Cat Chat Feline Forum

Just from browsing through these forums it seems that this problem is frighteningly common. I've just started experiencing it with my cat. I adopted Loki 2 years ago. He is about 3 years old now. Neutered male. His previous owner had let him roam outdoors, but he has been an indoor kitty for 2 years now, and he's adapted very well to it. Out of the blue, on Saturday (Nov 29), I woke up to him meowing loudly. He was doing little pees all over the house. Peeing a bit, licking himself, walking a few feet, then peeing again. Over and over. He has never done this before so it freaked me out and I immediately took him to the vet. The vet checked him for blockage, no blockage, checked his urine, no crystals. Some white blood cells in his pee. Vet started him on antibiotics and a medication to relax his urethra. She called me every day to give me an update and they were able to express his bladder but he would only pee tiny amounts on his own. They kept him overnight until Monday. They did another urine test on Monday and found trace amounts of blood, which the vet said is normal for the condition (cystitis) she thinks he has. After a HEFTY medical bill, I took him home on Monday and he's on 4 different meds. An antibiotic, a medicine for relaxing his urethra, a pain reliever, and homeopathic medicine (saw palmetto) that is supposed to help with urinary health. Two of the meds are pills, and the other two are drops. All are to be taken every 12 hours. He hates taking the meds, meows loudly at me and squirms every time. He seems to hate it more and more each time I give them to him. It's Wednesday and he seems no better. He's not peeing outside of the litter box anymore, but he'll sit in the litter box trying to pee, will maybe get a quarter size out, then reposition and try again, for several minutes. He is not eating much at all, he's pretty much refusing to eat regular cat food, but he will eat canned food in very small amounts. I assume some of this may be related to all the meds making him lose his appetite. Other than that he seems in good spirits. He's certainly not as playful but he'll still purr and follow me around the house, sleeps fine. He doesn't meow when he pees or show any signs he's in pain. I'm just concerned that things are not improving in terms of him being able to pee. Has anyone else dealt with this similar issue and how long did it take your cat to recover?

When you say he's refusing "regular" cat food but eating a small amount of "canned" food - do I understand that right that you normally feed only dry food which he doesn't want to eat right now? Dry food is known to cause issues with cystitis but also increase the risks of diabetes and problem weight gain when given as the main or only food. A good canned cat food has everything they need in terms of nutrition and water content (around 80% water is what they would get from their natural food) and on top of that they have a low need for water, though it should always be available of course. Because of this low thirst drive, many cats on a dry only diet don't take in enough fluids.

I can't help on the recovery part though, I only came across this problem once and unfortunately it was only the last in many other issues. Antibiotics can kick in after the course is completely finished sometimes though.

Has your cat's kidney function been checked?

No, I feed him wet food every day in addition to the dry food. I'm well aware of the importance of feeding your cat wet food in addition to dry.

Mollycat wrote: ↑Thu Dec 03, 2020 6:31 am When you say he's refusing "regular" cat food but eating a small amount of "canned" food - do I understand that right that you normally feed only dry food which he doesn't want to eat right now? Dry food is known to cause issues with cystitis but also increase the risks of diabetes and problem weight gain when given as the main or only food. A good canned cat food has everything they need in terms of nutrition and water content (around 80% water is what they would get from their natural food) and on top of that they have a low need for water, though it should always be available of course. Because of this low thirst drive, many cats on a dry only diet don't take in enough fluids.

I can't help on the recovery part though, I only came across this problem once and unfortunately it was only the last in many other issues. Antibiotics can kick in after the course is completely finished sometimes though.

Has your cat's kidney function been checked?

If he needs more fluids I have found weak chicken broth is a good way to get mine to drink more, and they will often eat the cooked chicken when all else fails. Just chicken, no salt or seasonings, in enough water to cover, simmered till well done.

Antibiotics can take several days to take effect but if you have concerns I would talk to your vet - he may need his bladder expressing again.