First time dealing with my sick cat

Dooley has been our indoor cat since taking him home from a farm as a kitten 8 years ago. In that time he's always had a huge personality and when my husband started working 12+ hours a day Dooley and I developed a relationship like I never imagined I could have with a cat. I'm never alone when my husband is off working so much of the time.

About a week ago I noticed a 2" round blood stain on my bed and over the next few days woke up to a few more, most at least 4" around. Then it stopped. Within the past few days the blood started appearing again so we looked him over well until last night was finally able to trace it to his urine. First thing this morning we took him to the vet who said he doesn't seem to be in pain and his bladder wall feels normal, although he wasn't able to get a urine sample. The vet told us that it's a uti and prescribed a form of amoxicillin. We gave him his first drop before my husband left for work. I was just able to watch him urinate, once a decent about then bury it and then he squatted again and only a little came out that looked like pure blood. This is so heartbreaking for me. I'm so afraid he was misdiagnosed since I've read a lot about idiopathic cystitis which is much more common than utis.

I feel so alone and scared and haven't done much in the past few days except cry my eyes out. My husband doesn't understand my worries and others are telling me to get used to the fact that he won't be around forever.

I came here because I know there's got to be many people that can understand how I feel about him. I can really use some encouragement and advice.

There is nothing in the world that compares to the way it feels when we have to see our babies suffer, whether they are biological or animal babies.  I sympathize with you so much, and I wish I could reach through and hug you right now.    As a cat owner and foster-cat-momma, I've watched so much sickness and suffering that it sometimes feels as if my heart is going to burst.  I know that the helplessness can feel overwhelming, but there really is so much good that you can still do to help.

When you hear bad or stressful news, it is normal to feel a sense of grief.  Everyone deals with grief differently, so it's very likely that your husband can't understand why you are experiencing this sadness in the way that you are.  He is experiencing it in a different way, and that's okay too.  

The best thing that you can do for Dooley is to make sure that he feels safe - go about your day and treat him gently, but normally.  Cats pick up on changes in routine, and it can be stressful for them.  And try to remember that these antibiotics can only lead to something positive: Either they will heal Dooley, or they will help you to cross something off of the list and guide you towards a better diagnosis.

You are not alone.  It is good to reach out to others.  It is going to be okay. 

DooleysMom said:

Dooley has been our indoor cat since taking him home from a farm as a kitten 8 years ago. In that time he's always had a huge personality and when my husband started working 12+ hours a day Dooley and I developed a relationship like I never imagined I could have with a cat. I'm never alone when my husband is off working so much of the time.

About a week ago I noticed a 2" round blood stain on my bed and over the next few days woke up to a few more, most at least 4" around. Then it stopped. Within the past few days the blood started appearing again so we looked him over well until last night was finally able to trace it to his urine. First thing this morning we took him to the vet who said he doesn't seem to be in pain and his bladder wall feels normal, although he wasn't able to get a urine sample. The vet told us that it's a uti and prescribed a form of amoxicillin. We gave him his first drop before my husband left for work. I was just able to watch him urinate, once a decent about then bury it and then he squatted again and only a little came out that looked like pure blood. This is so heartbreaking for me. I'm so afraid he was misdiagnosed since I've read a lot about idiopathic cystitis which is much more common than utis.

I feel so alone and scared and haven't done much in the past few days except cry my eyes out. My husband doesn't understand my worries and others are telling me to get used to the fact that he won't be around forever.

I came here because I know there's got to be many people that can understand how I feel about him. I can really use some encouragement and advice.

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Well, taking Dooley to the vet was the right thing to do.  I do know how you feel, in wanting Dooley to feel instant relief and get better at the first dose of the antibiotic.

Is there any way that you can call your vet, tomorrow, and just express your concerns, and what you have read online, and basically see if the vet has any more recommendations, as to transitioning to wet food, increasing water consumption, to flush out the bladder,  and finding out how long it would take for Dooley to show improvement?  Ask them about "idiopathic cystitis" and how it is diagnosed? 

Has the vet also done bloodwork?

Does Dooley seem to be eating and pooping normally?

Does he seem to be in pain while urinating?

Sometimes, vets will start off with the simplest diagnosis, give an antibiotic, and wait and see the response.

If the cat does not get better, than they further do testing,  like x rays, ultrasounds and urine samples to rule out other things.  (This is what my vet has told me)

Try not to get upset with anything anyone says around you.  You are under stress from having Dooley being sick, and just don't need to waste the energy even thinking about careless comments.  Sometimes, people mean well, but it all comes out wrong, or else they do not really think about what they just said.  The people around you,  just don't want you to worry, but that is so difficult to not do.  I think that if you write down questions you have for your vet, and phone them.....then maybe some of your doubts will clear up.

good luck and I wish Dooley and you all the best.

Thank you both so much. I'm just trying to find hope. When reading online everything is made to sound so scary and serious about the different conditions so it has me a wreck. Dooley is eating normal and I think he's probably drinking more than normal which I think with urinary problems is a good thing. Until I realized that the problem was steming from going to the bathroom I want paying much attention. But, since last night when I finally realized that was where the problem was stemming from he has pooped twice and peed 3-4 times, one of those times being a small amount and all blood. I think I will call the vet again tomorrow to get some more questions answered and hopefully give myself piece of mind that with treatment he will be ok. Thank you both so much, I need this positive support and pass on optimism to Dooley instead of working him up with my tears.

It's frightening when a beloved pet gets ill for the first time.  It sounds like you are doing the right things, and you've got some good suggestions from @FireNat  and @cat nap.  You definitely came to the right place for encouragement and support.  

DooleysMom said:

Thank you both so much. I'm just trying to find hope. When reading online everything is made to sound so scary and serious about the different conditions so it has me a wreck. Dooley is eating normal and I think he's probably drinking more than normal which I think with urinary problems is a good thing. Until I realized that the problem was steming from going to the bathroom I want paying much attention. But, since last night when I finally realized that was where the problem was stemming from he has pooped twice and peed 3-4 times, one of those times being a small amount and all blood. I think I will call the vet again tomorrow to get some more questions answered and hopefully give myself piece of mind that with treatment he will be ok. Thank you both so much, I need this positive support and pass on optimism to Dooley instead of working him up with my tears.

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Yes, I think that is a good way to make a plan for yourself, too.  I find when I write things down, it just contains my thoughts and fears.  But by asking my vet, (and I had once had to go in and ask my vet in person, which took only 5 minutes, but to me, it just made me feel better.), I just was able to not worry as much. (still did....just less)

I do think going online is great, too, but it is true, there is so much information that I end up thinking the worst case scenerios.  I think it is much better to read the material, and take point form notes,  but not jump to any conclusions until all bloodwork, urine, and tests are in.

And its great what you said about hope....never give that up.  Always try to think positive thoughts.....which is easier said than done.  (I have not figured out how to do it yet, either....but I do come to TCS...and will do specific searches for cat illnesses and nutrition threads....even if they are old.   I will skim through them and subscribe to them and sometimes read them later, when I feel up to it.)

By you posting, its even better, because a member may see it who had that same specific issue.

betsygee said:

 
It's frightening when a beloved pet gets ill for the first time.  It sounds like you are doing the right things, and you've got some good suggestions from @FireNat  and @cat nap.  You definitely came to the right place for encouragement and support.  

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thanks @betsygee....I totally forgot to mention @FireNat's advice....and also the fact that this site offers a lot of encouragement and support.  I have only been here three months, and see how positive and strong, caring cat members, like yourself, are, to all of us.

Maybe I worry more than most but Dooley has been sleeping most of today which is a little out of the ordinary for him. To ease my mind I looked up the side effects of his antibiotic but did not see that as a side effect, although I did see loss of appetite, and he isn't eating like normal. Within my search I started doing more research on uti's and read up on crystals in male cats. The vet didn't do any in depth tests, he just felt around Dooleys stomach. Dooley did pee twice early this morning but hasn't been in the box since. As soon as I start feeling a little relief about one thing something else gets me worked back up. I don't know what to do.

DooleysMom said:

Maybe I worry more than most but Dooley has been sleeping most of today which is a little out of the ordinary for him. To ease my mind I looked up the side effects of his antibiotic but did not see that as a side effect, although I did see loss of appetite, and he isn't eating like normal. Within my search I started doing more research on uti's and read up on crystals in male cats. The vet didn't do any in depth tests, he just felt around Dooleys stomach. Dooley did pee twice early this morning but hasn't been in the box since. As soon as I start feeling a little relief about one thing something else gets me worked back up. I don't know what to do.

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Sometimes, it is hard to tell if a cat is sleeping from not feeling well or a side effect.   (I know my dog was so sleepy, and nauseous on one antibiotic, so I asked the vet to switch....but this was after 3 days).

For your cat Dooley, I wonder if the antibiotic is making him feel nauseous as well, so he does not feel like eating. Just give him watered down, and slightly warmed up, wet cat food, and maybe he will eat more, since warming it will make if smell stronger.

Has anything you read mentioned how long the treatment is for?