Normally, kitty litter cleaning is my job but Saturday morning Vince had to go to the sewing room to get juice out of the fridge for breakfast and he cleaned up the kitty litter box. Then Sunday morning, he needed something out of the sewing room early so he cleaned it again. He said he noticed there wasn’t a urine clump in the litter but he didn’t think anything about it. I’m not sure I would have either.
Saturday I was sewing all day and Boots was being his usual rambunctious self. I didn’t notice anything unusual. He played, he aggravated the heck out of me, he jumped from windowsill to ironing table to cutting board to sewing machine . . his usual antics.
Boots Under the Sewing Table
Sunday I was in the sewing room almost all day again. He was still playful but he was in and out of the litter box all day. Sometimes he will put a scorpion in there and then he gets in there to torture the scorpion. I thought maybe he had a belly ache or he drank too much water. I’ve not had a cat in forever so I had no idea he was having a problem.
When I started to leave the sewing room about 3:30, I thought . . I’d better clean out the litter box and not wait til morning, but there was nothing in there. I wrote my friend, Sheryl, who has cats and knows a lot about them. She wrote back and said it sounded like an obstruction and could be life threatening. I called our vet and his answering service said he would call me back. I waited about an hour and then Vince called again. Vince said “Is he even in town? Is he going to call us back?” but the person he was speaking with said “I dunno!” We then began trying to call other vets and none of the others even have an answering service or machine. A friend gave me her vet’s cell phone number but he also didn’t call me back.
I figured with Thanksgiving, folks were probably out of town but there was no way to get medical treatment for Boots unless we drove to the closest emergency vet in Abilene, which is about 2 hours each way and the roads are 2 lane highways and Vince and I neither see well enough to drive those roads at night.
Our vet opens at 7:30 so I called right on the dot and it was about 7:40 before they began answering the phone. They told me the vet wouldn’t be in til 8 so I could bring Boots in at 8:00.
In our vet’s defense, he is out of town and cannot be reached by cell phone. My guess is he’s hunting in the woods somewhere. The fill in vet lives near Dallas (about 2-1/2 hours from here) and he drove int his morning so he couldn’t have helped me last night either. He’s a very nice, older man. He felt Boots’ tummy and he told me with an obstruction, he usually feels a very hard ball. He did not feel that so . . either (1) he has a very bad urinary tract infection and it burns so he starts to pee and then he stops or (2) the bladder has already ruptured. I said “But wouldn’t he feel way worse if the bladder was ruptured?” and he said no .. he wouldn’t feel bad at all for about 24 hours after it happened.
I’m not sure if I’m very hopeful that it’s an infection because he hasn’t released much urine for at least three days and even if it burns to release it, how long can you hold it? Maybe a cat can hold it longer than an old granny!
I had to leave him there. They’re going to use a catheter and drain the bladder, check for infection, do x-rays if needed . . and they’ll call me.
So . . I sit by the phone.
Kate says
I predict urinary tract infection. Male cats get those. With meds he can improve rapidly. May need special food. Hugs, hope he is fine. You are a good mama.
Vivian Oaks says
Oh, dear!! Poor Boots! It’s terrible when you have a sick pet, and no one will help! Such a terrible feeling!!! I sure hope they’re able to figure out what’s going on, and take care of him pronto! I’m not sure I’d have wanted to go home – I might have been tempted to stay at the vet’s until they were able to tell me something…but that’s just me. I’m a sucker for a pretty kitty! (And much too empathetic for my own good!) Hope he’s better soon!
Janet says
Sorry to hear about Boots. He’s young, and otherwise healthy, so whatever it is, he will snap back quickly. Probably just a diet change will prevent further issues. You and he are in my thoughts and prayers today.
Toni Wood says
We had this with our cat Morris. It was a blockage and it happened twice in three months. He would be fine and then would start to urinate everywhere but nothing came out. I could feel the swollen bladder in his lower abdomen. If by any chance the vet recommends surgery please do it. Morris never had a problem afterwards and lived a long healthy life. He was about 18 months when this all started. Fingers crossed it’s a minor problem.
Perry says
Possibly hairballs, Judy. Do you brush him on a regular basis? Or, he has gotten hold of some thread possibly? I am praying he will be ok..
Erin says
((Hugs)) as you wait to hear. So sorry he is very sick.
Bon says
Sure hope he is feeling better soon.
Sharon in Michigan says
Prayers and hugs for a speedy recovery!
SaraF says
Hope he feels better soon. Hopefully it’s just an infection. Our Sammy swallowed rubber hair bands when he was about a year old. We had the surgery done and have been glad we did. He’s 13 years old now and has been such a delight for us.
Sheri says
Oh, poor Boots! I hope the vet calls with good news. Keeping my fingers crossed and will be anxious for an update.
Sherry V. says
Prayers & hugs being sent your way.
I hope all is well with Boots soon and he is back to his old ways of pestering you soon.
Jackie says
I hope all is well with Boots quickly and it’s nothing but a UTI and he’s back to his usual self. I’m like you, staring at the phone wishing it to ring with news, now I’ll have to keep checking the blog to see if you heard anything. Take care Boots is so lucky he has you and Vince.
Brandy M. says
Oh, no, Judy!!!
It does sound like a bad kitty UTI. I’ve had male cats literally my entire life and they’ve all had UTI’s. I’ve never had one with a ruptured bladder, though, so I’m not familiar with that. Fingers crossed that Boots just comes home with some antibiotics & is better in no time!
Hugs to you all!
<3
Diann says
Male cats have to have special urinary tract food but I’ve not heard of it happening so soon. I think my cat was nearly ten when put on that. Please keep us updated. I can’t imagine how hard it is on him to have not used the litter box in so long. He might have yowled and you not heard him since he lives alone w/ visits.
kwiltnkats says
I’m glad you have him in with the vet now. Do post when you know more. Sandi
myrna sossner says
My wishes go out for news and speedy recovery …
Sherrill says
Oh, poor Boots!! I sure hope he gets better quick and that it’s the lesser of the problems. That’s awful for the animal and the owner worrying about them. 🙁
Nancy says
Poor Boots! I hope he feels better soon. My cats get UTIs and I have to feed them special food.
Helen says
I’m so very sorry to hear that Boots is ill. I’ll be checking back through the day to see what you find out. You sit by the phone, I’ll sit by the computer so I can check in.
Hugs to you and a prayer for a quick recovery for Boots.
Ruth says
Poor little Boots. I hope he gets better right away. It’s tough to be sick and not be able to tell the vet why.
Susan says
I’m so sorry for Boots, and for you! I said a little prayer that the vet will find what needs to be done and be able to help Boots heal. I hope you hear from the vet soon.
Kristin says
Poor woogie! My cat just started getting UTIs last year (he’s 18!). Hopefully Boots bounces back and stays healthy.
Dar in MO says
So sorry Boots is sick. Hopefully it will be fixed in quick order. My kitty is sick too (but not because she heard about Boots). Her problem is just the opposite. She has stopped eating much of her food, but pees a lot — just not in her litter box. Hoping to get her into the vet tomorrow. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it’s not real serious, as she is pretty old – we are not sure how old. Saying a prayer for Boots too.