summer and he is not outside much!

BUT the medically expensive baby has brought love and joy to us and we wouldn't trade him for anything.

take baby to vet.....get her well and love her lots!

 

[shortbun]

When a cat even acts a little sick, she's sick. Take her in.

 

[DINKDisneyAddict]

Thanks for all of the advice! You've put my "cheap", er frugal, mind at ease. It is the right thing to do to take her in, and I am not overreacting. Hopefully, they will be able to work us in very soon.

 

[AJKMOM]

The vet should also be able to recommend a type of food that helps with UTI's. Maybe changing her diet will help.

FWIW, our 2 - 16 year old "free" cats cost $382 at the vets last week. I feel your pain.

 

[DINKDisneyAddict]

Funny thing about the food is, I think we are doing about as well as we can with this. She is fed high-quality, our vet-approved, high-protein, low-carb, high moisture wet food twice a day (warmed in the microwave on high for exactly 12 seconds, smashed into bite-size pieces...slightly more than obsessive, I know). I thought she got it last time from lack of clean water and eating trash...literally. Well, like others have posted, she is way more than worth it. If this is our lot, it's a rather easy one to bear. Thanks again for the words of encouragement.

 

[firstcruise]

Ugh...thank you, but ugh. I've only been a kitty mom for a year and a half, so I appreciate the information and help. As my DH says, this is the most expensive "free" cat i've ever seen! The first time he saw me holding her, he said, I have a feeling this is going to cost me a lot of money.

Bahaha, I love my budget-minded DH!

I agree with all the posters take Kitty to the vet for UTI. My darling daughter has had them several times now and she does the exact thing you posted. Vet changed her food, to a much more expensive type, but it works after clearing it up.

On a side note, our "free" kitten came to use missing a hind Paw (born that way) and almost dead. We nursed him back to health and after putting on a little weight the bone broke through the skin where the paw should have been. Long story short the leg had to be removed, his infected eye had to be removed and add in some stomach issues to boot. At last count the total vet bills were over $5K and I stopped counting after that. He's just the most adorable cat ever! Money well spent. His sister on the other hand was a friends "opps" cat had kittens do you mind taking one. Well, her vet bills aren't anyone close to his, but she's been several times for UTI and gets expensive food now. I'd say in short order she'll be up there with him counting the special feed.

You really got to love your pets to spend that kind of change and I do!

 

[DINKDisneyAddict]

We have an appointment for 4 pm this afternoon.

 

[ancestry]

It really does sounds like an UTI to me. Glad you made the appointment.

 

[DINKDisneyAddict]

Home from the vet...$73.03 lighter in the pocket book, but with greater peace of mind and a bottle of antibiotics. Hopefully, this will clear it up. He agreed; all signs point to a UTI.

 

[maggieusa]

Thanks great
I took my dog to the vet today we left him all day and was charged $29.00 and he gave us to scripts and told us where to get them filled for free. I love my vet

 

[firstcruise]

Thanks great
I took my dog to the vet today we left him all day and was charged $29.00 and he gave us to scripts and told us where to get them filled for free. I love my vet

I would like to find this vet! LOL let's say my vet will say hello to you and charge $39 and if you walk in with no appointment $75. Fill prescriptions for free...Priceless!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Poor Kitty. She must feel miserable. Hope she feels better soon!