How long can a cat survive without treatment?

Heather: How long can a cat survive without treatment?
A cat that belongs to someone I know is exhibiting all the signs of a urinary tract infection (blood in urine, straining to go, going outside the box, etc.) and obviously needs to be seen by a vet. However, the cat’s owner doesn’t have the time or the money to take the cat to the vet immediately. They are planning on doing it “some time” next week.

1. How long can a cat go without treatment?
2. Should I just take the cat to the vet myself and pay for treatment?
It is a male cat, 4 years old, and he’s been experiencing the symptoms for almost 3 days.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Rapid Fire
By next week the cats kidneys and liver will have shut down and the cat may be dead. Toxins are now building up in the cats body and there is only so much the internal organs can do about it until they start a cascade failure. At that point the cat becomes non-salvageable and usually dies a very painful death or has to be put down.
You can take the cat to a vet yourself, but be aware that treatment is very expensive.

Answer by kunzy D
AS LONG AS THEY ARE KEPT AWAY FORM THE GRIM REAPER

Answer by Shawn B
First is the cat male or female? Male cats can get the tube from the bladder to the outside blocked very easily, which does not allow for urine to pass through. This then causes the cat to get sick. Females have a large tube and do not get blocked as easily.

If we do not take the abiility for the male cat to block, cats can live with an urinary issue for a long time, the only thing is they will not be very comfortable. Being uncomfortable when passing urine in the litterbox may lead to the cat not wanting to use the litterbox. As long as the cat is able to urinate, having a bladder issue is not something that needs to be seen immediately. Although for the cats comfort level, you would want it seen sooner rather than later.

Answer by Tiffany
From the experience I’ve seen with my friend’s cat, someone should take her to the doctor asap. The same thing happened to my friend Trista’s cat, who refused to pay the bill for a vet and didn’t take her. I heard she was sick one week with the same symptoms, and the next time I came over, I saw no sick cat. I asked her where her sick cat went and she said she found her not breathing/dead, so she buried it. I was so mad at her I couldn’t even talk to her. From the symptoms I’m hearing from this poor cat, are the same symptoms I heard from the other cat. She did say her cat would have to go so bad but she couldn’t even get up to walk to the litter box because of the pain, she would just sit there and pee where she laid. Also that her pee had more blood in it than yellowish urine. In addition, she wouldn’t eat, she kept meowing constantly, and every time she went to pick her cat up she would kind of “play dead”, like go limp completely.

I really hope and pray that someone gets her treatment soon. I’m not sure how bad she has it now but from what I’ve seen, it gets so much worse for the cat and the owner.

I wish you, the owner, and that poor kitty the best of luck and plenty of love.

Tiff.

Answer by crossbubbly
Call Animal Control or something. That must be pretty painful and someone who can’t/won’t take an animal to a vet shouldn’t have one. If they don’t urinate, toxins build up and kill them. It would probably be pretty soon.

Answer by Ericka H
My cat had kidney failure and had those signs however he also had feleuk…But, for a UTI a cat can survive a while I volunteer at a cat rescue and it is really common for cats to get uti’s, even after recently being treated for one. Sounds like once it is treated they should put him on a diet for uti prevention, which can purchased at wal mart or a pet store. In my opinion as long as he is eating and drinking and not feverish, which can be determined with a rectal thermometer..fever in felines is above 102… he will be fine to next week, give him plenty of fluids…and I strongly doubt he will have organ failure this soon…our vet at the no kill shelter says some of the cats that have been brought in there have had them for months..which was evidenced by blood in their urine and no permanent damage was done..Just be sure he goes within the next week..It’s nice of you to want to take him though…

Answer by Ashley
take him your self he will die if you dont

Answer by Maureen
GET THE CAT TO THE VETS, THINK ABOUT THE PAYMENT LATER… GET REAL IF YOU CARE….

Answer by Alrischa
It would be really big of you to take the poor cat to the vet. He obviously is in serious need of medical treatment (which would mean you have to pay for treatment).

I’m really tempted to say that you should be in turn compensated by your friend. You will be doing the right thing by taking the cat to see the vet, but ultimately it is your friend’s responsibility. This suggestion might be a little far-fetched but I’m wondering on what grounds can you get them charged for “animal neglect” (I mean we’re talking about a life at stake here!). Perhaps you can inquire from the ASPCA.

It just peeves me that people aren’t assuming responsibility for their pets. They ought to be sued!