UTI or just worrying too much?

Hi! My first post here, I decided to come here and see if I could get some collective opinions to possibly put my mind to rest on a bit of an issue I'm having...

My cat is a male and currently about 2.5 years old. Recently I've been having some litterbox problems with him, which has only happened maybe a couple times ever in the past. However with that said, he's also not neutered. (I know, I know, should be... It's a long story for another time!) Basically I knew some behavior issue was entirely possible given the circumstances, so the first couple times I chalked it up to that, as they were spread out over a couple days and happened in the same area of the carpet.

So far this has gone on for a couple weeks now, although right now I'm on a good stretch of almost 3 days no incident. The reason I haven't taken him to the vet immediately is, unfortunately, financial issues. I very truly live paycheck to paycheck (although that should be changing in the next month) and the area I live in is pretty bad for expensive vet care. But also, aside from some litterbox trouble, he's shown no clear signs of a UTI.

He urinates rather frequently and in small batches,although that's always been his behavior since day 1. I recently got a chance to observe him in a perfectly clean box right next to him at ground level and there was absolutely no sign of struggle or discomfort whatsoever (in fact, a very strong, easy urination). Absolutely no blood or sign of any anomalies in the urine, and I even managed to do a litmus paper pH test on a few spots. First test was about 5.5 to 6.0, second was around 6.0-6.5, so nothing unusual there either. Also still extremely energetic and lively, no sign of discomfort (in fact, it was one of our pre-bedtime play sessions that prompted me to write this. I signed up to this forum while out of breath, as he still danced around wanting to play more... and he's still waiting as I type this).

So does it seem possible that he just urinated on a couple spots out of a bit of behavior flare-up? (This btw started whenever I was especially busy with work and hadn't spent any real quality time with him in around 8 days). And the subsequent urinations on the floor, which happen to always be in the same spot, are just because of lingering odor?

Ultimately I ask because, again, financially my hands are very tied. However once my tax return makes its way back, absolute first thing is to get my Archibald (yes, my cat's name is Archibald...) to the vet and get him 100% up to date. I just want to make sure that it sounds like he'll be ok to hold off for the time being.

While having grown up with cats all my life, I've never had one get a UTI so I'm rather inexperienced in this area and have no idea how quickly the symptoms can progress. Considering it's been 2 weeks since he first began acting out, would I have noticed an escalation of problems by now?

I greatly appreciate any input. Thank you!

I am bumping up your post so someone can better answer you.  I have had cats with crystals and the symptoms were more pronounced.  However, I still think you need to have him checked out and definately have him neutered.  Then, when these things crop up, you will be able to discount him being an intact male and will be able to focus on what is really going on.  Not attributing it to "tom cat" behavior.

Welcome to TCS...there are lots of very knowledgeable people here and one will be along very soon

I-have-a-crystal-kitty-and-I-just-went-thru-this-with-my-female-kitty.Yes,you-have-the-begining-of-an-issue.

I-don't-know-what-you-mean,by-testing-some-spots,lol,you-have-to-directly-test-the-urine,itself,and-the-only-proper-way,is-by-a-urinealasys,done-by-the-vet.They-insert-a-needle-into-the-bladder,and-draw-out-some-urine-to-test.

That-will-tell-them-if-the-ph-level-is-to-high-or-to-low,and-if-there-are-crystals-or-bacteria,and-what-antibiotics-might-work-best.

If-the-urine-is-too-concentrated,it-burns-the-bladder-walls,and-the-kitty-feels-like-he-has-to-go-all-the-time,even-tho,there-is-really-only-a-small-amount-in-there,hence,the-getting-in-and-out-of-cat-box,and-peeing-only-a-small-amount.

If-the-kitty-has-crystals,the-crystals-irritate-the-bladder-walls,and-you-have-the-same-behavior,in-and-out-of-the-box,peeing-a-small-amount,or,the-crystals,which-are-about-the-size-of-a-grain-of-sand,block-the-opening,and-the-kitty-is-unable-to-pee.A-kitty's-penis,has-a-very-very-small-opeining,where-as-a-female,has-a-larger-opening.

*If-the-kitty-is-unable-to-pee,you-have-12-hours-to-get-him-to-a-vet,or-its-too-late*

Boy-kitties-are-more-prone-to-crystals-and-being-blocked,but-girl-kitty's-can-get-them-too,its-rare,that-one-can-be-blocked,but-it-can-happen.

Getting-in-and-out-of-the-box,and-peeing-a-small-amount,peeing-not-in-the-cat-box,frequent-licking-of-the-genetial-area,throwing-up,sitting-to-long-in-the-box,and-not-peeing,or-crying-in-the-box,are-all-signs,of-crystals-or-a-UTI.

This-is-all-related-to-what-you-feed,and-the-amount-of-water-intake,and-stress,is-another-biggie.

You-have-to-feed-a-grain-free-food,grains-are-the-biggest-cause,grains-are-wheat,corn,maize,wheat-flour,corn-flour,maize-flour,any-flour.The-biggest-culprit,for-these-kitties,is-feeding-dry.

You-have-to-feed-wet,grain-free,and-you-have-to-mix-it-with-water,so-its-real-soupy.You-have-to-force-the-water-intake-for-these-kitties.This-keeps-them-flushed-out,and-keeps-the-urine-from-getting-to-concentrated,and-burning-the-bladder-walls.

For-these-kitties-too,you-have-to-give-them-purified-drinking-water,not-spring,not-distilled,but-purified.Or-some-use-Brita-or-PURR.Tap-water-has-too-many-minerals-in-it.

Yes,some-kitties-do-fine-on-eating-dry,or-eating-a-food,that-has-grains-in-it,but-just-like-with-people,some-have-medical-issues,some-do-not.

When-you-have-a-kitty-that-is-prone-to-crystals-or-UTI's-you-have-to-adjust,what-you-feed-them.

I-feed-wet-in-the-morning,mixed-with-water,so-its-real-soupy,and-dry-at-night.The-crystal-kitty,gets-wet-morn-and-night.I-tried-to-cut-him-back-to-dry-at-night,trying-to-save-money,and-in-and-out-of-the-box-peeing-a-small-amount.Took-him-in,they-did-the-urinalasys,his-urine-was-too-concentrated.My-vet-asked,what-did-you-change.Told-her.She-said,he"has"to-have-wet-twice-a-day,with-the-water,went-back-to-that,no-more-issues.

On-Monday-morning,my-female,who-never-had-an-issue,was-getting-in-and-out-of-the-box,peeing-a-small-amount,cried-when-I-tried-to-feel-her-bladder.Called-my-vet,she-said,now-you-have-another-wet-only-kitty.Gave-her-wet-only,mixed-with-water,made-hers-real-real-soupy,by-Wednesday,she-was-peeing-normal.

Not-sure-what-kind-of-litter-you-use,lol,but-this-is-easier-to-tell-with-scoopable,I-use-Cats-Pride,the-jug,with-the-red-top.When-you-watch-them-pee,they-should-pee-a-very-large-spot,that-you-see,before-they-cover-it-up,and-when-you-scoop-it-out,the-scoop-should-be-the-size-of-a-golf-ball-or-larger,mine-are-larger.

The-others-get-wet-in-the-morn-and-dry-at-night.I-mix-a-little-water-with-their-dry,and-watch-them-like-a-hawk.

I-feed-Blue-Wilderness,its-by-Blue-Buffalo,you-can-get-it-at-Petsmart-or-Petco,chicken-or-turkey,stay-away-from-salmon,tuna,any-fishy-flavors,they-cause-urinary-issues-too.

The-foods-in-the-grocery-store,are-full-of-grains.Iams-and-Royal-Canin-are-full-of-grains.Hills-is-full-of-grains.There-is-no-such-thing,as-a-urinary-specific-food,such-as-you-see-by-Purina,by-Hills,its-a-marketing-ploy.Same-as-there-is-no-such-thing-as-dental-specific-food,its-a-marketing-ploy.

Years-ago,different-vet,when-my-crystal-kitty,was-diagnosed,he-was-put-on-Hills-urinary-specific-food,the-crystals-came-back,I-said,something-ain't-right-with-this-picture,and-did-extensive-research,which-is-how-I-know-all-this,and-I-have-a-great-vet.

This-is-a-good-site-to-read.

http://catinfo.org/

Well if golf-ball sized or bigger is the goal, that's good at least because the urine clumps are definitely not any smaller than that. Also to clarify, he never steps in to the box and back out, he always goes every time he approaches it. And by testing some spots, I mean right when he pees. The first time I actually was able to get him to go directly on to a strip of litmus paper, second time I got a bit before the little puddle was fully soaked up.
 

So with him acting our having started 2 weeks ago, would symptoms have worsened by now? What's the progression time for a UTI for it to go from bad to worse to terrible?

I have a male cat, neutered, who urinates several times a day and his clumps are always the size of a golf ball.  He has never urinated inappropriately, however. I have only had one kitty ever with a UTI and she wouldn't even use the box, just urinated on the carpet.  She also exhibited some other symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, and anti-social behaviors.  If possible, I would look into Care Credit http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/ or call the Humane Society to recommend a low-cost vet in your area.