Out of character behavior

Question
Hi there,

My cat Pandora is a 7.5 month old Ragdoll/Am. Shorthair mix.  She is an only cat and is quite spoiled.

Three nights ago she began to vocalize very excessively.  Up until that night she always camped out on my bed and purred, until I fell asleep and then she'd move to her cat perch.  She'd occasionally practice the "kitty Olympics" during the night, racing back and forth through the house and using my bed as a gymnast horse.  :-)

But on that night she sat outside of the bathroom (where her litter box is located) and cried on and off for 2 or 3 hours, alternating between little chirrups and more insistent yeeeooowwwls.  I thought she must have been having her first heat cycle, but she exhibits no other signs of that.

As of yesterday she has only eaten 2 tablespoons of her kibble (Royal Canin Kitten) which is very out of character for her.  She is drinking normally but has only urinated once since Tuesday afternoon, also very strange for her.  There was a small tinge of bright red blood in her stool this evening and her appetite is none the better.  She has a lot of energy and does play enthusiastically but does not want to be pet or picked up at all - another very strange symptom.

My question specifically - My vet (whom I love dearly) will be back in town on Friday.  Do you think it is ok to wait until then to take her in, or would it be better to take her in tomorrow to another vet?  Could this be a UTI?

Answer
Hi Stephanie,

This does sound like it could be a UTI and I would get her in as soon as possible simply because that can be very painful.  Its easy enough to clear up with some antibiotics.  The only thing that would concern me is the blood in her stool.  Try to take a fresh stool sample with you so the vet can see if there's something going on there as well.