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Intro and cat question--added F/U
Hi, everyone! My name is Beth and I've been on the knot/nest since '07, but I've never ventured over to this board until today. I hope you don't mind me asking you a question. 
I noticed lately at that my 8 month old cat started peeing outside of the litter box and when he peed on a white towel yesterday, I noticed that the pee was brown. I brought him to the vet last night and they said he's likely forming crystals in his bladder, but to be sure, we need a urine sample. They sent me home with some non-absorbent litter and a syringe to collect the urine. I kept him in the bathroom today with his litter box, food, and water while I was at work and expected to come home to urine in the box or on the floor somewhere that I could get a sample of. I walked into the bathroom and the litter was everywhere, but he hasn't peed at all. I called and they told me to keep him in there over night (I feel awful!) and try to bring a sample in the morning.
I just can't believe he went 8+ hours without going to the bathroom. Does anyone have any experience with this? Advice?
TIA!
Re: Intro and cat question--added F/U
Get him to them ASAP.
Sherlock (my baby boy) just went through this a few days ago. He's probably blocked and if left untreated it could lead to death very quickly if his bladder ruptures. If he's not going, it means he can't go.
Sherlock was doing the exact same thing, peeing little tiny bits at a time outside of the litter box and going in and out consistently and leaving behind only small urinations.
He's been on medication for only 2 days and he is already peeing regularly and seems to be doing much better. If your cat is blocked they will need to unblock him ASAP. Sherlock just had the crystals, it hadn't gotten that far yet.
Life and Love at #16 | our married life blog
Life and Love at #16 | our married life blog
I was expecting them to tell me to bring him in tonight so they could get the sample directly from his bladder because clearly, his bladder must be full. But no, the girl just told me to try to bring a sample in the morning. Ugh. They're closing in 15 minutes, so bringing him there tonight isn't an option. I'm thinking of putting his regular litter back in the box to see if he uses it. If not, I'll assume his blocked in find the closest 24 pet hospital I can bring him to, I guess.
There is no more time for waiting.
Blockages in male cats are serious and can lead to death.
He needs to go into the vet or e-vet now.
Good luck and sending positive thoughts your way!
Wow, it sounds like it's time for a new vet.
Ditto pps - a blockage is nothing to mess around with and can be deadly quick.
I am so pissed that your vet is having you wait this out.
I would get him in any vet office that you can asap.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
I know. I'm so frustrated. Yesterday was the first time I went to this vet because the place I've gone before is just a clinic for general visits. He didn't have a blockage as of this morning because there was new urine in his litter before I cleaned it out and put the non-absorbent stuff in this morning.
I'm googling 24 hour emergency vets right now.
Good move looking for a 24 hour vet. My cat had a UTI (not blocked yet) and they took him in right away and pulled his urine and gave him antibiotics - so that he wouldn't get blocked. Not only is it deadly but it is much more expensive to deal with than if you catch it before hand. I really don't understand why they would be OK with waiting.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
The more I think about this, the more angry I'm getting with that stupid girl who told me to wait until tomorrow. I wonder if the vet even knows that I called. Probably not.
I just spoke to someone at the e-vet and she said definitely not to wait until tomorrow. She asked how he was and I said fine (he's purring, rubbing on me, playing with toys in the bathroom) and she said I can wait on it for a little bit if I want to watch him, but definitely bring him in tonight.
Glad you found a 24-hour facility! Where in Mass. are you? I know Angel is in Jamaica Plain, and Vetcision is in Waltham in case you are near either of those or need other options. I've been to Angel once for my younger pug (potential blockage), and my parents used Vetcision for emergency surgery for their cat. We both had good experiences. Sending lots of T&Ps for you and your kitty!
I have also heard good things about Vetcision, and of course there is Tufts. Good luck! I'm annoyed with your vet too. My Lily refused to pee on the non absorbent stuff. Hopefully that is what yours is doing and not blocked. Good luck with the e-vet!
F/U: We brought him to the emergency vet (in West Bridgewater for those who asked) and he wasn't blocked. As soon as she pushed on his bladder to see how full it was, he peed all over the table.
They took the sample and sent it out, so tomorrow we should get the results to find out the original problem and will hopefully get him on meds to rid him of the crystals/infection/whatever.
Thanks for all the advice!
Life and Love at #16 | our married life blog
- Martin Luther King Jr.
5 cats. 1 baby.