Question. Please read. (update: Doesn't seem good...)

**slleipnir** · 11-07-2006, 05:04 PM

I was cleaning out the litter box tonight, and right after I was done, Butter came along to do his business. I figured I'd wait, and clean it up too. I bet he sat there for over 5 minutes. I was thinking wow, he must have really had to go! Then after he got up, I went to clean it but nothing was there.

Earlier he was sitting oddly on the kitchen floor, which his tail up like he was going to pee. I found a drop on the floor. Then after I saw him in the box, I found him in the dogs toy box. I found a few drops there too.

What's going on? Every now and then one of the cats pee on my clothes or bed...could it have to do with what Butter is doing now? Should I wait and see if he keeps doing it before taking him to the vet? I really can't have him dripping pee everywhere...

(update at the bottom of the page 4)

**caseysmom** · 11-07-2006, 05:06 PM

I have no experience with this but from what I have read on here it sounds like it could be a urinary tract infection.

**Freedom** · 11-07-2006, 05:15 PM

Does sound like URI. Call your vet, explain to the vet tech and see what s/he says. Don't be surprised if they some in; straining is not fun!

**Crazy-Cat-Lover** · 11-07-2006, 05:23 PM

My oldest cat, Augustus, is prone to crystals and he has done the same thing a couple of times. He will leave little droplets of urine on the floor and strain in the litterbox for quite a while. He also walks around and squats like he is going to urinate - but only a drop comes out. It could be a blockage from crystals, I would take him to the vet ASAP. I adopted Auggy from a local vet - he was surrendered because of his crystals. He was almost dead when he came in because his previous owners ingnored the fact that he had been sleeping in his litterbox for a few days. He had a blockage and luckily the vet saved his life.

**Cinder & Smoke** · 11-07-2006, 05:31 PM

Those are the classic indications of a BLOCKED Urinary Tract!

Butter is starining to urinate - but nothing (or very little) is relieved ...
he's possibly suffering from a painful Urinary Tract Infection; or
the more serious condition of Blockage by a stone or crystals.

A BLOCKAGE won't wait - the build-up of urine can cause serious damage
and/or death!
If he hasn't successfully *pee'd* in the next couple of hours ...
He needs to be seen by a Vet or trained technician tonight.

I speak from experience

- Boots da Kat "plugged up" three times before we
surgically "fixed" the problem.

*WATCH* him like a hawk for a couple hours - if "no pee" - then find a Vet!

/s/ Phred

**slleipnir** · 11-07-2006, 05:34 PM

I called the vet, but they're closed....I'm not sure what to do! I don't know how long he's been like this, but he's not himself. He almost seems to walk funny, but that's probably my imagenation. It's already 7:30pm. I was going to make an appointment at the vet tomorrow for him.

**Laura's Babies** · 11-07-2006, 05:48 PM

I strongly suggest you find an emergency vet and get him there asap! This is life threantening and in the morning could be to late. I lost one to this and he didn't make it till the next morning.

(Your vet don't have someone on call to answer the emergency calls?)

**rg_girlca** · 11-08-2006, 04:00 PM

Coming into this a little late, but I am so happy to hear that your precious Butter is getting the care that he so needs.

Prayers on the way that Butter has a full and speedy recovery and that nothing serious is wrong with his heart.

((((((HUGS)))))) for his meowmie.

**slleipnir** · 11-08-2006, 04:06 PM

It's amazing how many people say they wouldn't spend $700-$1000 on their cat. One guy said he wouldn't even spend $300! I know it's a lot, but I spent more on a stupid camera, so how can I not for a living thing that I love so much?

**sandragonfly** · 11-08-2006, 04:07 PM

haven't been around until I saw and wondered who's that butter in kfamr's signature! so sorry it's YOUR butter-boy! never knew he was the shadow I know.

so glad you had him being looked at sooner and it's not life threatening. when you find out more about heart murmur - maybe you could talk with callie's mom, one of her cats had heart murmur before, I think.

keep butter around, I'd like to know how he's doing .. is he not himself still? give gentle huggles to your boy for me, please?

edit ~ ahh, don't listen to that lacky guy! stick to US, WE are here for you!

**slleipnir** · 11-08-2006, 09:33 PM

I really miss him! I'm just so worried it will come back.

I'm going to do everything I can to reduce the change...like food change, water fountain, more play time, make sure litter boxes are ALWAYS fresh. (I should probably dump the whole litter more often?)
urg, I just don't know what I'll do if he has a serious heart problem. Or what I'll do if this problem comes back. I know it's horrible to think, but either he gets the surgery or I just can't keep paying all this money everytime it comes back

I feel awful.

**jazzcat** · 11-08-2006, 10:09 PM

Poor Butter. I'm glad he is doing better and praying that he doesn't have a serious heart problem.

**columbine** · 11-08-2006, 11:34 PM

If you can find out what was blocking him - mucus, struvite, oxalate - that'll give you a better idea of how to keep it from happening again. Meanwhile, there's a vitamin called Cosequin that just strengthens the urinary system, and it even comes in chicken-n-fish flavor. You just open the capsule and sprinkle it over the cat's food. It's got glucosamine and chondroitin in it, which help strengthen the glycosaminoglycan layer to keep blockages from hurting your kitty's insides. Ask your vet about it, and also what showed up on urinalysis. Struvite's the most common, and foods rich in methionine help keep it from coming back.

Love, Columbine