Strong anmoinia smell to urine.

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kittyluv

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My 15 yr old cat "Hopper" had diabetes 5 yrs ago, snd is now insulin free. But now has hyperthyroidism. When he had diabetes he was 21 lbs. Now he is 12 lbs!! His pee smells of strong anmonia (sp) and he is constaantly licking his tummy.
Other than that, he is eating fine drinking water (not too much) and seems alert. But something seems off about him and I know another trip to the vet will cost me $700.00!! Anything I can do before I take him in? He was last seen a yr ago. Thanks so much for any advice. I know this board was so comforting 5 yrs ago when he had diabetes.
 
He does not drink alot like he did when he had diabetes, but he pees abig amount-like a faucet-and we have to change the litter more often. The litter is so urine drenched that the cat box is very heavy. That cannot be right.
 
Did you home test him 5 years ago? Do you still have a glucometer? I would test his glucose to be sure he hasn't relapsed. The old strips are probably expired, so you would need to buy new strips. I would also check for ketones to rule that out.
 
Are you treating his Hyperthyroidism?

My hyperthyroid cat (before he was treated with daily Tapazole pills) peed huge lakes and licked all the fur off his belly and hind legs.

He is now getting pills every day (one cut in half pill per day), and he drinks/pees normal amounts and his fur grew back.
 
Yes I did home test, & still have a meter. My mom is also diabetic and tests herself. So I'll borrow her meter & strips.
Thanks. i also have ketone strips and the last time I tested, (3 months ago) it was negative for ketones.
 
Yes, He is taking a medication (a prescribed topical cream I rub into ear) but I forget the name..However I have seen no improvement in the past year that he has been on it.
 
BTW, his poop is also extemely smelly (almost makes you sick) - and why do they lick the hair on their belly and hind legs compulsively? does it hurt?
 
Go back to the vet and ask for Tapazole pills instead (aka methimazole or something like that). The cream is obviously not working.

If the dose is right -- and some adjustments are usually needed, the peeing will get better and the stinkiness should get better too.

Yes - the licking gets to the point of being compulsive. I've talked to Dawn Allen - animal communicator. She said that Buster says he is itchy all over and that was why he was licking - to scratch himself.

With the right dose, he no longer licks himself more than normal grooming -- his fur grew back.

He was diagnosed in November 2008. He started on 1/8 of a pill (1/4 was too much). Later he needed to increase to 1/4 of a pill, and more recently he had to increase to 1/2 of a pill. We find out he needs an increase because he starts peeing a lot again or seems ill and we go to the vet for a T4 blood test to confirm.

These pills taste bad, so we buy pill pockets to hide them inside a treat. We buy the big dog size because you get more for the money -- we just pinch off the amount we need to wrap around the treat, so one "pill pocket" covers about 4-5 pills. You can also use cheese or meat, but the Tapazole does have a bad taste - not everything will hide it successfully.
 
If you can get a "clean catch" specimen of urine - either with a clean, ladle catching it while he goes, or by using non-absorbent litter (ex aquarium gravel, or crystal litter) - place it in a clean, clear glass container and look at it. And if you can afford it, take it into the vet for urinalysis.

Is it very, very dark? Dehydration may cause urine to be very concentrated (and more smelly), and may certain types of infection may darken urine color.

Is it very, very light, almost clear? Diabetes and renal disease can have very dilute urine, as may uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. Renal disease may be accompanied by itching because the body cannot dispose of toxins effectively - they build up and it itches.

Does it appear to have blood in it? That suggests infection, cystitis, and stones as possibilities.
 
Sometimes he has "missed" the box, & some urine got on the floor which I wiped w/ a white cloth and then looked at it to see the color- no blood, I would say more on the lighter side than darker...But I will try to catch it with something next time.
How far in advance to vet appt can I do it? And then must I refrigerate it?
 
Generally, the fresher, the better. Maybe call and check their preferences. They may have a special container (sterile) for you to use, or instructions for cleaning the ladle and container you have.

Also, the absence of visible blood, while good, doesn't rule out any blood appearing in the urine, in quantities too small for the naked eye to see.
 
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