Older cat urinary problem?

Question

I found this cat homeless 6 years ago.  I estimate her age today at approximately 10 yrs. of age. This problem I just noticed today when I got home and was going to change the littler box.  She ( Heidi ) , was using the box, so I did other chores and came back later. I cleaned out the box, put it down in it's spot, left the top off and left the room to go and get some fresh litter to add to it. When I returned, she was back in the box. I waited, holding the litter. After 2 minutes, I finally put the litter down and left the room. I returned approx. 3 minutes later and she was STILL in the box. I stood there another minute and she got out. She was trying to urinate. In the freshly cleaned litter box was a wet spot have the size of a dime. 
Although this was a homeless cat -- that never saw any shots, worming, etc.---- since Heidi has been with me, she has had all the worming and shots required. 
I need REAL helpful answers to my Tuxedo Cat - Heidi's problem. I know what the truth is and that urinary/kidney problems plague domestic cats. I Will be taking her to the Vet. I know what he's going to say, also.  I was just wanting to know --- over the weekend, is there anything I can give her to eat/drink that may help? I would imagine she is in pain. Anyone who has had a kidney infection knows it hurts when trying to use restroom. I just REALLY want to help her. And maybe someone out there can help me help Heidi.

The one thing that sucks about Answers is: I can't come back and thank EVERYONE who gave me some of there time and answered my question....So, I will do that now. 
Thank You To Everyone who cares about my problem and wants to help Heidi. Here's some help for you to picture in your head:
She rules the house. She rules a 7 yr. old male Doberman, a 1.5 yr. old male German Shepherd and, of course, the 1 yr. old female solid black cat. Heidi is boss. And respected and licked on by both dogs.

Jackie · Accepted Answer

She may just have a urinary tract infection, which would be much simpler to treat.  Usually a round of antibiotics will clear it up pretty quickly.  The vet will probably start you out with that and if the antibiotics don't clear it up.. they'll move on to x-rays and bloodwork to see how her organs are doing.  Like you said, it could be something more serious like kidney disease.  Even if she does have kidney disease, it's not always a death sentence.  They will probably prescribe her a special food to help with the symptoms.  As for keeping her comfortable until you can get her into the vet, make sure she's drinking as much water as possible.  And unlike the previous responder said, you DO want to feed her canned food.  The wet food has a lot more liquid in it than dry cat food and it will make it easier to digest.  Her urine will be less concentrated and easier to pass the more liquids she takes in.  Another thing the previous responder said was wrong--urinary problems cannot be passed from cat to cat.  If you do have another cat and they use the same litterbox, the other cat will NOT get any kind of urinary problems from the sick cat.  That is something that is caused within their own body.  Good luck with you cat.  Definitely get her in to the vet as soon as possible.. and make sure she's getting lots of fluids until then!

susan n · Answer

Your cat may have an infection or she could have crystals causing partial blockage .A blockage can quickly kill. Please believe me, I have seen it happen and its heart-breaking.
  The sooner you get your cat in the better no matter what time it is there. I am talking minutes and hours not days!
  Call your vet. If it is after hours they will have a back-up to call. Do this now. Don't even continue reading.
  
  The vet may prescribe an awful Science Diet product. Please ask your vet the exact reasons this is being prescibed and write them down for when you do your own research - which I strongly recommend.
   You can start your research here:
  http://www.knowbetterpetfood.com/feline_lower_urinary_tract_disease
 
   After that google: Lisa Pierson DVD cat urinary tract

   Get as much fluid into the cat as possible. Feed canned, and mix a little water into it. No dry food.

   If you think she is in pain do not under any cicumstances give her human pain killers.

Ken S · Answer

Your question leaves a lot of gaps. There are many different things this can be. Is she dehydrated? peeing excessively or straining to pee before letting it out?
 kidney infection isn't common with cats. Kidney disease is. it can be treated and the biggest cause and the main thing is food. People feed dry food aka Kitty crack which causes worlds of problems. The system needs water and a cat cannot possibly drink enough to make up for dry food
 Lets get the blood test and find out what is going on first. Post when you know. Do not take the vets treatment plans as written in stone and do your research when you find out

Unicornrider · Answer

Your answer lies in that she is straining to urinate and not getting it right. She most likely has a urinary infection, crystals, or worst case, a blockage - please take her to the vet immediately since a blockage can be fatal within 24 hours and leads to death. Please do not delay until next week. Find another vet or seek out a Emergency vet, yes, it really is that serious.
No more dry food for her, and choose food with the lowest magnesium you can get. Lots of water (I would add some to her wet food, just a bit, every time)

~ Ternie ~ ツ · Answer

In the meantime, no dry food, no milk, and lots of water.  This will help clean out the urinary tract until you can get her to the vet. [FYI:  Feeding dry food to a female cat with a possible UTI can give it kidney stones, as can too much milk.]  - Yeah, I typo'd that earlier.  Meant to say YES canned food, NO dry for the meantime.

Also, if you don't have 2 litter boxes, I'd suggest getting a second and keeping your two kitties separate for the meantime, as that can spread.

Good luck for you and your kitty!  She sounds sweet.  :)

Blue Diamond · Answer

She really needs to go to the vet immediately. Emergency if necessary. Urinary problems can be deadly, and even a number of  hours can make a difference.

canyonchase1 · Answer

I'm 14 and my cat has a urinary infection. take it to the doctor. my cat was a male and he would bleed out of his penis. so we took it to the doctor and they helped him. he lived

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Older cat urinary problem?

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