Urinating outside litter box/urinary crystals

[GatosLocos]

Hello everyone, I’m in desperate need of some advice for my 3 years old sphinx boy (neutered). He recently started urinating outside the litter box (he’s never done this before so I thought maybe it was an accident) he urinated on the sofa. Couple days later he urinated under the dinning room table. This is when I knew something was wrong. I took him to the vet they did a urine and ultra sound. Vet said it’s probably a uti but will get back to me with results. but to start taking antibiotic for 7 days.

Fast forward couple days later he stopped urinating outside the litter box and back to normal, vet calls and says that he has “crystals” in his urine. And that it was “food related” (he only has ever had solid gold cat food) so she told me to Change his food to the medicated hills urinary health one. So I did. And to stop the antibiotic.

The next day he stopped drinking water and and very little to no urine output, lethargic and kept licking his penis. I got very concerned and took him to the ER VET. To they did an emergency ultra sounds and said he does NOT have a blockage (yet) and that he has crystals (which I already knew and told them the story of the recent vet visit).
Vet told me to continue the original antibiotic and gave him pain meds and a medication for him to urinate more. For 7 days because of his licking was indicator of him being in pain. Also to mentioned to get a second litter box so he has more options to pee in. I got the feliway spray as directed and a water fountain.

It’s day 5 of the meds and he’s playing and eating but still isn’t drinking water. He used to chug water like nothing before especially after play time. Vet mentioned to put tuna juice in his water to encourage drinking and I did and he does help but I don’t want to be doing this every time for him to drink water. The fountain is on and he just walks right past it not interested. So I switched the kibble prescription food to the wet one and he was ok for the couple days I switched it and now he doesn’t care for it.

I check his box everyday and he is peeing but nothing compared to what he used too it would be a big puddle in his sand box and now it’s like less then half what he used too pee. He’s only 3 and he’s my whole world idk what to do. Has this ever happened to any of you? Any advice? I’d also like to mention he’s been SUPER clingy since this happened and he never been like this and it makes me scared that he’s tryin to tell me he’s going to pass away or something (I know I’m just giving myself anxiety but it’s hard to not think this because male urinary blockages are fatal). Please and advice or positive messages. I’ve always had male cats and never had this issue till now.

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , here for you. been there with my Yodaman 2 yr neutered. great job getting your baby (name?) to the vet .
there are two types of crystals.

** does he have struvite or oxalate crystals in urine?
let us know which he has and what name antibiotics.
My vet had me finish the antibiotics too., my vet did not do an ultrasound. Yoda man had Struvite urine crystals.

I then did a fresh urine catch at home for a recheck.
yeah, wasnt the easiest but got it done using a dollar store soup ladle.

when he started to pee in the box I slowly bent down and used a laddle to catch urine, put in a cup , refrigerated and dropped off to vet for a recheck in office for about $15

** My boy was put on hills rx c/d food wet and dry... He haated it with a passion, I mean hated it. would not eat for days.

he was drinking more water before his diagnosis. once he was healed I noticed the urine output was more normal nothing like the Huge pee balls.

I told my vet I would switch foods and gave up on RX foods. I am in the US.
I switched to a bowl of dry :
NON rx Hills urinary hairball dry ( the hairball part of formula fiber and solid poos)
a bowl of dry Nutrisource cat and kitten food and
a bowl of Proplan Urinary focus canned food. (alternative I switched to bcz he refused hills c/d ). it comes in different flavors, variety pack, 3 oz or 5 oz cans. I get the 5 oz can version. the fav of all is the whitefish or chicken in gravy .

I buy online at chewy with discounts. can call them if he doesnt eat any of the foods you try.
** I will post pics of the foods in next comment

he would not use the drinkwell fountain. walked right by it.
I found using a large low profile corningware dish placed about 5 feet away from food was a game changer. he went to it like a little watering hole.
I got rid of fountain bcz not used by my 4 and has invisible slim that builds up in the bowl part and motor. I got tired of weekly taking apart the motor and soaking in water and white vinegar and fountain never used.

Yoda man's uti went away with the antibiotics. with these food combo he never had a uti again in nearly 10 yrs (got his angel wings heart related).

my crew of 3 sphynx and one bengal cat , and one stray (2 males sphynx, 1 female sphynx, 1 bengal , one stray I take care of really mine now lol - all spayed/neteured) have never had a UTI with this food combination and they are all seniors now. ages 10 to 18 yrs old. NO vet visit for pee , skin or poo isues on this combo for a decade.

**sharing, my Batman, male neutered sphynx who is 13 1/2 yrs old now and has been a dry food addict since age 2 when I adopted him. Hates and runs in digust complaining if I put wet food infront of him! all brands, hi low cost. he wont eat wet food.

Batman has never had a UTI and will only eat the dry nutrisource cat and kitten food and the Hills urinary hairball non rx. he drinks good out of a large bowl of water kept 5 feet away from his food dish. they all go to the dish as a watering hole. they hated the double dish I tried with one side of food and one side water.



*I am not a vet but sharing what worked for my boy with a struvite crystal UTI and urine sample rechecks.



there is a difference in the crystals. let us know which he has and the antibiotics.
members will surely chime in. we are here for you and your boy.
following closely for updates. all paws are family. hugs n speedy recovery vibes.

**when I was shopping for food changed, I looked for lower magnesium levels and called food companies for their DRY matter % of magnesium and calcium

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , will post pics here are of foods that worked for my Yodaman's UTI and kept him and my crew UTI free.
this bag of hills urinary hairball non rx. I get online with discounts
nutrisource not sold in big box stores, I get at k9cuisine .com
or can buy direct for from nutrisource.

of course, always have to preface check with your vet*

 

[Yoda mom]

they make a dry formula too and have variety pack of wet food flavors @GatosLocos

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , I called food companies and asked for the DRY matter % of phosphate, magnesium and calcium.

sharing my Yodaman refused all the rx urinary foods at vet. My vet took back the hills c/d ,refunded, applied it to try the other RX foods they carry in office, the Royal canin S/O and Purina UR version rx. he refused all 3 brands of rx. my vet was shocked. so I told her was trying the non rx I shared pics of and it worked.

oddly he loved the hills non rx urinary hairball and the purina proplan urinary tract health chicken and the whitefish NON rx. ate it for nearly 10 yrs and never another UTI. he liked the nutrisource too from the photo. just free fed a dish of each.

he just would not eat the RX versions for some reason

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , years ago when my boy had his UTI I shared this image I found online, sorry it posted pic twice when I did full image

 

[Catzzzmeow]

We had a girl on prescriptive urinary food. There were times she would turn her nose up…our vet said it is common and an issue for some because they get bored of it. We tried a few different prescriptive foods playing around with textures…stew, pate etc. You can talk to your vet about changing…also (I can’t recall name) but they can work a bit differently and definitely made her drink a lot more. You can also add a couple of tablespoon of water to their wet.

 

[GatosLocos]

THANK YOU so much for this post! You’ve made me feel so much better and all these solution are way more helpful then the vet truly.

My sphynx boy is named Miklo. As for the name of the type of crystals I can not recall the type but what she told me was that it “wasn’t a uti it’s food related crystals formation” so that’s the reason she had put him in the hills urinary rx food.

I’m am going to return the water fountain he still refuses to use it. He actually likes to drink from our filtered water system like those ones that are placed in offices with little paper cups, we removed the little gate thing so that he can drink clean filtered cold water. That’s how he would drink his water BEFORE this and now doesn’t even touch that either

I will try putting a flatter dish like you said somewhere a little away from his food. Like I said before the only thing that helped him actually drink some water was adding tuna juice to his water bowl.

I’m going to try those brands of food and actually go and return the rx food because all of this is getting expensive. The initial vet visit with the food added was $550. I’m in the US too, the ER vet visit with the meds was about $250. So I’m trying to do what I can without spending too much. I was already planning on spending a lot of he had a blockage I didn’t care how much it was gonna cost. Just glad he didn’t have that. But when the vet said “yet” made me paranoid.

The antibiotic that was given at the vet visit was call “Clavamox Drops“. He finished that. And is about to finish the medication the ER vet that is supposed to help him urinate easier called “Phenoxybenzamine 5mg Suspension /ml”
And “Buprenorphine Oral Sol/ml - 0.3mg/ml”
For the pain.

I’ve been looking online and seen that there is Pedialyte but for cats? Call PETialyte. I seen it on Amazon and it has good reviews, have anyone here used anything like that? Or “cat water” I’ve seen on Amazon as well.

I’m so glad to hear that once the UTI went away it didn’t comeback for your babies, because I keep seeing horror stories that shit doesn’t go say ever etc. I just want my little man normal again.

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos we are here for you and sweet Miklo. All paws are family. I highly recommend getting copies of his records and tests. I am perplexed about them saying has crystals and it's not a uti? If it wasn't uti then what are the meds treating for just to be clear. I always ask questions so my vet and I on the same page . I personally would call back and ask for all records and the bottom line what was written as his diagnosis . Ask if it was urine struvite or oxalate crystals? My vet will always email me records mo charge at my request. Hugs n head smooches following for updates. Sharing My boy was hard to give pills to. My vet gave a Jorgensen pill popper and I learned some ways to make easier if you need any tips. You got this we are here for you
Following for updates

 

[Yoda mom]

@Catzzzmeow any info on food related crystals that are not a uti? In above post?

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , which hills rx food was he given? is it Hills C/D ? him not liking it, you could talk with vet to see if Royal Canin S/O or. Purina UR would be an option for him to exchange food for his diagnosis and while under treatment before buying a bunch of other food.

I am not a vet and not familiar with crystals that are food related crystals and not a UTI. my boy had a struvite crystal UTI.


@GatosLocos *always check with vet before making food changes to see what is best for his specific diagnosis.

I have heard of the petialyte but have not used it. a good question for his vet along with questions about food

 

[GatosLocos]

@GatosLocos , which hills rx food was he given? is it Hills C/D ? him not liking it, you could talk with vet to see if Royal Canin S/O or. Purina UR would be an option for him to exchange food for his diagnosis and while under treatment before buying a bunch of other food.

I am not a vet and not familiar with crystals that are food related crystals and not a UTI. my boy had a struvite crystal UTI.


@GatosLocos *always check with vet before making food changes to see what is best for his specific diagnosis.

I have heard of the petialyte but have not used it. a good question for his vet along with questions about food

Sorry too the late reply; sadly I had to take miklo back to the er vet this past Saturday
I got home from work Friday 7am (I work nights) and miklo had no urine in his box, I woke my husband up and told him and he said he’d watch him and if he didn’t go within couple hours he’d take him to the ER.

Fast forward to couple hours later my husband wakes me up to tell
Me he’s taking miklo back to the vet. We get there and we wait 6hrs to be seen (2 very sick doggos came in). Vet did a xray to see if he has stones and results came back clear no stones. However, I asked what type of crystals miklo has because his normal vet never got back to me over phone. She told me that they don’t have access to that information unless I send it over?!

This is miklos 3rd doctor visit at this point so I’m starting to get frustrated. The er vet told me that this issue can be frustrating and can last a long time and that the hills urinary c/d food (he loves it but he hates the wet hills can food) will help dissolve the crystals. She doubled the medication I posted previously, the one to help urinate more and one to help with inflammation/pain.

Up until that point he wasn’t drinking water, I returned the water fountain and places his water bowl a couple feet away from his food, to my surprise HE ACTUALLY WAS DRINKING WATER. As of Sunday he’s been eating drinking water like a normal cat again. I also found all his pee slots he was peeing at behind our sofa (it was so hard to clean I had to buy the enzyme cleaner and black light) luckly since I cleaned up he has not continued to pee in that spot! Even though I bought a second litter box he’s not stepped foot in it just sniffs and walks away.

I really hope after finishing this round of meds and him continuing the hills diet that this will go away, I appreciate all the information I got from everyone! It’s help so much. Idk what I would have done without this forum. Thank you again!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Oh geez… lots going on for you guys and that definitely is stressful. Glad to hear he is drinking/eating. Let’s hope it is all behind you know. Keep us updated.

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , oh my, biggest hugs and continued speedy recovery vibes team Miklo. . he has the best of love and care. I know how looong the wait is at the ER vets. I am glad there were no stones. I hope your regular vet calls you back, or call them again and ask what kind of crystals. I always ask vet to email all test results and have on hand for my records.

I am glad he is eating and drinking. the water bowl away from the food dish definitely a game changer here too. glad he eats the hills dry C/D. and since he hates the wet version, can ask if maybe trying a couple of cans of Royal canin S/O or purina UR wet food to see if he likes. or the purina proplan urinary health (non rx). has kept mine crystal free. they like the chicken and gravy or the oceanwhitefish.

great job using the enzyme cleaner and black light. is the second litter box the same style? location can make a difference . when I add a new litter box, I take a scoop of pee/poo from the old and put it in the new litter box.

all paws are family. we are here for you and Miklo. love to see pics of your baby! following closely for updates.. you got this.. hugs n head smooches

 

[GatosLocos]

@GatosLocos , oh my, biggest hugs and continued speedy recovery vibes team Miklo. . he has the best of love and care. I know how looong the wait is at the ER vets. I am glad there were no stones. I hope your regular vet calls you back, or call them again and ask what kind of crystals. I always ask vet to email all test results and have on hand for my records.

I am glad he is eating and drinking. the water bowl away from the food dish definitely a game changer here too. glad he eats the hills dry C/D. and since he hates the wet version, can ask if maybe trying a couple of cans of Royal canin S/O or purina UR wet food to see if he likes. or the purina proplan urinary health (non rx). has kept mine crystal free. they like the chicken and gravy or the oceanwhitefish.

great job using the enzyme cleaner and black light. is the second litter box the same style? location can make a difference . when I add a new litter box, I take a scoop of pee/poo from the old and put it in the new litter box.

all paws are family. we are here for you and Miklo. love to see pics of your baby! following closely for updates.. you got this.. hugs n head smooches

Yes I’m going to have to tell the vet to email me all his records cause it’s been really frustrating with them, I understand the vet can be busy (the one I go to is 35min away) and is the best rated near me.

As for the liter box it’s the one that looks like a plant pot, our house is really small so the regular litter box is in our laundry room so it’s away from the living room kitchen etc. so I have the pot litter box near a hallway by our bathroom door. Still has not gone inside, that’s a great idea about placing some of his poop and pee in there! I’ll try that.

As for the we food I’m going to order the purina one that you mentioned, vet told me as long as he’s eating the C/D food it’ll help with crystals and he’s drinking the water now so that’s helping him pee again.

Here are some attach photos of my sweet boy, he’s partially blind in his right eye. He has a scar like cataracts from when he was a kitten his siblings scratched him and when I bought him from the breeder he had just finished his medications for his eye so he wouldn’t lose it completely. He’s my special boy. Apparently someone who was planning on adopting him refused because of his injury. It gives him character and he loves everyone

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , awh... Miklo was meant to be with you. Yes, he is a very special boy. bless your heart for all the love and care. glad the meds helped his eye.
he is soo handsome , I love the photos!! the legs stretched out remind me of my Batman who looks like Miklo and does the same thing.

* you can ask the vet if I drop vet gel would be good for maintenance. it is preservative free. My Yoda had a corneal sequestrum that healed with meds and ophthalmologist recommended the i drop vet gel for maintenance.

My diabetic pup was developing cataracts and my regular vet also suggested the same drops for him as maintenance.
( The drops do not sting. I tried the drops on myself, lol. I contacted the manufacture and the ingredients are the same as the people version but not avail in the US and they cannot say to use in humans)

I get the I drop vet gel on line. (chewy etc). * always check with your vet first.
glad you asked for copies of records, always good to have on hand. it can take a few days to get records if they are super busy, if you dont get them I would call back next week). check your spam/trash folder too.

glad Miklo is drinking and eating. hope he likes the food purina food. ( my Tobylove and Clairebare like it with a teenie bit of water mixed in).

Oh, the new litter box ... is it the goodpetstuff hidden litter box? ( it comes in different colors shapes) that comes with fake plant insert and moss ? if so*** please throw out the moss. mine tried eating it! I have 2 of those litter boxes and they are a favorite here! with my crew. my one kitty preferred the opening turned towards the wall or opening on an angle away from wall for easy in and out. the other fav i the catit jumbo litter box (it has a flap on the top that folds back, I always pop out the door flaps).

keep us updated , all paws sare family. we are here for you adorable Team Miklo! hugs n head smooches

 

[GatosLocos]

@GatosLocos , awh... Miklo was meant to be with you. Yes, he is a very special boy. bless your heart for all the love and care. glad the meds helped his eye.
he is soo handsome , I love the photos!! the legs stretched out remind me of my Batman who looks like Miklo and does the same thing.

* you can ask the vet if I drop vet gel would be good for maintenance. it is preservative free. My Yoda had a corneal sequestrum that healed with meds and ophthalmologist recommended the i drop vet gel for maintenance.

My diabetic pup was developing cataracts and my regular vet also suggested the same drops for him as maintenance.
( The drops do not sting. I tried the drops on myself, lol. I contacted the manufacture and the ingredients are the same as the people version but not avail in the US and they cannot say to use in humans)

I get the I drop vet gel on line. (chewy etc). * always check with your vet first.
glad you asked for copies of records, always good to have on hand. it can take a few days to get records if they are super busy, if you dont get them I would call back next week). check your spam/trash folder too.

glad Miklo is drinking and eating. hope he likes the food purina food. ( my Tobylove and Clairebare like it with a teenie bit of water mixed in).

Oh, the new litter box ... is it the goodpetstuff hidden litter box? ( it comes in different colors shapes) that comes with fake plant insert and moss ? if so*** please throw out the moss. mine tried eating it! I have 2 of those litter boxes and they are a favorite here! with my crew. my one kitty preferred the opening turned towards the wall or opening on an angle away from wall for easy in and out. the other fav i the catit jumbo litter box (it has a flap on the top that folds back, I always pop out the door flaps).

keep us updated , all paws sare family. we are here for you adorable Team Miklo! hugs n head smooches

Update: I finally got the info from the vet for my records I will post below!

As for the littler box it’s the one from Amazon, it does have the fake plant on top but now moss just black rocks to look decorative. He still doesn’t use it by the way and it was $100 I tried putting some used litter from his box I’ll kept doing it to see if he will change his mind, he keeps going in like peeking like if he WANTS to use it but changes his mind lol.

As for the purina food omg I ordered it I came I opened it and miklo HATES IT one snif and he was like NO. I left if a bit thinking he might now be too hungry and might eat later and with in 5mins he was telling me he wanted the dry kibble by rubbing up on the bag of food haha. Sooo I guess he just likes the kibble hills chicken. I’m going to see if I can return the purina.

Also he should be finishing up his meds this coming up Saturday and I’m really hoping after the medication is done this doesn’t come back because the first time we finished the meds it still was happening. Paws crossed

Also the gel drops I am really interested in those because miklo does get more dry eye in his bad eye. I didn’t even know they sold that. Thank you for that recommendation <3

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , awh,, which flavor did Miklo not like? I hope they can refund or exchange.
glad you got a copy of lab work to keep on hand.
all paws crossed too that the meds does trick this time around.
you can ask your vet about the eyedrops.
is he using the new litter box yet? have tried Dr elseys litter attractant ? (new packaging image, I just ordered on sale on amazon, $11 us). it is only 20 ounces and I believe to use with unscented clumping litter , details on their website.
I will let you know how it works. I saw mixed reviews. I have Raven I take care of and trying to transition her to a new litter box. I took lid off the jumbo catit litter box to give it a try. they are so darn picky.

I feel you, My Batman a total dry food addict after a zillion different wet foods. he runs in disgust complaining and tail twitching and wants the hills urinary hairball and nutrisource cat and kitten food. been that way since 2 years old, now 13 1/2 yrs old. My other two love the purina ocean fish urinary health with a little water added to it. they like it a little more than the chicken in gravy, they hated the beef version.

following closely for updates, hugs n head smooches

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , checking in for updates on adorable Miklo. hugs n head smooches

 

[GatosLocos]

@GatosLocos , checking in for updates on adorable Miklo. hugs n head smooches

Hello! Sorry for the late reply but I was about to do an update about how good he’s been doing, eating food drinking water playing like usual. However just this week he started peeing again on the same couch! It was only once (just like before) so I bought a water proof couch cover and thank god I did because just found a puddle of pee on it today. I’m going to have to take him in again and get more meds. Idk why this keeps happening now. I was hoping everything was ok but it’s happening all over. He slept with me ALL day today too and that’s how he was when he first got sick was him just wanting to sleep all day. I’m beyond stressed out now because I don’t want him to be in pain like this all the time.

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , awh... ((hugs))) I cant imagine how stressful this all is for you and sweet Miklo. glad you have a followup vet appointment. ** you can ask if doxycline would be indicated. some antibiotics work better than others with our babies or a little longer course of meds. we are here for you.

I keep on hand the mistermax anti icky poo (comes scented and unscented) my vets office sells it but I got a gallon online of each on chewy to see which I liked better (chewy has great customer service can ask to return if not satisfied)
( breeder recommended anti icky poo ). I actually use it to spray on cat and dog beds, blankets. there is info on the website, their is an "injector" too for carpets etc. of course color fast test in a small area . I use it on the carpet for occasional barf spots from my pups.

tagging @PurranhasDen to chime in with her baby spike and his "Duvet". we are here for you. she used the anti icky poo.

Anti-Icky-Poo | mister-max

MISTERMAX Manufacturer of ANTI-ICKY-POO OFFICIAL SITE, MisterMax Quality Products, Stain Remover

www.mistermax.com

please keep us updated with what vet says

, all paws are family. you got this. hugs n head smooches adorable team Miklo.

 

[PurranhasDen]

Ah yes, the duvet chronicles!! Baby Spike is doing well. The duvet is back on ‘his’ bed. I don think it was ever anything physical with Spike. His vet ruled out infection or anything of that ilk. With Spike, it was anxiety and territory issues. I used the Anti icky poo stuff on the bedding and all. Very helpful for odors and stains. I also have several Feliway diffusers going. Spike wears a Sentry pheromone collar and his vet recommended a supplement called Zylkene. It’s apparently a precursor of tryptophan and comes in a capsule you can break open and mix with their wet food. All of that, along with getting him neutered as soon as his vet would do it seemed to have fixed the issues.
Spike pic for tax…

 

[GatosLocos]

thank you for replying with your situation, my boy has his appointment tomorrow. Im leaning more toward anxiety/stress for miklo because our our neighbors indoor/outdoor cats! I find them looking in our windows or by our front door, and our front door has mini window like squares in it so miklo and see them and they can see him. We have closed the curtains but miklo will cry and pull on them because he loves to look outside during the day with the birds/ people walking etc.

I hope the vet offers something for him to relax. He has 2 litter boxes (now uses both of them) he’s eating and drinking water and IS peeing a normal amount, but I keep finding little puddles of pee on the same couch he originally peed on even with the couch water proof cover.

 

[PurranhasDen]

Definitely try both the Zylkene and the Sentry collar. Good thing is that hey both work pretty quick so you’ll know in short order.

 

[Yoda mom]

@GatosLocos , keep us updated on Miklo's vet visit today. hugs n positive vibe head smooches.
for years I keep anti icky poo on hand to wash dog beds , cat blankets. I got it to have justs in case when I adopted kitties.
my vets office sells the smaller spray bottles. I got the gallon size online on chewy for about $25. , scented and unscented. I wrote more about it in reply above. there is a carpet injector too on their website. you can call company and ask about using on sofa, wash waterproof cover with it with a few sprays. I use it in my HE machine no problems.

Anti-Icky-Poo | mister-max

MISTERMAX Manufacturer of ANTI-ICKY-POO OFFICIAL SITE, MisterMax Quality Products, Stain Remover

www.mistermax.com