First, how urgent is this?
Go now
- No urine at all, or repeated trips to the litter box with only drops.
- Very restless, a fast heart rate, a high body temperature.
- Sudden collapse, unable to stand, or a seizure.
- Vomiting straight after drinking, unable to keep water down.
Contact your vet today
- Drinking clearly more than usual for several days, with bigger or more litter clumps.
- Weight down 5% or more within two weeks at the same time.
- In cats over 10, chronic kidney disease affects up to 40%.
- Eating well but losing weight, and grumpier.
- Sweet-smelling urine, a tacky litter box edge, or ants gathering at the box.
Record and observe
- Drinking more in hot weather, after a switch to wet food or with a new fountain, with urine rising to match and normal energy.
- Already under vet care: record daily water intake and urine output, and bring it to the next visit.
Before you set off
- Daily water intake, measured with a marked bowl or the fountain top-up.
- How many litter clumps, how big, and the state of the box over a day.
- Weight and appetite.
- Any vomiting, diarrhoea or change in appetite.
- A list of medicines, especially steroids or diuretics.
- Do not restrict water, and do not give human supplements or diuretic drinks.
What your vet may ask and do
- Ask: when drinking rose, and by how much.
- Ask: any change in urine, appetite or weight.
- Do: blood tests (kidney values, glucose, thyroid, electrolytes).
- Do: a urine test, including concentration and glucose.
- Do: ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder and thyroid.
- Do: blood pressure.
- Do: diet, water management and medication once the cause is confirmed.
Where to go in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong 24-hour vet list
- 24-hour emergency, Hong Kong Island
- 24-hour emergency, Kowloon
- 24-hour emergency, New Territories
- Clinics with ultrasound
- Clinics with inpatient care
- What emergency and test fees look like
Call the clinic before you drive over, to confirm tonight's arrangements and the location.