possible UTI?

[Marci and Buddy]

Buddy peed in the bath tub today, something he has never done before, although i did see him in the tub ast week, for the first time. Litter box is clean, no problem there ..is that a sign of a UTI? if so, would that condition effect his blood levels? Havent been able to regulate him now for the longest time.I made an appt for him at the vets tommorw.
Would it be a good idea to get blood work done as well, since its been a year since last bloodwork, which was fine?
He doesnt feel sick, he's active , playful,purring, but eating and peeing alot. if it is a uti-is that serious?
thanks very much.

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Yep, UTI can effect BGs by raising them (any infection can). Good catch on "odd" elimination situation. If he has always been a good litter box user, this is something to follow up on. Jeddie is a recovering inappropriate pee-er who used to pee in the bath tub so I would not think anything of it, but if Beau did it I would be a bit alarmed.

Let us know what the vet says.

 

[Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin]

Make sure you have them send out the sample for a culture and sensitivity. That way you know for sure and aren't treating with unnecessary ABs, plus if there is an infection, you get the right AB to treat it, so you don't have to do the UTI dance.

Gandalf was treated for 3 UTI's because of "uncontrollable" diabetes and they saw "bacteria" on slides. It was not until I had a C&S done that came back no growth, meaning there was no infection present, that I stopped treating him for UTIs.

UTI seems to be an easy diagnosis when a diabetic cat presents with inappropriate elimination, as in Gandalf's case. Interestingly, when he is controlled, he rarely pees outside the box.

Let us know what you find out.

 

[Marci and Buddy]

Wow Vicky-thank for letting me know about that. so i should not let them start him on an AB till the C&S test comes back?
If it wasnt a uti for Gandalf then what was it?

 

[Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin]

Wow Vicky-thank for letting me know about that. so i should not let them start him on an AB till the C&S test comes back?
If it wasnt a uti for Gandalf then what was it?

Unregulation. He had to pee so bad I guess he couldn't get to the box or because he was so miserable he wanted me to be miserable every time he did it! He showed no other typical signs, like straining or going back and forth in or to the box. But my vet would say we needed to do a urinalysis, she or the tech would see bacteria and diagnose a UTI - "He's diabetic, they are more prone to them because their urine is diluted."

And Dr. Lisa is the one to thank. She has harped about C&S's for possible UTI on the board for several years now. Here's what you need to know, from her website: http://www.catinfo.org/?link=urinarytracthealth Her info also prevented Gandalf from rupturing his bladder when I realized something was wrong and he experienced cystitis. He did not have stones or crystals, he just would not go. He acted odd that morning, his skin twitched across his back and he felt bloated. I rushed him to the vet and he ended up peeing a copious amount of urine all over their hallway, I guess from them palpating his belly. Interestingly enough, they sent me home with ABs, which Dr. Lisa also warns against as cystitis cases are not always due to an infection. I feel it was stress caused cystitis because that was not long after he had his thyroid surgery and a dental within about 6 weeks of one another (probably not a smart thing) and he got some type of infection, perhaps from the release of bacteria during dental, they put him on Clavamox which he can't tolerate and within 6 days of starting the Clavamox he was in ER with the cystitis.

But that's probably not what's going on with Buddy. Just wanted to give you my experience to show how right Dr. Lisa is about this UTI/urinary stuff.

 

[pamela and tigger]

Marci, it is a good thing that you are bringing Buddy in for a checkup. I am sure your vet will run all the usual tests. Also be sure to get a copy of the bloodwork and urinalysis. Tell them to send you a copy.

Vicky is right about the C & S, but even just the urinalysis should tell a good deal if it is a UTI. Since Buddy doesn't seem to be in any pain ("He doesnt feel sick, he's active , playful,purring, but eating and peeing alot") then maybe you can ask your vet to hold off on giving any meds until they have a definitive answer if this is indeed a UTI or not. Like checking the urine specifiy gravity which is pretty simple. From a post from Dr. Lisa:

"Cystitis vs UTI - Check Urine Specific Gravity
Posted by: Lisa dvm (IP Logged)
Date: December 3, 2009 01:27AM

Sharyn & Fiona Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>Is
> there any real way to know w/out doing a C&S?

The first thing that I do with ANY cat that is showing UT symptoms is to check the urine specific gravity.

If it is high (over ~1.035) the chances of having an infection are extremely slim.....ie....1% if the cat does not have sugar in its urine. (Sugar in the urine raises the chance that a bug *could* grow in concentrated cat urine.)

If less than 1.030, the chances of a cat showing FLUTD (feline lower urinary tract disease) signs go up to ~25%...depending on what study you read.

When Bennie (my Obesity project) had FLUTD signs (bloody urine...urinating frequently/small amounts...looking like he felt lousy..) he was too fat to do a cysto on so I just banked on the fact that his chances of having an infection with a USG of 1.45 were slim to none. He got buprinex and love....to decrease his stress level...and time. He was fine with in 2-3 days.

I encourage my clients to take a urine sample to the vet and have them do a quick USG check. You only need a few drops of urine."

But on the other hand, I think in your case Marci complete blood work would be a good thing here since it has been a year, plus doing the urinalysis. In addition you might have your vet check his teeth too.

Please tell him how frustrated you are in trying to get his blood glucose levels down and show him your spreadsheet too. Hopefully, he will try and work with you and will be interested in what you are doing for your Buddy.

Please let us know how it turns out, okay?