Behavior Problems/UTI

My 8 year old cat, Asti, has recently had trouble trying to pee so I took him to the vet thinking he may have a UTI. The last time I took him for this, the doctor gave him a shot & he was able to pee & went right back to his normal behavior. This time, I was told that there didn't feel like there was any blockage & given amitriptyline & switched his diet to a urinary tract diet. Now that he's home, he doesn't go to the bathroom regularly but still seems to struggle to get very little pee out & is acting very oddly. I saw neither blood nor mucus in the pee either. He won't sleep near me for long & doesn't eat as much as he used to. Does it take a while for his medicine/diet to fix his problems or do I need to take him back? I do not have a lot of money but I don't want him hurting so I want to do all that I can for him. If anyone has any advice, please help.

How long  ago did you go to the vet? Is the not eating as much a new development since then? Is his not sleeping by you a new development since then?

Based on your post I would take him back to the vet, yes.  Changes in behavior and appetite are warning signs, and it's not good that he is still struggling to pee.

I am sorry you and he are going through this.

I took him to the vet around 3 pm yesterday. Yes, these are new behaviors. I opened another can of the prescribed wet food & he ate some of it, a small bit of dry food, & drank some water. He was able to poop bit kept trying to pee but seems to not have any luck. It's really frustrating. The vet doesn't open for another hour and a half & I'm not even sure I can pay for much to be done. Thank you for the reply.

Is the dry food his old food?

I probably would take him back to make sure he's not blocked unfortunately :/ If he is blocked that will basically quickly lead to a very painful death if untreated (sorry that sounds really negative, but it is true) so I do think you should rule that out. You can always call your vet when they open and see what they say too.  They should be willing/able to tell you on the phone whether they think you need to come in.

Good luck.  Please keep us updated.

The dry food is also new & for urinary tract health. She did a physical exam & said that he didn't feel blocked but he's chubby so I guess there's a possibility she was wrong. I just want my poor cat to be healthy again. He hasn't meowed in pain or anything but the different behavior really worries me. He's resting next to me now. I'll be calling them asap. Thank you.

I took Asti to the vet & she said that his bladder was still tiny. They gave him some fluids under the skin to see if he'll pee it out. I'll be bringing him back later today for him to be checked again.

Such a stressful thing for both you and your cat. I hope the second vet visit is successful.

Thank you. I hope so as well.