Can't collect urine..need non-absorbent litter.

hatzy

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We took Bubba in for his annual exam last week and he must have just urinated before we woke up and took him in, b/c they couldn't get any themselves. So the vet suggested shredding newspaper in a clean litterbox, which wouldn't absorb the urine and using the syringe to suck it up. Poor Bubba held it in for hours. He refused to use the box and would go to the box and meow. I wasn't going to let him suffer, so I put down his regular box with litter and he went for what seemed to be an eternity! Anyway, I called the vet back and the receptionist (or whoever) said to give it another try. No way am I going to make him suffer like that. Plus, we both work full time and it's impossible to time it all. So I called back today and lied and told them I tried again to no avail. I asked her if we could just bring him in one eve so they can collect it. After putting me on hold, b/c apparently I asked her a very difficult question, she told me to go out and get non-absorbent litter and try that. ME? I've read that the vet should carry it. She rushed me off the phone.

This was a new vet visit and I'll probably be looking for a new one for a couple of other reasons. She mentioned a brand called "Good News?" I don't care about what brand it is, but is non-absorbent litter easy to find? I have petco, pemsmart, and lots of smaller shops near me. Any other ideas?
 

mews2much

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I do not know why your vet is doing it that way.
If Coco dosent have a full bladder when she gets yested they give her Sub Q's then wait about a hour and take the test. I never have to do it myself.
 

goldenkitty45

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Yesterday's News I believe is pellet form and would be non-absorbing enough to get a sample before it broke down.

Ask the vet if the Crystal litter (big crystal/plastic pieces) would be ok. The only problem with both of those kinds is that if you just put it in a pan, the cat will not know its litter - its one of those they have to get used to.

IMO the vet should be able to just have you bring him in without peeing for a few hours and be able to get a sample.

OR you could try normal litter and put down some clear plastic (plastic wrap) over the litter and see if he will pee on there and get him out before he has a chance to "cover" and mess it up.
 

mschauer

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You can use safflower seeds as nonabsorbant litter. It's sold as bird feed anywhere bird seed can be found. I find it at several hardware stores.

But, my girl won't use the seeds either. She pretty much insists on nice, soft litter. I would definitely try the seeds though. Lots of people have had success with them. I've had to come up with something kinda unique for Jeta. If you can't get your boy to use anything other than regular litter, let me know and I'll describe what I come up with for Jeta. It's a little complicated so I don't want to describe it unless you really need it.

BTW - Safflower seeds are what is used in the "Smart Box" which is designed specially for collecting kitty urine.

http://www.smartcatbox.com/

I've also heard of people using lentils. If you try these be sure to rinse them first. They tend to be dusty.
 

maxcat08

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I would think that the Vet should collect it. My elderly cat wouldn't pee on command, either. So they just kept her there till it happened.

I'd be looking for a new Vet as well. Good luck with your current one, though and hope Bubba's results are all fine!
 

gailuvscats

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I got "nosorb" from my vet which is little pellets that don't absorb. Barely a half cup for 3 dollars.
You can just put very little litter in, and be ready to get it when he pees. Put a little elevation under the box so it runs to one side.
 

optionken

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A couple things. Put a sheet of saran wrap on top of the litter and hope he doesn't dig it all in. that usually works

Aquarium gravel works as litter and doesn't absorb
 

goldenkitty45

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Never thought of the aquarium gravel but that would be closer to "litter" and may work the best. Great suggestion
 

mschauer

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Never thought of the aquarium gravel but that would be closer to "litter" and may work the best. Great suggestion
I got some aquarium gravel and it is just little rocks. Not nearly as fine as litter. I didn't even try to use it cuz I just can't see Jeta digging in something like that. Did I not get the right thing? Is there aquarium gravel that is fine like litter? I've never had fishies.
 

tutti_bella

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I really have no idea how good the urine sample would be if you collect it yourself. I'd say too much environmental contaminants that would make the sample useless. If your vet really need a sample, it has to be at least sterile. The vet could cupped him or do a cysto - a needle to the bladder to collect a sterile sample. Your vet doesn't sit too well with me.
 

goldenkitty45

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Haven't really looked at aquarium gravel lately
but I would think there are less course rocks. Just saying its closer to looking like litter (clay litter - not the scoopable kind) then to pellets
 

optionken

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Originally Posted by mschauer

I got some aquarium gravel and it is just little rocks. Not nearly as fine as litter. I didn't even try to use it cuz I just can't see Jeta digging in something like that. Did I not get the right thing? Is there aquarium gravel that is fine like litter? I've never had fishies.
You got the right stuff. For some reason it seems to work with most
Many people with diabetic kittys have to test the urine for ketones and cannot catch them in the act. That is where the idea came from.
I was one of the lucky ones. Sneakers had no problems peeing with my hand sticking a stick under her as she peed
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by optionken

You got the right stuff. For some reason it seems to work with most
Many people with diabetic kittys have to test the urine for ketones and cannot catch them in the act. That is where the idea came from.
I was one of the lucky ones. Sneakers had no problems peeing with my hand sticking a stick under her as she peed
very interesting idea , have loads of it as I have a few tanks
... I used kidney bean s on the vets advise
 

simkie

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When I worked at a vet years and years ago--damn, nearly 20 now--he used styrofoam peanuts in the litter boxes when he wanted a urine sample. I don't know why he didn't do cystos...maybe the peanuts were just cheaper for the owners. It did work, though, and the kitties had no problems using a box full of peanuts. Just make sure they're actually styrofoam instead of those corn ones that are biodegradable.
 

taima

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My kitty refused to use the nosorb litter. He used it the first time I tried it but refused to any time after that. What works the best for me is just to catch him the box and slip something under him as he goes. I cut the bottom off a plastic bowl and use that.
 

gailuvscats

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Originally Posted by tutti_bella

I really have no idea how good the urine sample would be if you collect it yourself. I'd say too much environmental contaminants that would make the sample useless. If your vet really need a sample, it has to be at least sterile. The vet could cupped him or do a cysto - a needle to the bladder to collect a sterile sample. Your vet doesn't sit too well with me.
This sounds like a smart vet to me. The sample is for the cat's "annual exam". there is probably nothing wrong with his urine, he is not there because he is sick. Furthermore, crystals, and bacteria will show up in the sample. They can determine what is from the enviornment and what is from the cat, blood will show up as well.
Instead of putting the cat through a "needle" and charging her a ton of money for trying to squeeze out some urine, they are advising she collect it as it is not urgent. It should be as fresh as possible though, no more than 12 hours old, kept in the fridge.
I think you have a good vet, one that is considering your cats comfort, as well as your pocketbook. Be grateful, he could have milked you for a couple hundred dollars for this.
 

booktigger

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This is common practice in the UK, it costs around £5 for the litter and testing, much better than paying for a consult and a procedure, or to have them there all day (which I have had to do, one had to be sedated, although i suspect a poor vet, he had him there all day, am sure he could have done it without sedation). Other suggestions on the UK forum i use are continuing to let them use a normal tray, and then putting a glass or saucer under in midstream, apparently it works well (although wouldnt in my house, none of them will let me appraoch them while weeing, and the girls use a covered tray)
 

optionken

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Furthermore, crystals, and bacteria will show up in the sample. They can determine what is from the enviornment and what is from the cat, blood will show up as well.

According to this vet, a test for sturvite crystals has to be fresh or it will give false positives. Scroll down
http://www.catinfo.org/#Common_Felin..._Ties_to_Diet_
 
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