Tiger is a butthead

@dawnald (85135)
Shingle Springs, California
November 17, 2012 10:54am CST
So last week his eating started dropping off, he vomited a few times, and then stopped eating altogether. I took him to the vet, and found out he had a urinary blockage. So after they unblocked him, drained his bladder and flushed his system out, I brought him home. And how did the butthead thank me for saving his life? He peed on the bed. Cats! You gotta love them... Unfortunately he got blocked again, so I had him into the vet yesterday. She found some strange little black balls in his bladder. She said they were caused by blood in the urine. So she's checking with an internist, and we're going to talk treatment options. Apparently it's pretty rare, and she's never seen a case of it. When one of the kids is sick it's always Dearra. When one of the cats is sick it's always Tiger. No doubt we'll figure it out eventually. I wonder how he'll thank me this time.
8 people like this
27 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
17 Nov 12
Eclipse had a urinary tract infection a few months ago. He let me know about it by peeing in the clean clothes basket. He happened to pee on a white sock and I noticed the pee was bloody. So he went to the vet and got checked out, but he kept peeing in my clothes basket so I had to bring him back to make sure he was all straightened out.. and he was. Apparently peeing in the clothes basket has become a habit for him. Yesterday I noticed Twilight peeing in the dirty clothes basket.. but I think she was only doing that because the litter was messy. My oldest is supposed to scoop and change it, but you know I gotta get on him to do that.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Nov 12
Maybe a product to get the smell out of the basket, and cat atttractant liitter?
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
27 Nov 12
Suuure, they're probably promising to feed and walk the dog. Good luck with that!
• United States
21 Nov 12
I've cleaned the baskets numerous times.. but between the younger kids who can still occasionally have accidents, and the cats.. the smell doesn't stay out for long. Then you've got the fact that the litter boxes aren't cleaned regularly because apparently I have to do everything around here! And they're talking about how they want a dog.. pfft!!
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
17 Nov 12
How I wish our pets could reciprocate our kind deeds in better ways than peeing in places that we least expect. One of my six dogs has found a way of drawing my attention with the most unexplained reason. When he find my bedroom door open he'll quickly jump on the bed and ease himself on my bed. Luckily he is a small dog and his poops are the size of marbles but give me extra work to change the whole bed covers. I guess we don't really understand the language of the animal kingdom.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Nov 12
Peeing on the bed may have meant,"mom, I'm mad at you for leaving me there". But it could also have meant, "mom I"m not better". He's been back to the vet twice since then.
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
17 Nov 12
You know how UTIs are, it hurts so they look to find other places to go. I guess he tried your bed...
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
21 Nov 12
That too. Doctor ignored me for a whole day when I came back from a vacation.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Nov 12
Maybe, or could have been payback for a 3 day vet stay
1 person likes this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
17 Nov 12
Gee, it sounds like Murphy. You never know what she's going to do next. She peed on the sewing table a few days ago, and last night to get even with my being gone all day she peed on an envelope on the kitchen counter. A couple of weeks ago she tried to crawl in the planter in my window. The planter, watering ball and the African Violets all ended up in the sink. After an hour of cleaning and replanting I found her happily sleeping on my bed. I love her dearly and can excuse some of it because she is 18 years old, but it does get a bit tired having to keep cleaning up after her. Since she can't talk, I only can guess at what her problems are...like when she didn't like the litter I was using and she was pooping in my Mom's potted plants. Boy was that a fight!!! I finally figured that it was the litter and that problem ended...but with cats they find fiendish ways to get even for your taking them to the vet and leaving them in that noisy smelly place. When he comes home, I suggest that you lay the plastic painters tarp over the bed...they're rather cheap (I think around $2-$3) and it would save having to change the bedding and wash everything again. The little black balls and the blockages sound like stones...are you feeding him dry cat food? Are you feeding him brands like Smart Kitty, Friskies, Meow Mix? Those brands are really high in ash content and it's the ash content that cause the urinary tract problems and the stones. When he comes home start him on a low ash food and see if things change. I lost one of my cats because of kidney stones, and it was all because of the food.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Nov 12
Blue Buffalo only, and mostly canned.
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
21 Nov 12
It sounds like maybe he is getting too much protein. That sounds crazy because cats are normally carnivores, but they do augment their diet with grasses and also you can count the bones from the rodents they catch...(EEEEEEWWWWWWWWW!!!!)anyhow, cut back a bit on the moist and give him a touch more kibble. Also you might add cat grass to the diet. You can either monitor his eating of the grass (don't let him have total access to the pot, they will really over eat the stuff, it's just a blend of grass that is beneficial to cats but they love the stuff and will mow it shorter than a sheep will mow your lawn!!! I speak from experience! I bought a pot of cat grass, set it in the window and Murphy ate the whole works-she left the pot and dirt behind. She threw up like nobody's business...the floor looked like a goofy golfer left all his divots on the floor! I now only let them have the grass a maximum of three times a week.) There is another option, and that is that there could be something in Blue Buffalo that he is allergic to. I know that Blue is the best and that it is totally wholesome, but there could be a grain or ingredient that he can't quite handle. I have had the problem with my cats. It took some investigation on my part but I finally would find the problem and correct it. I ended up having to feed the one cat a mixture of baby food and tuna! The poor little girl couldn't handle any grains. I would get either beef, chicken or turkey baby food and mix in the tuna...she flourished with that diet. I also made sure she had access to as much water as she wanted. I have a huge dishpan that I have for both the dogs and cats to get their drinking water. I keep it in the bath tub of all places!!! I found that the water stays fresher, cleaner and in the summer months where our temperatures can reach as high as 115 degrees the water is cooler. I haven't had any complaints from the critters about the water so I guess they don't mind jumping in the tub (well the cats have to jump in the tub, Abby the pit/lab mix just stands outside the tub and leans over to get her water). I really wish I could be more help! I'm going to check my cat books and see if there is anything about your cat's problem in them. I'll post if I find anything.
1 person likes this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
21 Nov 12
Two more things, first find out what the vet is feeding the cat while he is there. Obviously he is doing better when he is at the vet's so there has to be a reason beyond the extra care. Secondly, I checked Blue Buffalo and the canned foods have potatoes in them, it could be that Tiger can't handle the potatoes. I know that when Murphy has potatoes they sit on her stomach for about two hours and then she will barf up potato balls...(again, EEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!) so I make sure she doesn't get anything that has potatoes in it. The thing about cats is that they can eat a particular food for ages and do fine and suddenly their system can't handle it any longer because of the build up of a certain nutrient. That could be Tiger's case. I really hope Tiger gets better soon, I am very worried about your little boy. I know if one of my critters was sick I would go crazy with worry. (I have four cats and three dogs...plus another four outside cats) I am praying for Tiger...and will be doing further research to see what else might be causing the problem.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Nov 12
Yes, that is the way it works. At least, my experience with my menagerie over the years suggests that is the proper order of the universe... I do hope Tiger feels better. Poor kitty. My boy has been down that road, and he says that he very much does not recommend it.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
27 Nov 12
He looks a lot better.
@missybear (11391)
• United States
18 Nov 12
Get the pooper scooper ready
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
27 Nov 12
Alas, poop is not the problem...
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
For pee?
@missybear (11391)
• United States
22 Nov 12
Poop
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
17 Nov 12
I think I would be investing in some clear shower curtains to cover my bed. Been thinking of you Dawnald and how we have not been hearing from you. Of course I could have missed a post or two. Yeah, you gotta love the perpetual sick ones.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
I suppose, but he did it while I was in the bed, and I'm not going to sleep under plastic. I've had him into the vet twice since I posted this,, and I think it's starting up again. blah... I've been working. That, a house, three kids and a boyfriend doesn't leave a lot of myLot time. How have you been?
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
18 Nov 12
PRobably the same way! my puppy had porvo and go t him to the vet in time and when he got well he loves all over me sometimes to hard as have to ptotect the groin area (mine) where they ent in to put the stents he seems to wanto hit that area when he jumps up and also runs all over my swollen foot lol I know he dont know it hurts
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
And Tiger doesn't know how gross cat pee on a bed is!
@AmbiePam (85440)
• United States
17 Nov 12
My dog when she had a urinary tract infection peed on my bed. I thought she was just doing it to be ornery, but the vet said when they have UTI they gotta go when they gotta go. Her urine had blood in it. I'm just glad my dog has never had diarrhea on my bed.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
yeah that would be worse...
@BarBaraPrz (45476)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
17 Nov 12
So that's where you've been! Shuttling Tiger to the vets! Hope he gets better soon.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Nov 12
That and working, hanging out with the boyfriend, the kids, etc. Tiger's a mess. I hope this last vet run and the meds he's on will fix the problem.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
17 Nov 12
Pets certainly have a way of expressing themselves. Our dog used to pee in my son's shoes when he would stay overnight with a friend...or pee on his bed too. I took it as him being angry. Maybe Tiger doesn't like all they did to him? I guess that would be my explaination for it!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Nov 12
Or letting me know that alll was not well
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
18 Nov 12
I am just going to guess that Tiger does not like the vets office very much. Poor thing is probably in some pain because of his issues. Hopefully he will thank you this time by peeing in his litter box.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
Once he is better. I need to get the smell out of the carpet too.
@tatzkie23 (770)
• Philippines
18 Nov 12
aww..sorry to hear that. It amazes me that you really do love your cats. Because I think that in my country, they don't usually do that to their cats. I mean sometimes they just ignored it, i could also see some stray cats on the streets. Too bad.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
They probably feed them more natural food thete and they don't get the condition
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
17 Nov 12
He will cuddle up next to you on the couch, and make those pretty peering sounds they make. Take care there.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Nov 12
Oh, he did, but he's been sick again twice since then. I'm really worried about him.
• United States
18 Nov 12
Poor Tiger. Pet him for me. I hope he will be ok.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
I hope so too
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
19 Nov 12
WOw..I have never heard of that before. I wonder what is causing him to get blocked. Can it be something he is eating..not his food..something else. I have heard of dogs eating stuff that causes them to be blocked but never a cat. I think it was intestinal blockage then too though. Not sure the thank you is going to be a pleasant one.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
It's fairly common in male cats. Sometimes it is the food, but not always.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
18 Nov 12
Cats are not just pets,they are part of the family! We will do anything we can to make them feel better! No matter if it is a cat,a dog or other animal! We love them even when they drive us nuts from time to time! Just like you cat Tiger! I hope he gets better soon!
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
I hope so too. Me and my bank account.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
20 Nov 12
Mom, are you really going to complain when that is the only kind of thanks that he is able to give you? ROFL But seriously, I do think that even though Tiger did thank you by peeing on the bed, he does know that you are looking out for his well-being and that you are concerned about him. There are times that it seems that even we are doing the things that are the best for them, they just don't understand what someone is really trying to do for them. Peeing on the bed was just his way of saying that he doesn't like going to the vet's office.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
Yes, I'm sure that's what it was.
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
18 Nov 12
One of my cats had a urinary blackage once. He didn't pee anywhere he wasn't supposed to though. I was told by the vet that it was caused by a dry cat food with high ash content so I switched foods and it was okay after that. It can be VERY serious if it continues. I hope it is over for him and he is healthy!
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
Very serious. I hope he continues to recover.
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
20 Nov 12
What are you feeding him? Is he fixed? It's very common for male cats to get this especially as they age. They make special food for urinary blockages, and crystals. My SIL has this problem with one of her cats, sometimes it needs secial medication. I hope he gets better and nothing serious. But sounds like you treat them well, I know my cats have come home from the vet, and peed on things including my bed. Sort of saying see thats what you get for taking me there.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Nov 12
Canned food, Blue Buffalo, mostly, and yes.