Is my cat depressed or in pain?

[pigthyroid]

My cat has been dribbling urine for a few months. During these episodes he is very sleepy and spaced out. They'd only last for maybe 4 days at most. About a 1 1/2 weeks ago I noticed it started again and it has been coming on more frequently so I took him to the vet 1/10/11.  Heart, blood and Xray all came back normal. Some blood and cloudiness in urine. The vet mentioned FLUTD and I could see a specialist if I wanted. Cultures weren't done. I thought he'd be over it by now and he is still listless and this morning he had trouble getting up the last two stairs from the basement. It is like he is dead inside..he lost his spark. I can't think of any major stress going on, or not any more than usual in the last 12 years of his life. I'm baffled if this is mental or physical? His episodes are more frequent and lasting longer.  I feel like he is dying but what other test could be run at this point? He has quit eating since his visit to the vet and hides a lot which he has never done.  The vet trip was very stressful but they put him out thank goodness. He still drinks water.

[pigthyroid]

It just seems an odd coincidence that when he came back from the vet he quit eating and starting hiding.  I was relating this behavior to the stressful time at the vets. So you think there is nothing that could be mental about all of this?  
I'm wondering why the vet did not mention these meds that you have listed for FLUTD. I will check back with her tomorrow.
Thank you

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

If your cat has not eaten in a week he is at risk for fatty liver disease, which can be deadly all by itself and this requires a visit back at the vets.  The vet can place him on appetite stimulant medications, force feed him and give IV Fluid therapy.

If his urine looks bloody and cloudy now he should also be treated for interstitial nephritis/FLUTD.  When you took him to the vet the first time he could have been developing the problem but it was below the detection spectrum.

The treatment for FLUTD is very involved including antibiotics such as zithromax, amitriptyline medication which is a tricyclic antidepressant, Cosequin for cats, which is a glucosamine supplement that also helps with the lining of the bladder, cranberry supplementation, all canned diet (no dry food), Eight Rightous teapills (Chinese herbal supplement), Fluid therapy,  if crystals are found in the urine than a special diet is necessary to eliminate the crystals and much more.

Please take him to the vet specialist.