Hair in Stool, urinating more

[Karen]

Thanks so much Karen! Is it ok if I call them just to ask a question?

Yes. That's what they are there for.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Well I sure hope it's nothing serious. At first it just sounded like he/she had a hairball in his/her stool. Sometimes my cats will do this and it's normal. My cats urinate several times a day and this is also normal. A cat that holds their urine is more likely to get UTI's just like people that can't urinate very well. He/she may be drinking more water now so this is causing Paulie to urinate more. Try not to panic and hopefully the ER clinic will be able to answer any question you may have. Good luck.

[MyCatPaulie]

Thanks for the reply's everyone!
Karen, I called the clinic you suggested and they were very nice, they said if he's not throwing up and there isn't a piece of hair sticking out he should be fine. Thank you for suggesting to call there, it was a big help!
Catty1, thanks for the tip on being hydrated, I lifted his skin like you said and it went right back into place so that is great news.
krazyaboutkatz, thanks for the info. This happened at 11:30am unless he's acting different should I just wait and make sure he goes by 11:30am tomorrow. I hope he doesn't have a UTI, do you know the symptoms of that? Should I expect his stool to be back to normal or do you think it will still be soft when he goes again?

[Karen]

Thanks for the reply's everyone!
Karen, I called the clinic you suggested and they were very nice, they said if he's not throwing up and there isn't a piece of hair sticking out he should be fine. Thank you for suggesting to call there, it was a big help!

I am glad they were able to help you, they are open 24 hours a day year round just for this sort of thing. It's a wonderful, well-respected organization.

[MyCatPaulie]

I have never heard of them and they were very helpful, I apprciate you tellin gme about there service!

[krazyaboutkatz]

krazyaboutkatz, thanks for the info. This happened at 11:30am unless he's acting different should I just wait and make sure he goes by 11:30am tomorrow. I hope he doesn't have a UTI, do you know the symptoms of that? Should I expect his stool to be back to normal or do you think it will still be soft when he goes again?

Some symptoms of a UTI are when a cat strains to urinate and nothing or very little comes out, being in pain while trying to urinate, peeing very little (more like little dribbles than a normal round pee clump),sometimes there can be blood in the urine too. Just because he's been peeing a bit more than normal dosen't mean he has a UTI.

Since you've been changing his diet a lot, this is probably why he's making loose stools. I think that most or all of the Wellness food is also grain free so sometimes in the beginning a cat's body needs to adjust to this and they will either have some diarrhea or loose stools. It should become normal again within a week or two. I wouldn't worry too much unless it continues longer or he becomes dehydrated.

You can always call your normal vet tomorrow with any more questions that you may have. So is Paulie your first cat?

[MyCatPaulie]

Thanks krazyaboutkatz! Yes Paulie is my very first cat, we got him last June from the SPCA, he has been such a wonderful friend I just wish I could get him feeling better, if he's not itching it's somthing else . This mornin ghe urinated at 7am so that was good! I'm going to pick up his new prescription food at the vet's tomorrow so I am going to leave her a note then asking if he should be ok. Thanks again for your help!

[CatsMeow]

Ok I did some research and they either:

Swallowed a hairball
Ate human hair


or they might have a few problems (such as loose hair... or the mange)

The mange is where their hair comes of easily, and if they were grooming, some hair might have came off

[MyCatPaulie]

Thanks for your help! My vet prescribed a medication called metronidazole. Has anyone ever heard or used this before, I'm worried because she doesn't have diarrhea just soft stools that aren't formed also what if there is still a piece of hair stuck and this binds her up even more? She wants her to take it twice a day for five days. she also wants him to drink more water, does any one know of a special bowl cats like to drink out of. Thanks again!!!

[Catty1]

That medication is for any 'bugs' or bacteria that may be Paulie's digestive tract.

As for water, my cats get filtered water in stainless steel or ceramic bowls.

If Paulie eats wet food, mix it up with some warm water to make it a bit goopier - that's another way to get more water into her system.

I hope she feels better soon!