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#1
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20 yr old cat suddenly stops using litter box
We have a 20 year old cat, Midnight, who has stopped using the litter
box to urinate. She still uses it to go number two, but not number one. We know that Midnight knows she is doing wrong. If we happen to be looking at her at the time, she will look at us defiantly, hiss, then squat and urinate. We have taken her to the vet. She is in early stages of kidney failure, but otherwise is in good health. She is expected to live for quite some time still, and shows no sign of distress, discomfort, or pain. She refuses to eat dry food. She is fed wet food three times a day. She is underweight, but is starting to gain it back. This is a multi-cat household with multiple litter boxes. All cats have been indoors their entire lives. Personality-wise, she's a little demon. High-strung, she tolerates our 19 1/2 year old cat, Kimba, as she grew up with him. She doesn't like our "kittens" (eight year old brothers Midnight's Shadow and Skitter) whom we raised from feral kittens. We have exhausted our attempts to correct this behaviour. We are looking for your ideas. Please note that at NO TIME will we ever consider "getting rid" of her. If we can not correct this behaviour, we will simply have to keep cleaning it up. But destroying her is not an option. Fortunately, we have a log home, so no carpets to ruin. Lighthope Pearls of Wisdom - Friendly fire isn't. |
#2
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20 yr old cat suddenly stops using litter box
Lighthope wrote in
: We have a 20 year old cat, Midnight, who has stopped using the litter box to urinate. She still uses it to go number two, but not number one. We know that Midnight knows she is doing wrong. If we happen to be looking at her at the time, she will look at us defiantly, hiss, then squat and urinate. We have taken her to the vet. She is in early stages of kidney failure, but otherwise is in good health. She is expected to live for quite some time still, and shows no sign of distress, discomfort, or pain. She refuses to eat dry food. She is fed wet food three times a day. She is underweight, but is starting to gain it back. This is a multi-cat household with multiple litter boxes. All cats have been indoors their entire lives. Personality-wise, she's a little demon. High-strung, she tolerates our 19 1/2 year old cat, Kimba, as she grew up with him. She doesn't like our "kittens" (eight year old brothers Midnight's Shadow and Skitter) whom we raised from feral kittens. We have exhausted our attempts to correct this behaviour. We are looking for your ideas. Please note that at NO TIME will we ever consider "getting rid" of her. If we can not correct this behaviour, we will simply have to keep cleaning it up. But destroying her is not an option. Fortunately, we have a log home, so no carpets to ruin. Lighthope Pearls of Wisdom - Friendly fire isn't. Did the vet suggest Amitriptyline, aka Elavil? If not, ask for it. That's what we gave our old cat for about 5 years for peeing where she shouldn't. It doesn't harm them. It's a mild (human) antidepressant, also used for cats in daily tiny doses. It mellows them and gets rid of whatever it is that's stressing them out. It's very cheap and the vet can give you the prescription which you can have filled at any pharmacy, if you prefer. You'll know the dosage is too high if your cat is too listless. With our cat, it was a 95% improvement right up until she died at 19. We too didn't even consider putting her down, and the only choice was to drug her. It worked. Bobble |
#3
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20 yr old cat suddenly stops using litter box
Bobble,
Did the vet suggest Amitriptyline, aka Elavil? If not, ask for it. That's what we gave our old cat for about 5 years for peeing where she shouldn't. It doesn't harm them. It's a mild (human) antidepressant, also used for cats in daily tiny doses. It mellows them and gets rid of whatever it is that's stressing them out. It's very cheap and the vet can give you the prescription which you can have filled at any pharmacy, if you prefer. You'll know the dosage is too high if your cat is too listless. With our cat, it was a 95% improvement right up until she died at 19. We too didn't even consider putting her down, and the only choice was to drug her. It worked. I have printed out your message and will ask about it. Lighthope Pearls of Wisdom - "It's not enough to be sorry when you've done something wrong. You must correct what you did." - Father Mouse ('Twas the Night Before Christmas) |
#4
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20 yr old cat suddenly stops using litter box
"Lighthope" wrote in message ... We have a 20 year old cat, Midnight, who has stopped using the litter box to urinate. She still uses it to go number two, but not number one. We know that Midnight knows she is doing wrong. If we happen to be looking at her at the time, she will look at us defiantly, hiss, then squat and urinate. We have taken her to the vet. She is in early stages of kidney failure, but otherwise is in good health. She is expected to live for quite some time still, and shows no sign of distress, discomfort, or pain. She refuses to eat dry food. She is fed wet food three times a day. She is underweight, but is starting to gain it back. This is a multi-cat household with multiple litter boxes. All cats have been indoors their entire lives. Personality-wise, she's a little demon. High-strung, she tolerates our 19 1/2 year old cat, Kimba, as she grew up with him. She doesn't like our "kittens" (eight year old brothers Midnight's Shadow and Skitter) whom we raised from feral kittens. We have exhausted our attempts to correct this behaviour. We are looking for your ideas. Please note that at NO TIME will we ever consider "getting rid" of her. If we can not correct this behaviour, we will simply have to keep cleaning it up. But destroying her is not an option. Fortunately, we have a log home, so no carpets to ruin. Lighthope Pearls of Wisdom - Friendly fire isn't. This reminds me of a situation I had with my older tricolor cat Foxy. She and my other cats are strictly indoor cats. My cats have always had excellent vet care. Foxy lived to be 18. For some unknown reason, she liked to pee on my bed...even after I would just put on clean sheets. It was not always like that, just the last 3 or 4 years of her life. It has been a mystery as to why she was acting like that. I never caught her in the act. Her personality never changed...always loving and used to sit on my chest while I would type at the pc. I never considered getting rid of her-it was out of the question...just washed the sheets. I don't have any solutions to offer. I just wanted you to know there are others with the same problem. I hope you get to the bottom of it. Foxy's Mom |
#5
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20 yr old cat suddenly stops using litter box
Hi Lighthope!
I am having similar issues with my 17 year old Maine Coon. He would always use his litter box without exception. Even when I would get forgetful and it got a bit full he always used it. He was diagnoised with renal failure over a year ago and started peeing in the bathroom on the floor but would still use his pan for "poos". It wasnt too terribly bad, i lined the side of the bathroom he used with plastic and newspaper and just made sure to change the papers daily. Then about 3 months ago he started peeing everywhere and anywhere. He even used the kitchen counter and our dinning room table to pee on. I was at my wits end and it seemed like I spent all day every day cloroxing and sanatizing places he went. Bad part is I wasnt able to see where he went at night. I have never considered putting him down. I just couldn't do it. I would rather scrub my life away than have to take my baby to be put to sleep. I finally got the idea from the internet to diaper him. First let me say he is NOT thrilled about this. I used regular baby diapers (they have cat ones but are way too expensive for my budget especially since he pee's alot. I mean ALOT!!) size small. I cut a tail hole in the back and duck tape the edges of the hole to aid against leakage then use a small piece of tape to secure one side shut. Then when I change him I slide his tail in then one leg and then secure around his other leg. He doesn't like the process of being diapered but once he is in them he doesn't seem to mind at all. He still runs through the house (being chased by the kitten) and sleeps comfortably. I check him every 4 hours to see if he needs changed and go from there. Every other day I wash his bottom and let him "air dry" for a few hours then rediaper. It has saved me a TON of cleaning work. The only problem I am having now is he has a slight odor from the urine I assume being on his fur. I wash him throughly with soap and water but it doesnt seem to help much but I continue to wash him so he doesn't develop irritation or infections. I'm not sure if you are having a hard time with odor control but I found a product I would never do without. It's called "Anti Icky Poo" it has enzymes in it that kill the bacteria in the urine that causes the odor. You just pour the icky poo on the smelly spots and allow to air dry. For tougher smells the company reccomends you cover the spot with the icky poo then a plastic bag to keep it wet for longer amounts of time. As long as it is wet its continuing to break down the odor causing bacteria. It really does work. It might take a bit to get it broke down but eventually the smell disappears. Hope this helps some! |
#6
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20 yr old cat suddenly stops using litter box
I'm not sure if you are having a hard time with odor control but I
found a product I would never do without. It's called "Anti Icky Poo" it has enzymes in it that kill the bacteria in the urine that causes the odor. Resolve actually does an amazing job at getting rid of the smell. And you just pick it up at the local store. Lighthope Pearls of Wisdom - "Anyone who wants power should immediately relinquish it." - The Doctor (Doctor Who: Profit of Doom) |
#7
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Have you tried giving your cat 'Tripsy'? Its supposed to be a herbal supplement of sorts that contains herbal extracts that promote healthy kidney function and fights infection & reduces discomfort. It also helps your cat release urine & acts as an anti-inflammatory. It is also ok for aging cats too.
My cats have not had any kidney problems so I do not have any personal experience with this supplement. But a friend of mine did and she swears by Tripsy. She bought it online at Petwellbeing.com. Good Luck with your kitty. Quote:
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