Advice needed for cats that are peeing outside the box

so i have 2 cats that i've been trying to get a urine sample from for 2 days. took them to the vet, they peed on the way there and in the office so no urine sample that day. went all day yesterday locked up in separate room with the special "litter" and held their pee. because the vet didn't feel a blockage in either cat and refused to pee, the vet is very sure this is not a UTI . so no anitbiotics for now. i am taking them back again tomorrow to try to get a sample again via needle (assuming they don't pee on the way) so long story but here's my questions:

1 - the vet thinks bloodwork to check kidney function is a good idea ($180 for both cats) along with the urnialasys. not sure if bloodwork is going over the top or not (this is a banfield and although i like the staff, they are notorious for pushing unneccessary shots, etc)

2 - if this turns out to be crystals in the urine, it sounds like it is going to be an ongoing process with lots of visits. if that is the case, would it then make sense to put them on the wellness plan ($735 for the year for both vs $37 per cat per visit, plus $47 per uninalasys, plus $180 for bloodwork? assuming that's needed

Hi ardcp!
 

So both of your cats urinate outside the box? Where do they pee instead, and how long has this been going on?

ardcp said:

1 - the vet thinks bloodwork to check kidney function is a good idea ($180 for both cats) along with the urnialasys.

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How old are your cats?

ardcp said:

2 - if this turns out to be crystals in the urine, it sounds like it is going to be an ongoing process with lots of visits. if that is the case, would it then make sense to put them on the wellness plan ($735 for the year for both vs $37 per cat per visit, plus $47 per uninalasys, plus $180 for bloodwork? assuming that's needed

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I don't know the details of the Wellness Plan that you're referring to, but make sure to read the fine print. If it's anything like pet insurance, pre-existing conditions aren't covered.

If the cats are older, then its never a bad idea to do a blood panel on them. Even if they don't have crystals, the blood work will help conclude whether or not they have an infection going on, or some other health issue that is causing them to avoid the box.

I would try to isolate the problem before investing in pet insurance. If this is by chance a behavioral issue, then the insurance won't do you any good.

I had a tom with crystals in his urine 6-7 years ago and we still have him.

His symptoms:

One Friday he was fine.   On Saturday morning, he had quit walking and just laid around on the couch napping.  By Sunday mid morning,  when I stood him up, he fell down and could not walk.  He also looked like he had gained 10 lbs during the night.  He was huge and bloated. I made a quick call to the vet and we went in.  If I had of waited till Monday (the day of his appointment) he would be dead.  

In fact, this all happened so fast that I thought he would not make it to the vet that sunday.  When I got there he was already unconsciousous and I had to wait 10 minutes for the vet to arrive.  I kept jarring Toe to try and wake him up.  He was a limp dishrag.  

The vet had to use a needle to draw urine out of his bladder.  He did this through the skin of his belly as there as no time.  After he withdraw a  huge amount of urine, then they put a catheter in him and he stayed at the vet for a week recooperating.  He told me to use a special food with the proper PH balance.  I did that for two bags, but it was so expensive and naturally he was the one that sold it in my area.  But that vet only charged me 150.00 for the entire week.  Very reasonable.

That is when I started doing food research.  At this time, they all eat "taste of the wild" all the time and he has NEVER had any other crystal problems.  I never buy a cat food that has grain in it.  We have only been grain free since that time.

And yes, Toe was a cat that constantly peed next to box..  He would not use it.   He is an old man cat now and still fat and sassy.

I hope you have good luck with yours. 

My point is:  they can use a catheter to get a  urine sample or go through the skin directly to the bladder....