Possible Resolution - was "Incorrigible Peeing Problem -ideas?"

in article , Cat Owner at
wrote on 11/10/03 8:54 PM:

I just wanted to post a progress report on our cat Sheba. I hope this
information helps someone else.

I wound up taking this kitty to a vet that our primary caregiver
referred me to when one of our other cats had a problem last winter,
in order to get a second opinion. Our main vet is a "country doc" who
relies more on palpitating the animal than on formal tests and he had
been insisting that the urination outside the box was behavorial and
territorial. Feliway did no good, which lead me to suspect an
"organic" problem.

The "second opinion" vet tested Sheba's urine and found evidence of
high PH levels and some bladder inflamation. We got several
prescriptions - Science Diet C/D formula, "Cosequin" (a sprinkle
powder that is supposed to reduce inflammation), and an antidepressant
(for behavior).

We did have two accidents in the month since we started that program,
but one accident was when the kitty was left by herself when we were
out of town, and in both cases we're unsure whether she was getting
the full dose of the medications. Both accidents were awhile ago.

Today I took Sheba back for a follow up visit and we were pleased to
find that there is no inflammation evident in her urine sample, and
the PH balance is more normal.

So, the bottom line I see in this is: be persistent if you're running
into atypical behavior, and consider getting a second opinion if
you're not seeing results. I don't like to switch caregivers, so I
needed a strong reason to do this. While the wetting problem was
inconvenient (OK, a PITA), I was even more concerned that she was in
discomfort or pain, or that the problem was a symptom of something
worse. In this instance, bladder inflammation can lead to some really
nasty problems if left unattended.

Thanks for the encouragement from this list to get this problem looked
at!

What great news!!

in article , Cat Owner at
wrote on 11/10/03 8:54 PM:

I just wanted to post a progress report on our cat Sheba. I hope this
information helps someone else.

I wound up taking this kitty to a vet that our primary caregiver
referred me to when one of our other cats had a problem last winter,
in order to get a second opinion. Our main vet is a "country doc" who
relies more on palpitating the animal than on formal tests and he had
been insisting that the urination outside the box was behavorial and
territorial. Feliway did no good, which lead me to suspect an
"organic" problem.

The "second opinion" vet tested Sheba's urine and found evidence of
high PH levels and some bladder inflamation. We got several
prescriptions - Science Diet C/D formula, "Cosequin" (a sprinkle
powder that is supposed to reduce inflammation), and an antidepressant
(for behavior).

We did have two accidents in the month since we started that program,
but one accident was when the kitty was left by herself when we were
out of town, and in both cases we're unsure whether she was getting
the full dose of the medications. Both accidents were awhile ago.

Today I took Sheba back for a follow up visit and we were pleased to
find that there is no inflammation evident in her urine sample, and
the PH balance is more normal.

So, the bottom line I see in this is: be persistent if you're running
into atypical behavior, and consider getting a second opinion if
you're not seeing results. I don't like to switch caregivers, so I
needed a strong reason to do this. While the wetting problem was
inconvenient (OK, a PITA), I was even more concerned that she was in
discomfort or pain, or that the problem was a symptom of something
worse. In this instance, bladder inflammation can lead to some really
nasty problems if left unattended.

Thanks for the encouragement from this list to get this problem looked
at!

What great news!!

in article , Cat Owner at
wrote on 11/10/03 8:54 PM:

I just wanted to post a progress report on our cat Sheba. I hope this
information helps someone else.

I wound up taking this kitty to a vet that our primary caregiver
referred me to when one of our other cats had a problem last winter,
in order to get a second opinion. Our main vet is a "country doc" who
relies more on palpitating the animal than on formal tests and he had
been insisting that the urination outside the box was behavorial and
territorial. Feliway did no good, which lead me to suspect an
"organic" problem.

The "second opinion" vet tested Sheba's urine and found evidence of
high PH levels and some bladder inflamation. We got several
prescriptions - Science Diet C/D formula, "Cosequin" (a sprinkle
powder that is supposed to reduce inflammation), and an antidepressant
(for behavior).

We did have two accidents in the month since we started that program,
but one accident was when the kitty was left by herself when we were
out of town, and in both cases we're unsure whether she was getting
the full dose of the medications. Both accidents were awhile ago.

Today I took Sheba back for a follow up visit and we were pleased to
find that there is no inflammation evident in her urine sample, and
the PH balance is more normal.

So, the bottom line I see in this is: be persistent if you're running
into atypical behavior, and consider getting a second opinion if
you're not seeing results. I don't like to switch caregivers, so I
needed a strong reason to do this. While the wetting problem was
inconvenient (OK, a PITA), I was even more concerned that she was in
discomfort or pain, or that the problem was a symptom of something
worse. In this instance, bladder inflammation can lead to some really
nasty problems if left unattended.

Thanks for the encouragement from this list to get this problem looked
at!

What great news!!

I'd like to know your take on this:

I adopted a dsh (spayed) female who's 6 lbs/5 years old. She was taken from her
home and put in a (cage) shelter for a month. She peed in the litter box (in
her cage, in my bedroom the first day only) She didn't keep food down for the
first 3 days (and the shelter rep swears she didn't get lose her lunch at the
shelter) so I took her to the vet. X-rays showed all was well. She kept food
down there. She had a dental extraction while at the vet. I brought her home on
Saturday. She peed on my blankets Sunday night and Monday day and also **** in
my quilt. My resident cat - 4 year old, dsh (neutered) 10+ lb male was
introduced to her as soon as she arrived. She was caged and he had access. They
sniffed throught the bars and all seemed well. Day 2 progressed Ok, except for
a couple of hisses (started by her). That night he pinned her a couple of
times. So...I now don't have them interact at all. Question...shall I cage
her until I'm sure she won't start peeing on the bed again? How can I be sure
she will sh*t in the box? When shall I start having the 2 cats together? I've
had 2 cat combos several times before but never had a major problem 'til now.
Help!!!

I'd like to know your take on this:

I adopted a dsh (spayed) female who's 6 lbs/5 years old. She was taken from her
home and put in a (cage) shelter for a month. She peed in the litter box (in
her cage, in my bedroom the first day only) She didn't keep food down for the
first 3 days (and the shelter rep swears she didn't get lose her lunch at the
shelter) so I took her to the vet. X-rays showed all was well. She kept food
down there. She had a dental extraction while at the vet. I brought her home on
Saturday. She peed on my blankets Sunday night and Monday day and also **** in
my quilt. My resident cat - 4 year old, dsh (neutered) 10+ lb male was
introduced to her as soon as she arrived. She was caged and he had access. They
sniffed throught the bars and all seemed well. Day 2 progressed Ok, except for
a couple of hisses (started by her). That night he pinned her a couple of
times. So...I now don't have them interact at all. Question...shall I cage
her until I'm sure she won't start peeing on the bed again? How can I be sure
she will sh*t in the box? When shall I start having the 2 cats together? I've
had 2 cat combos several times before but never had a major problem 'til now.
Help!!!

I'd like to know your take on this:

I adopted a dsh (spayed) female who's 6 lbs/5 years old. She was taken from her
home and put in a (cage) shelter for a month. She peed in the litter box (in
her cage, in my bedroom the first day only) She didn't keep food down for the
first 3 days (and the shelter rep swears she didn't get lose her lunch at the
shelter) so I took her to the vet. X-rays showed all was well. She kept food
down there. She had a dental extraction while at the vet. I brought her home on
Saturday. She peed on my blankets Sunday night and Monday day and also **** in
my quilt. My resident cat - 4 year old, dsh (neutered) 10+ lb male was
introduced to her as soon as she arrived. She was caged and he had access. They
sniffed throught the bars and all seemed well. Day 2 progressed Ok, except for
a couple of hisses (started by her). That night he pinned her a couple of
times. So...I now don't have them interact at all. Question...shall I cage
her until I'm sure she won't start peeing on the bed again? How can I be sure
she will sh*t in the box? When shall I start having the 2 cats together? I've
had 2 cat combos several times before but never had a major problem 'til now.
Help!!!