Why is my diabetic cat having trouble peeing and being so cranky?

Hi there. It's possible that Plaxico may have a urinary tract infection, as this is a common problem in diabetic cats and also a common cause of peeing in in appropriate places. It's also possible that his diabetes is simply not as well-regulated as we would like, which can result in drinking and urinating more than normal and can also sometimes cause cats to have accidents. I would recommend taking Plaxico to the vet for a check-up. He will likely need a urinalysis and blood work to check for infection and see if his diabetes is appropriately regulated on his current dose of insulin. If a problem is found, treating it may help to resolve the behavior of peeing on the couch.

It is quite possible she has developed a fever, most likely from an underlying infection such as a urinary tract infection which are very common in diabetics. I recommend a full health check as soon as possible; taking a fresh urine sample with you wold be very helpful

Your vet might be worried about a urinary tract infection and may want to get a sterile sample to send out for a culture through a procedure called a cystocentesis. In this procedure a very small needle is advanced into the bladder, sometimes using ultrasound guidance. It is a very common procedure in veterinary medicine. Diabetic animals often have 'quiet' urinary tract infections that are not obvious on a typical urinalysis and a urine culture to look for bacteria is often more helpful. A urine culture also helps determine what antibiotic the bacteria are susceptible to. Performing a culture on a 'free catch' sample that you would bring in might not be helpful since contaminant bacteria from the lower urinary tract can be in the sample.

You should take Kizzie back to a veterinarian for a proper thorough exam, with a urinalysis and blood work. Diabetes does not often have obvious signs, nor does kidney disease. Both of those can be ruled out with blood tests and urinalysis. Most cats with a UTI do not need antibiotics as most times it is stress induced. All the more it is important to verify that bacteria are involved before prescribing antibiotics. You may want to get a second opinion from another veterinarian.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is concerning as it may be an indication that his diabetes is not well-controlled at the moment. I would highly recommend that you check in with a veterinarian as soon as possible to check for this possibility. If this is the case, they can work in getting him to feel better and then possibly focusing in controlling his diabetes better. Best of luck!

Urine with an unusual "sticky" feeling is a common sign of diabetes, due to increased levels of glucose in the urine - this is a common problem in older cats. Other things that could cause an increased amount of urine in the litterbox along with an abnormal appearance would include chronic kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism. I would recommend taking CC to the vet for an exam as soon as you are able to - he/she can do blood work and urine testing to help diagnose the problem and get her started on appropriate treatment.

Blood in the urine would not be caused by his insulin, so don't worry :) It's likely that he has a UTI, as these are extremely common in diabetic cats. If he's acting normal otherwise, I wouldn't consider this an emergency - but I would definitely recommend calling Meatball's regular vet in the morning or taking him in for an exam. You should continue on his regular insulin dosing schedule as directed by your veterinarian unless he/she instructs you differently.