Could you call them? Maybe Marilyn C would have an answer if you could email her. She is one of the most knowlegable people here. wish I could help.

Do you use clumping litter there's lots of complaints about the cats getting blockages from the litter they get the dust on them and lick it, it gets into their system and clumps inside.

I don't know what you can do with out knowing what is wrong. Did you ask the person who was caring for them if they noticed any thing abnormal?
Does the stomach feel hard?

Honestly, I would not hesitate to get him to the emergency vet right now. If a cat is not normally sleeping in it's litter box and is now crying when you pick it up, that means something is wrong. You can't wait to have him evaluated or you may lose him.

Get there now....

Did you talk to your sister? Did she notice anything off about him? Blockages will kill them within a short time and/or cause severe kidney damage if not unblocked asap. I write from experience, we have a kitty who kept getting blockages and finally had to have PU surgery. Even though the vet is 30 miles away, I would take him now.

Please get him to the vet right away. It does sound like a urinary blockage.

I wonder if he could be constipated. My cat has had that happen -very painful to be picked up. I thought he was dying-the next morning he greeted me as if nothing ever happened! The other cat wouldn't poop the first time we ever went away. She was boarded-never boarded her again. Call the vet-I'm sure they have an answering service. Also-find out what was in the litter box while you were gone.

Yes, I'd take him to the vet tonight. Male cats can die from urinary blockages. I would be interested too if your sister had noticed your cat meowing or crying in the litterbox and if there were any urine spots in other places outside of the box... all signs of a UTI.

Sending good thoughts your way!

Why cannot you get him to the emergency vet tonight? I can tell that you care deeply. 30 miles isn't very far. It does sound urgent.

Sorry for not getting back. I am at the emergency vet. I just couldn't take the chance. They have him in the back. I am sure it is urinary related.
I am a wreck waiting to know what's going on. I can't stand not having him in my arms.
I have no children....he is my baby and my soul. He makes it all better when I am sad or sick.
He rescued me and got me through my lowest point in life: my divorce.
He has to be okay, just has to be.

Praying for you and your sweet little kitty.
((((hugs))))

keep positive thoughts..you did the right thing by getting him to the vet. thoughts and prayers are with you.

Checking on you and your baby.

So glad you got him to the vet and I'm sending you caring thoughts, as well as to your best buddy.............

I hope he's doing ok. Please let us know...

Salgal, I too am so glad that you got him to the vet. And I understand and feel your pain. Please update us when you can. I am praying that the news is okay.

Waiting to hear about your baby. Hoping for some good news.

Waiting and hoping! I'm glad you got him there.

Long night. They did all sorts of tests and procedures over about 5 hours. They let me hold him in between tests and results. He was so scared and stuck to me like we were glued.
After blood work, X-rays, IV fluids, enema, and who know what else we are home. No conclusive diagnosis.
We have anti spamadic drugs to relax his bladder and some amoxicillin in case of infection.
He is not sure this morning if he loves me or hates me, but we're home.
Thank you all for support and prayers. Hopefully upcoming appts with his regular vet will yield more clues.

So sorry you and he had to go through this. Hoping it's just "one of those things" that will leave as mysteriously (and quickly) as it came.

So glad to hear that he is better. Came straight in here with my coffee to see if there was any word...good to here is better.

I was sure it was going to be bladder issues, since he was in his litter box.

I wonder now if perhaps he has a pinched nerve or some issue in his neck or back?

I'm so glad you took him, regardless. A crying cat is a bad sign. Most cats hide it when they are in pain so if they can't hide it, the pain is usually very severe.

I hope your boy makes a full recovery!

He seems very pensive this morning. Wants me near him, but seems to not trust me. I understand why!
His regular Dr. called me this morning to see how he is. I thought that was especially nice.
I really should go to work, but I just can't leave him.

So glad you're home together. It's like a little baby. You feel so helpless because they can't tell you what's wrong. I'm sure kitty is just as frightened as you. I hope he's feeling better and that this just passes as some mysterious episode.

I wouldn't go to work either. Hugs him close. Poor baby! I've seen what that can do to sweet boy kitties up close and personal. Hugs to you both!

Glad to hear you took him to the vet (he's a cutie). I've had cats for over 40 years now and have seen them through some health issues.

If you are using a clumping type litter, the litter and it's dust can cause urinary tract irritation in males. It doesn't always happen and it doesn't happen to all of them. When they get that irritation, it mimics a UTI but with no infection. Pain urinating, frequent urination, bad litter box habits etc. My old man was 18-1/2 when kidney failure finally claimed him but we spent the better part of 18 months trying to figure out the UT issue. Had been using clumping litter for years and it just started bothering him. If you're using clumping, go back to clay or other natural non-clumping litter and see if that helps.

Right now, he's probably associating the pain with you being gone and then going to the vet. He'll be fine. Cats are creatures of habit so once the routine restarts, he'll warm up to you again.

Please keep us posted on his progress.

Its good you are home to see that he is eating, drinking, and using the litter. Its worth missing a day of work to make sure he is OK. Hope you at least find out what it was. Sometimes, you never know. DId you get all of the lab results back last night or are you waiting on some? Is he taking his pills OK?

So glad to read he is okay. I am surprised it wasn't a blockage, but that's good news. Did you have a chance to ask your sister if he seemed to have any problems while you were gone? Best wishes for both of you.

boy do i know how kitties are your best pal...my ashly isn't too happy with me, but bless her is happy on her special place outside (on the porch) after being in the mini-van for off and on for several days...i don't have anyone to feed her while we're gone so she goes...next time though if necesary, will get something for her tummy she threw up several times (first time for that)

your baby might not mind if you're gone and has a quiet house for a few hours...the trauma of the vet, might go away faster? hope he has a good day today..i hadn't heard about the clumping litter..i've never liked it, so don't use it...

My sick boy resting - but not sleeping - in my arms.

awww, so sweet. I hope this restful place makes him better.

awwww poor baby he looks like he doesn't feel good. I would have stayed home too. I am sure glad it was not something life threatening. I mentioned the litter in my original post, I couldn't use it at all with mine and my vet hated the stuff, recommended all his patients with not be exposed to it. That was all I needed to hear.

I hope your baby is back to normal soon.

Hope he continues to improve!
Poor thing.

Oh what a sweet little face. I hope is has a total recovery very quickly. They do become like our kids don't they?

Yesterday i was really worried I was going to lose him. All day he layed lifeless; wherever I put him, he collapsed.
Even picking him up was like picking up a wet raggedy ann doll. He never closed his eyes, just stared into mine looking extemely sad.
So, I scheduled another vet appointment for this morning.
I cradled and held him all day...well past midnite.
Then we went to bed...him beside me, under my arm.
At some point he got up and went downstairs.
This morning he was waiting for me to pick him up and he kissed and snuggled me with wild abandon!
I would say he is feeling better! He ate and drank this morning and I saw him in the litter box...yay!
Thank you all for your kind words, prayers and encouragement...keeping a close eye on my buddy.

(because the vet stresses him so much, I am pushing it off for a couple days, but still need a following urinalysis)

...one very happy (and tired) girl!

Wow--that's the kind of turnaround we always hope for! Great news!!

Oh, I'm so glad! And your heart must've soared this morning.

I understand not wanting to stress him out, but I think it's important that you don't let it go. Could you get a urine sample and take it to the vet so that he doesn't have to go (if that's the only reason for going)?

Happy for you and your cat. I have four I love dearly and dread the thought of them getting sick. None are young except Henry who is six. My favorite cat in my life is 12. I love her so much it hurts ,so I completely get you and your feelings. I hope this was an anomaly and he is A-OK now. .

Great news! Could he have pooped after being extremely backed up? I completely understand about vet stress and the car ride. The only 2 other options I can think of is a mobile vet to get a sample (or maybe a vet tech coming to get it from your office)-would be worth the extra expense, or try googling how to get a 'clean catch' urine sample from a cat. If its a uti, it sounds like the meds are working!

Wonderful news, so glad he is improving. It does sound like he started feeling better as soon as the meds kicked in. The vets have no idea at all what might be going on?

This post was edited by petra on Tue, May 7, 13 at 14:24

Just checking in to see how she's doing. Glad everything's going well.

Glad to hear that he ate and drank and used the box. Hope he continues to improve, too! I know what it's like to worry yourself sick over a pet, it's a tough situation for both of you.

Once when i needed a urine sample from one of my cats, the vet gave me a little bag of some non absorbent special cat litter to put in the litter box. The cat will be able scratch around in it and it feels like litter, but the urine won't be absorbed. After the cat pees, you can just pour the urine in a bottle and bring it to the vet. No vet visit necessary for the urinalysis. Maybe you can see if your vet can do something like that? Good luck!

Abbey

I'm just now seeing this.....have been so busy the past few days, I haven't been on line much. I am so glad your baby is okay. I totally understand. I have fussed over and worried more about Favio than any cat I have had in a long time. I have a lot of cats, but I wouldn't say that I am very knowledgeable about them. (My area of expertise is waterlilies). ;) Tally is one of the most knowledgeable people on here about cats, I believe. Seems like often when cats get sick, it is urinary tract related though. I will have to post some updates on Favio soon and he has a "brother" now....Ralph or Ralphie.