Buster is uncomfortable

My cat, Buster, is acting different, and is pretty clearly uncomfortable about something.

He seems to be restlessly moving around, sometimes stopping to lay down, but his attitude, and facial expression show that he's clearly uncomfortable. He sometimes cries out, either in a high-pitched or low growl way, but only does this on and off, as if the pain/disconfort is coming in waves. He's also licking his back end on and off, more than usual. He had already started to do that more than usual recently, but now it's EVEN more. He's distracted by all of this, and is partly, but not totally ignoring us, sometimes walking around, sometimes trying to lay down, soemtimes hiding behind the couch. At one point he froze in mid-walk and partly lifted his tail but then nothing happened and he just stood there.

This is, obviously, not how he ever acts, and he's usually a very happy cat, so this makes me very nervous.

He is, obviously, male, and about 7 or 8 years old.

I'm aware that this is not a substitute for going to the vet, but the vet is not open yet, and our money situation is difficult right now. If it comes to that then yes we will take him in, but I'd just like to see if there's any other preliminary advice anyone has.

Additional info:

*This is all extra disturbing, because just several days ago, our other cat passed away, very suddenly, and unexpectedly. We had found him under the couch already gone, completely out of the blue.

*We wondered if Buster was having some sort of reaction to being alone/losing the other cat, but we really think the symptoms seem physical, not just emotional

*We also wondered if he had possibly gotten into something poisonous, and that maybe that's what had happened to the first cat, but we really can't see anything along those lines.

*They had also changed food brands recently. Is this a reaction to that? Although, if so, he hadn't had any adverse reaction, until now?

*We started to wonder, because we're grapsing at straws, if he's not really neutered or something, but we're pretty sure he is.

*Could this have to do with any difficulty going to the bathroom, one way or the other? Constipation? Passing a stone?

Thanks(and sorry for the length)

Others may have some advice, but my first reaction would be to have him straight to the vet and ask if they do payment plans

He does sound in pain though poor thing, and it could be one of the things you mentioned

Please...........to the VET ASAP. He could be dealing with crystals in the urinary tract, which can quickly turn into a life threatening situation.....this is very common in male cats. The key sign is frequent licking of the genitals (they do this because of the discomfort). I would NOT delay, please get him into the Vet today............it is critical, truly.

I agree, get him to the vet now, immediately. He may have a blockage which can be fatal in 24 hours if not treated.

All the more reason if you suspect poison.

I am sorry for the loss of your other cat.Was the cat elderly, or did he have an illness?

Please let us know what happens.

I agree with what has already been said. Hope everything turns out okay. It would be terrible to lose two cats back to back. Get him checked out so you have no regrets.

He could be grieving, but grieving can cause stress and, in male cats, stress can cause urinary tract problems. Is he peeing and pooing normally? Eating ok? In any event, I think you really need a vet consult.

I'd definitely write everything down as far as dates and symptoms, including the passing of your other cat, and call the vet ASAP for an urent appointment. Ask about payment plans, but this does sound like it has a physical component, and if he's blocked, you really may not have much time to get him treated. I know, my boy had struvite crystals, and of course I noticed an issue on Labor day - so off the e-vet with credit card in hand.

I have taken him to the vet, and it was an issue with struvite crystals causing a blockage. They're going to help him. I can update a bit more tomorrow, but I'm tired now.

Oh God, thank goodness you took him in! Thank you thank you for doing that! All the healing vibes in the World for your boy

I hope Buster feels better soon! And I'm sorry you lost your other cat, it sounds like it's been a tough week.

Originally Posted by Buster's Human

I have taken him to the vet, and it was an issue with struvite crystals causing a blockage. They're going to help him. I can update a bit more tomorrow, but I'm tired now.

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Good for you!!!!!!! You've definitely done the right thing! Here are more vibes for a quick recovery:: vibes:

Originally Posted by Buster's Human

I have taken him to the vet, and it was an issue with struvite crystals causing a blockage. They're going to help him. I can update a bit more tomorrow, but I'm tired now.

Click to expand...

Thank you for letting us know, and good job getting him right in to the vet! I'll look forward to an update when you feel up to it.

PS Welcome to TCS!

Poor baby! So glad you got him to the vet and checked out. How's he doing today?

It was a struvite crystal blockage issue, and his bladder was in not the best condition from that. they started treatment, and there was alot of blood in his bladder at first, though that has started to clear back up. He seems to have responded well to the treatment. The vet said he actually doesn't even have that narrow a urethra which means it might be likely to not re-occur if managed with proper diet.

I'm very glad i was able to save him, but the cost did wind up being in the $700 range. I was able to beg for a payment plan, but this is really unpleasant news financially. I'm aware of all the stuff about 'when we take on pet ownership we take on their medical costs, etc' but sometimes the financial situation we're in when we first take on the pet changes later on, and in general I'd just like to complain about what seems like vet costs rising disproportionately to people's income. It seems like having a pet(at least responsibly) is almost becoming something out of the range of more and more working-class, or average-incomed people. End rant.

I was able to visit him the next day. And although I don't think he was totally happy yet, he seemed so much better, and that was a relief. He had a catheter, and an elizabethan collar, but was still happy to see me, and started purring. I had to leave again though, and he'll be there until Tuesday. I hope he's not too lonely, or bored.


If anyone would like to put a face to a name, here is a picture of Buster.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1029/picture002pd.jpg

Originally Posted by Buster's Human

It was a struvite crystal blockage issue, and his bladder was in not the best condition from that. they started treatment, and there was alot of blood in his bladder at first, though that has started to clear back up. He seems to have responded well to the treatment. The vet said he actually doesn't even have that narrow a urethra which means it might be likely to not re-occur if managed with proper diet.

I'm very glad i was able to save him, but the cost did wind up being in the $700 range. I was able to beg for a payment plan, but this is really unpleasant news financially. I'm aware of all the stuff about 'when we take on pet ownership we take on their medical costs, etc' but sometimes the financial situation we're in when we first take on the pet changes later on, and in general I'd just like to complain about what seems like vet costs rising disproportionately to people's income. It seems like having a pet(at least responsibly) is almost becoming something out of the range of more and more working-class, or average-incomed people. End rant.

I was able to visit him the next day. And although I don't think he was totally happy yet, he seemed so much better, and that was a relief. He had a catheter, and an elizabethan collar, but was still happy to see me, and started purring. I had to leave again though, and he'll be there until Tuesday. I hope he's not too lonely, or bored.


If anyone would like to put a face to a name, here is a picture of Buster.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1029/picture002pd.jpg

Click to expand...

Oh Buster! Poor baby!
Hey I get you on the financial side of it- especially being unemployed... that is precisely why I have health insurance for my three... I would never be able to afford that on my current situation...
What you CAN do at this point though, is apply for carecredit to finance your bill interest free - if you are approved, you can call back your vet and use it immediately... It can help you a lot!!
Good luck with your boy... he is a cutie!

Aw Buster looks just like my crystal kitty, Beeba.

Yep, struvite, cath, collar, been there done that. Also 900 dollar vet bill. Thank God for care credit. I am paying it off 100 dollars per month. No interest if done like that. Really, check into it. It works immediately. Ask your vet if he participates.

Its a lot easier on your check book.

Glad he is doing good. Hopefully, they won't return. Diet and water consumption are so important. My advice is to get an automatic waterer. Beeb prob drinks two to three times the amount he would normally drink. I always give a sigh of relief when I hear him lapping it up! With a crystal cat, water is medicine.

Keep us updated.

Just wanted to say that he is back home and purring, and doing much better. Although they shaved his back end in a way that is not very flattering, I guess that will grown back soon enough. He also has to back for a later urinalysis, but I think things are in good shape and under control now.

I also want to thank everyone for their responses at first, especially the people who suspected it might be crystals, and then for everyones vibes, and further advice. That was a difficult week cat-wise. Maybe this thread can set a sort of precedent if anyone comes in talking about similar symptoms in the future...

Oh, and for the poster who questioned what happened to my other cat. He was about 11 or 12, and wasn't sick, as far as we know. It was very sudden--as in seeing him be normal one day, and then finding him under the couch already gone the next morning. It was a bad surprise.

So it was a tough week, but I think things will be ok now.

So glad he is doing good. Just a bit of info that crystals are notorious for returning.

His diet and water consumption are what will keep them away. Hopefully your vet gave you the correct prescription food to handle this thing. Also, the automatic water bowl, at least to me, is invaluable. The more water the better. More water equals more pee. Less time for struvites to form.

Good luck to you !!