Hi there,
I took my cat to the vet on Saturday after she had been drinking a lot more than usual for several days. They took blood and ran all the tests, and tried to get a urine sample. I have an overweight kitty (22.5 pounds), so they couldn't use the syringe to suck a sample out. In a lucky turn of events, Sabrina (my cat) had been drinking all morning and didn't get the chance to use the litter box before we went to the doctor, so she ended up peeing in her crate. Most of it was absorbed, but the vet grabbed as much of a sample as she could.
She said there was a small amount of blood in the sample she got, and that Sabrina most likely has a UTI. She gave Sabrina an antibiotic and planned to call me with the blood results on Monday.
Another thing the vet discovered was that while taking her temperature, she found blood, so after probing around, she found that Sabrina's anal gland was very enlarged and filled with "paste", rather than liquid. She squeezed a lot out, but said to expect some more drainage.
On Monday I got the call about the test results, and there's no diabetes or kidney failure, and they said the results were all normal.
This all leads up to my question. On Sunday and Monday, Sabrina was very happy and normal acting. Today, Tuesday, Sabrina's behind was very wet and dark looking, and she had a tiny bit of blood back there. Through the course of the day, she has not used her litter box at all, and I found 4-5 little "presents". Very small pieces of kitty poo - in the two upstairs bedrooms, and a bit on her butt. I cleaned her up, and she's eating normally, and drinking still more than usual.
Could this be an effect of the antibiotic? Could it be more "drainage" from her anal gland? I know she could have peed in a corner, but it's VERY unlike her to not use her litter box, even when she's sick, so it would appear as if she hasn't peed all day.
The antibiotic she is on is Clavamox, 125 mg.
Any ideas till I can get her back to the vet Wednesday evening?
Thanks!
Cat with urinary tract infection
Re: Cat with urinary tract infection
sometimes antibiotics can upset the stomach...or the inflamed anal gland can be causing discomfort to where she was not wanting to have a bowel movement and holding as long as possible, causing the firmness...
Can you get her to the vet before Wednesday evening? Be sure to mention all you said here to your vet, and if you can, get a fresh stool sample as well...
let us know how things go
Can you get her to the vet before Wednesday evening? Be sure to mention all you said here to your vet, and if you can, get a fresh stool sample as well...
let us know how things go
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Auntie Debbie
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Re: Cat with urinary tract infection
Question...if the vet said there was blood in the urine, how could the test results come back normal? It should show at least a UTI, not necessarily diabetes, etc.
After all that probing, she could be associating elimination with pain, which could cause her to avoid her box. Antibiotics can cause softer stools, especially Clavamox (usually would cause nausea and vomiting), but the mess you are looking at on her hind quarters could be the drainage from the anal glands. If it is, you would know it because it has a vile odor, much like bad fish.
I would definitely have her rechecked with a fresh urine sample taken and tested. Was any blood work done? That would be the detection on renal disease.
After all that probing, she could be associating elimination with pain, which could cause her to avoid her box. Antibiotics can cause softer stools, especially Clavamox (usually would cause nausea and vomiting), but the mess you are looking at on her hind quarters could be the drainage from the anal glands. If it is, you would know it because it has a vile odor, much like bad fish.
I would definitely have her rechecked with a fresh urine sample taken and tested. Was any blood work done? That would be the detection on renal disease.
Kitty kisses,
Debbie
____________________________________
"Those we shelter on earth will be our treasures in Heaven." Victor Hugo, I think
Debbie
____________________________________
"Those we shelter on earth will be our treasures in Heaven." Victor Hugo, I think
Re: Cat with urinary tract infection
How old is Sabrina?
First of all, the best urinalysis results are achieved from a fresh, uncontaminated sample. Free-flow samples are not always the best, and can be contaminated moreso than anything. Plus, if she didn't test the urine directly after collecting it, it probably became contaminated because it was inappropriately handled or inappropriately stored prior to testing (temperature can greatly affect the sample), thus rendering inaccurate results.
Get a fresh urine sample today, a cystocentisis is best, and there's no reason her weight is prohibitive in achieving this -- expressing the bladder can also be useful, as long as the urine is tested immediately. If the vet is that inexperienced, see a new vet promptly. Also ask the vet to evaluate her hydration status.
If you've been getting regular care and checkups for Sabrina, why hasn't the vet addressed her weight? A weight management program should be initiated if she is obese. This must be done slowly, cautiously and carefully however, with appropriate diet, feeding schedule and implementing mild exericse. Do not do this on your own, the vet needs to form a weight management plan specific to her needs, full bloodwork needs to be done prior so that all vital organ function is monitored prior to starting any weight management.
Infected anal glands are painful, and even though it seems she is producing stool, she could be holding her urine because urine scalds skin. If the wetness was urine, you would know that via smell....infected anal glands or anal gland secretions are very foul smelling, you can easily distinguish it.
What are you feeding her? Infected anal glands are most often caused by straining, due to inappropriate diet. Her weight could also be a factor in this, so both her diet and weight need to be addressed.
First of all, the best urinalysis results are achieved from a fresh, uncontaminated sample. Free-flow samples are not always the best, and can be contaminated moreso than anything. Plus, if she didn't test the urine directly after collecting it, it probably became contaminated because it was inappropriately handled or inappropriately stored prior to testing (temperature can greatly affect the sample), thus rendering inaccurate results.
Get a fresh urine sample today, a cystocentisis is best, and there's no reason her weight is prohibitive in achieving this -- expressing the bladder can also be useful, as long as the urine is tested immediately. If the vet is that inexperienced, see a new vet promptly. Also ask the vet to evaluate her hydration status.
If you've been getting regular care and checkups for Sabrina, why hasn't the vet addressed her weight? A weight management program should be initiated if she is obese. This must be done slowly, cautiously and carefully however, with appropriate diet, feeding schedule and implementing mild exericse. Do not do this on your own, the vet needs to form a weight management plan specific to her needs, full bloodwork needs to be done prior so that all vital organ function is monitored prior to starting any weight management.
Infected anal glands are painful, and even though it seems she is producing stool, she could be holding her urine because urine scalds skin. If the wetness was urine, you would know that via smell....infected anal glands or anal gland secretions are very foul smelling, you can easily distinguish it.
What are you feeding her? Infected anal glands are most often caused by straining, due to inappropriate diet. Her weight could also be a factor in this, so both her diet and weight need to be addressed.
..........Traci
Re: Cat with urinary tract infection
Hi everyone!
Thanks so much for your responses. Here are some answer to the questions:
Sabrina is 9 years old.
The vet has actually had her on a weight loss diet for quite awhile - she's been on low cal kitty food since she was 6 months old! We're about to switch to a prescription one but we're waiting till she feels better.
That's a good point about the test results coming back normal even when they detected blood in her urine. I'm not sure how that happened.
I think that the leaky part on her behind is from the drainage - the vet did say it would probably continue draining - but it doesn't smell gross. It doesn't actually smell like much of anything.
Good timing - the vet actually just called. She said it's probably her gland still draining, and that the file says her left gland was infected. I must have either misheard or misremembered the original diagnosis. So the antibiotics are for that. They also mentioned that the antibiotic could be making her stomach hurt a little, but if she's eating and drinking normally (she is), then that's good.
So I'm going to see how the antibiotic does, and see if the drainage stops, and if it doesn't, they're going to see her again on Saturday.
Thank you everyone!
Thanks so much for your responses. Here are some answer to the questions:
Sabrina is 9 years old.
The vet has actually had her on a weight loss diet for quite awhile - she's been on low cal kitty food since she was 6 months old! We're about to switch to a prescription one but we're waiting till she feels better.
That's a good point about the test results coming back normal even when they detected blood in her urine. I'm not sure how that happened.
I think that the leaky part on her behind is from the drainage - the vet did say it would probably continue draining - but it doesn't smell gross. It doesn't actually smell like much of anything.
Good timing - the vet actually just called. She said it's probably her gland still draining, and that the file says her left gland was infected. I must have either misheard or misremembered the original diagnosis. So the antibiotics are for that. They also mentioned that the antibiotic could be making her stomach hurt a little, but if she's eating and drinking normally (she is), then that's good.
So I'm going to see how the antibiotic does, and see if the drainage stops, and if it doesn't, they're going to see her again on Saturday.
Thank you everyone!
Re: Cat with urinary tract infection
For future reference, if the "low-cal" food is a commercial brand, kitty is not going to lose weight or be managed on it. Supermarket, commercial foods stating low-cal, low-fat, less-active, senior etc are not properly formulated for weight loss or management once the weight is optimal. Your vet knows that, and if she doesn't, then it's time to see a new vet. I'm also curious as to why she's been on a low calorie cat food since kittenhood, I'm surprised she hasn't suffered serious effects of nutrient deficiency!
Prescription diets are properly formulated, but you also have to initiate exercise (slowly), and pay attention to how much is fed, etc.
Again, full bloodwork MUST be done prior to any weight management program, and monitored on a regular basis. Weight checks should be done monthly during the first year. If no bloodwork is done, and if kitty lost too much weight too rapidly, she could be at high risk for hepatic lipidosis, or diabetes. Owners do not always accurately judge weight loss, so there is always a wide margin of error and detrimental health concerns. Overweight cats are not only at risk for diabetes, but heart disease, arthritic conditions, IBD, etc.
Prescription diets are properly formulated, but you also have to initiate exercise (slowly), and pay attention to how much is fed, etc.
Again, full bloodwork MUST be done prior to any weight management program, and monitored on a regular basis. Weight checks should be done monthly during the first year. If no bloodwork is done, and if kitty lost too much weight too rapidly, she could be at high risk for hepatic lipidosis, or diabetes. Owners do not always accurately judge weight loss, so there is always a wide margin of error and detrimental health concerns. Overweight cats are not only at risk for diabetes, but heart disease, arthritic conditions, IBD, etc.
..........Traci