Why is my cat lethargic, in pain, and not peeing after a storm?

Poor Oreo! Straining in the litter box can be caused by constipation, diarrhea, or urinary issues - it's often quite difficult to tell if a cat is straining to pee or poop, so it can be hard to differentiate these things if you aren't used to looking at them. The most concerning possibility is that Oreo may have a urinary obstruction, especially if you have not seen a significant amount of urine in either box since yesterday. This is unfortunately a very common problem in male cats, because their urethra is extremely narrow where it exits the penis - this area can often become "plugged" with crystals or mucus from the bladder. Signs of this problem include repeatedly going to the litter box without producing much urine, crying when trying to urinate, and often lethargy, decreased appetite, and vomiting. If he does have a urinary obstruction, this is a life-threatening emergency that needs immediate treatment, as the bladder can rupture and cause death within 24 hours in some cases. It's also possible that Oreo is using the litter box so much because he has diarrhea, or is having trouble passing stool because he is constipated. These problems are less common than urinary issues in my experience, but would still need to be treated by a vet - especially since he's been acting this way for two days now, and seems to be getting worse. I would recommend taking Oreo to the vet today for an exam. He/she can palpate his abdomen to check his bladder and colon, and may also recommend some diagnostic testing if needed to help diagnose the problem.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Oreo! Oreo should see a Vet today to be examined. Possible causes are: Intestinal parasites, urinary obstructions (unable to pee, this is life threatening), fluid in his belly (from feline infectious peritonitis), ate something that is stuck in his stomach or intestines, feline leukemia, a fever from an infection. His symptoms are too vague and can mean many things. In order to treat him he needs a diagnosis from a Vet. I hope this helps and I wish you both the best!

Hi there and thanks for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Oh, I am sorry to hear about Oreo- sounds like he is not feeling well at all. It is hard to say exactly what is going on with Oreo without examining him first. If he hasn't moved from one location in a few days, this is very concerning and tells me Oreo may be very ill. There can be many causes for Oreo's symptoms. Drinking a lot of water lately is a sign of diabetes mellitus or kidney disease. If he has only urinated a couple times in the last 3 days, he could have a urinary plug or blockage. In any case, Oreo should be taken to his nearest emergency veterinary clinic ASAP to determine the cause of his illness so he can get better soon. There is really nothing you can at home to help- taking him to a veterinarian is the best thing for him. I hope this helps and best of luck to you and Oreo. I hope he fells better soon.

I would recommend having Oscar examined by a veterinarian right away. Male cats can develop urethral blockages that only allow them to urinate small amounts (or not at all). This can become life-threatening if not treated right away. I am attaching a link to a handout below. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=&A=1111&SourceID= There certainly may be something else going on with Oscar, but a urethral blockage is too serious to wait on, so I would recommend having him seen tonight just to be safe. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Oscar is fine. Thanks for using PetCoach.

I'm sorry to hear Perry isn't feeling well. In a young neutered male cat, I would be worried about a urinary blockage. If he hasn't used the litter box in the last few hours I would get him to the vet ASAP. If he cannot urinate he could die. Of course this is worst case scenario but I would still recommend having a vet see him to find the cause of his pain. Good luck and kisses to Perry!

Hello, and thank you for your question. Cats are notoriously good at hiding their signs of pain and illness. Often the only indication is a decrease in energy and appetite. Possible causes could include pancreatitis, systemic infection, gut parasites, or dental or abdominal pain. If her symptoms are not improving within the next 24 hours, I would recommend taking her to the vet. They can perform a full physical exam, checking for any areas of pain or discomfort, and check for fever and dehydration. They may recommend bloodwork and viral testing to pinpoint a diagnosis. At minimum, they can help rehydrate her if she is dehydrated, and offer medications to improve her appetite and comfort while searching for a diagnosis. In the meantime, offer her some other wet and dry food options in case she has just become picky with her food, and monitor her for any vomiting or diarrhea. I hope this helps, and that Oreo feels better soon!

What you described definitely sounds like a urinary blockage or infection. I recommend bringing Cookie in for an emergency visit for several reasons - first, this condition can be very painful and uncomfortable; second, if Cookie is unable to urinate, the urine will continue to build up in his bladder and can backflow to his kidneys, causing kidney damage and for the toxins that are normally filtered by the kidneys to stay in the body. This can make Cookie very sick and worsen his prognosis for recovery. He will need to be stabilized by a veterinarian. You can also discuss surgery with your vet, as there are several options for male cats who have this recurring condition. I hope this helps and that Cookie feels better soon!