Ragdoll male showing some issues, help anyone?

My 11 month old ragdoll cat Dexter, has recently started urinating all over the house and going out of his way to avoid his litter tray. This is unusual as every since we brought him home at 10 weeks he has always been great at using his litter tray. 

He also has started meowing very loudly wherever he goes and when he urinates, and drinking loads of water afterwards. Thinking it might me something kidney related I had a feel around that area and he showed signs of discomfort, but his appetite has not decreased, he has always been a cat who loves his food!

We do have a female cat who is due to be spayed, so we thought the cause of Dexters meowing was because of this but now he is showing signs of discomfort and just in general isnt looking himself. 

Dexter also has a greasy patch of hair which is started to bald on his tail and the greasiness is spreading to his lower back. I read up that this could be stud tail? does anyone know anything about this? Dexter is un neatured but this is because our previous vet (we are trying out a new vet clinic tomorrow for a second opinion) said that dexter has a level 4 heart murmur so obviously wont be able to go under anaesthetic.

Like I said we are going to another vet clinic tomorrow with him for a second opinion on his heart and to raise all the other issues mentioned in this post but if anyone has any advice before then it would be greatly appreciated. 

Kidney issues would be rare in a cat this young. I would suspect a urinary tract issue and recommend a urinalysis test asap. Since he is male, if he stops peeing completely, he is blocked and needs vet care immediately as it can be fatal.

The other thing does sound like stud tail.

thank you, he has a vet trip scheduled for tomorrow so I will mention this to my vet and i'll let you know how he is

Is he squatting or spraying? At his age he would be likely to start marking and howling for females, although the extra water drinking is possibly a sign of something else.

I'm pretty sure cats with heart murmurs can still go under anesthetic as long as special care is taken, so discuss your options with your vet. I know I wouldn't want to live with a tomcat for very long!! :lol3:

Willowy said:

Is he squatting or spraying? At his age he would be likely to start marking and howling for females, although the extra water drinking is possibly a sign of something else.

I'm pretty sure cats with heart murmurs can still go under anesthetic as long as special care is taken, so discuss your options with your vet. I know I wouldn't want to live with a tomcat for very long!!

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No he is just peeing around the house and howling whilst he does it as if he is in discomfort.

This is why I am moving vets for a second opinion, my previous vet told me his heart murmur was far too advanced and he would only live for another few years and should be referred to a specialist for an ECG. I know heart problems are common in ragdolls but I still want a second opinion as prior to now he has always been full of life running around at 100mph. Ofcourse I want to get him neutured I just want to be absolutely sure there is no risk to him first.

He may have a bladder infection.  It may hurt him to go potty which is why he is meowing during urination.  Definitely get him checked out by a vet.  Sorry about the heart murmur.