Constipated kitty? **UPDATE**

[Hellojosie]

For the past two nights in a row, Stewie has been making frequent trips to the litter box, spending more time in it than usual, and nothing seems to be going on when he's in there (although I have been scooping and everything has been normal). Could he possibly be constipated?? He seems fine health-wise- he's eating, drinking, playing, "talking" to us as usual. I pushed around on his belly last night and he didn't mind in the least. When we're not around the litter box (we keep one in our rec room where we all spend the most time) he doesn't seem to make these frequent trips. Since he's seem ok in all other aspects, I'm not sure if a trip to the vet is necessary just yet. We hate to put him through the trip unless we absolutely need to as he completely freaks out at the sight of the carrier and stresses the whole ride there. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for what might be causing him to hang out in the litter box like this??

[Freedom]

That is usually the main sign of a UTI - urinary tract infection or a blockage. And a vet visit is in order asap, as those get life threatening really quickly.

[Barbiecat]

I agree, get him to the vet NOW! This is nothing to fool with.

[columbine]

Definitely time to go to the vet! You seem to have caught it early, which will help.

Love, Columbine

[Hellojosie]

I figured we should bring him in regardless, even though he'll hate us for a day. So, yes- first thing tomorrow morning he'll be taking a ride to the vet. I'm stopping tonight to get him a new carrier- one of the duffel bag kinds. He likes laying in luggage whenever I go on a trip, so I figured it might be somewhat easier to get him in a duffel carrier. I hope we did catch it soon enough and it's easily treatable! I'm comforted by the fact that he's at least been acting normal and doesn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort just yet. Hopefully we'll nip that right in the bud!

[ratdogg]

That is usually the main sign of a UTI - urinary tract infection or a blockage. And a vet visit is in order asap, as those get life threatening really quickly.

freedom hit the nail on the head. I've heard of symptoms of a blockage being described as frequent trips to the litter box with nothing comming out. I've also heard of people mistaking constipation for a urinary tract infection or blockage. If it is something extremely serious like that I'd say get the cat to a vet immediately.

[Hellojosie]

If I can manage to sneak out of work early today, I'll be heading straight to the store for the carrier & then Stewie will go to the vet this afternoon. I'm not sure how long our vet is there tonight. He so far is not in pain and doesn't seem uncomfortable, so if I can't get him there tonight he's going first thing in the morning.

Thanks, everyone! Please think some happy thoughts that this isn't serious and that it won't GET serious...

[Barbiecat]

DO sneak out early, everybody else in the USA will be!

[wolflady]

Definitely sounds like a UTI. Let us know how Stewie is doing after his visit to the vet!

**hugs**

[Hellojosie]

Ok, well I just called my vet, and unfortunately she's already left for the day. Crap. I'm getting out of work early, even- the boss said to go home since it's a holiday weekend. But we'll just keep an eye on Stewie tonight and if he starts to act like he's in major pain we'll try an emergency vet. Otherwise we'll get him to our vet first thing in the morning tomorrow. The vet assistant I talked to didn't seem too concerned since I told her he's been acting like his normal happy self besides the multiple trips to the litterbox. I'll keep you posted!

[Medusa]

Yes, trust your instincts and take him to the vet anyhow, regardless of the vet assistant's lack of concern. Your kitty can develop problems quickly if it's a UTI. And w/the long weekend coming up, you don't want to run into the problem of not being able to find a vet. Let us know how it works out. Hopefully, all will be ok. Keeping fingers and paws crossed.

[CathyBogart]

Is he producing urine??

[krazyaboutkatz]

I sure hope that it's nothing serious and that he'll be okay. My Storm had the PU surgery because he became blocked 2 times. Yesterday morning I caught him peeing very small amounts of urine and he kept jumping in and out of the litterboxes. He was also acting normal so if I hadn't seen this I would have never known that anything was wrong with him. He also didn't seem to be in any pain.

I called my vet's office and they told me to bring him in right away and that even though he had the PU surgery, he could still be blocked due to scar tissue. Luckily he wasn't blocked but he most likely has a UTI and I'm still waiting to hear the results of his urinalysis and bloodwork. He's taking medicam for 3 days and bayrtil for 10 days. Please get your cat to the vet asap.

[Hellow]

Yes, my dog will be going to the vet to get her annual shots sometime next month.

[Hellojosie]

Stewie made it through the drive to the vet this morning and is doing fine. He was in & out of the litterbox a lot less last night, and he's been peeing a little bit here & there. The vet wanted to get some urine to send to the lab for tests, but apparently Stewie wouldn't cooperate with that. So, we got some Albon tablets to give him every 24 hours, and the vet said if he doesn't seem to get better in a few days to bring him back in. So far today he's been fine, not in & out of the box hardly at all. I hope this means he's in the clear...or at least getting there. We'll definitely keep an eye on him these next few days!