Distressing, unusual behaviour

[Tj]

Hi there, I'm new here and would like advice.

My female housecat has suddenly started urinating in the bath, with signs of blood. She's spayed, aged 10 and although aloof for the first 7 years since rescue, became affectionate and slept on my bed for the last 3. She now seems solitary and doesn't socialise.

Nothing has changed in the house and she has access to fresh water and eats wet food with a separate bowl of dry biscuits. There are two large litter trays which are cleaned immediately, with full change twice per week.

She's acting very oddly. Totally out of character. With the current situation, the vet is consulting over the phone. He just said she's probably stressed. My instinct is to change vets and see if anyone will check her over.

Any ideas? Am I missing something obvious? Please be kind, I'm worried sick.

Thank you in advance x

[Mollycat]

I think you're right to be worried and go looking for a new vet. With cats there's no such thing as "just" stressed it can cause some very physical and significant illnesses (as it can in any species really) and peeing blood in inappropriate places, for any decent vet, should be important enough to warrant a thorough check-up. Don't be fobbed off, there are more helpful vets out there.

[booktigger]

I'm really surprised a vet would dismiss urinating in an unusual place, especially with blood, as that is classic UTI and you could take a urine sample up to be tested without taking the cat. But I would be looking for a new vet

[fjm]

I suggest getting a urine sample tested, if necessary finding another vet to do it, just in case it is bacterial rather than, as is more common in cats, stress related. Whatever the cause it is at best uncomfortable for your cat and at worst very painful, so vets will usually prescribe pain relief like Metacam. Battersea have a helpful page: https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice ... titis-cats

[Mollycat]

I went looking and can't find a reference now but I'm sure I remember reading something somewhere sometime about specifically peeing into water - sink, bath, toilet (except where trained to do that) and even their ow water bowls - being linked to UTIs. I can't remember why the water though, all I can find now is that some Bengals prefer to pee into water like jungle cats and their wild cousins. Anyone confirm or correct me on the UTI / peeing into water connection?

[Tj]

Thank you so much everyone. I truly appreciate your support. I didn't want to seem over protective. I have rang a different vets and they are going to get the vet to call me back.

Huge thanks again xxx

[fjm]

I decided some years ago that I would rather err on the side of caution and occasionally call the vets unnecessarily than lie awake all night worrying. On the whole it works - if whatever-it-is turns out to be minor then I know how to deal with it next time; if it is the start of something more significant then it is caught as soon as the symptoms start. A sympathetic vet will always listen to you - you know your cat best, and if she is acting out of character it is a sign that she is in distress.

[Mollycat]

I decided some years ago that I would rather err on the side of caution and occasionally call the vets unnecessarily than lie awake all night worrying. On the whole it works - if whatever-it-is turns out to be minor then I know how to deal with it next time; if it is the start of something more significant then it is caught as soon as the symptoms start. A sympathetic vet will always listen to you - you know your cat best, and if she is acting out of character it is a sign that she is in distress.

Can't back this up enough - even in this current pandemic we scuttled off to see the vet last night at short notice, as my post-op dog seemed to be regressing a little with his leg. Vet put my mind at rest that it was just the sum of increased exercise and reduced painkillers and he was just fine, I didn't even pay, I'm not sure if it's to be added to our next x-ray bill in a couple of weeks or if a little panic is just part of the aftercare.

[fjm]

Poppy's been backwards and forwards to the vet more often than I like to think of in the last few weeks. Two appointments for torn ligament, one for cystitis (presumed bacterial as she is a dog rather than a cat), and another phone call and dash over for more antibiotics yesterday when the cystitis I hoped was cured flared up again. Plus several other phone calls, including one on a Sunday morning.

Increasing the intake of fluids can help cystitis. I cook chicken breasts in plain water to cover, then freeze the resulting unsalted stock in ice cube trays. One dropped into warm water to make a weak broth is far more appealing than plain water, and may encourage your cat to drink more.