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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / June 2006Older cat defecating by where she eats
We feed our cats (3 - adult mail, young adult female, 19+year old female, all spayed/neutered) on a window box in the kitchen. Over the last several weeks our oldest cat has been defecating at the base of the window box, mostly in the same spot (we have 3 boxes, scooped once - twice a day). She's recently started urinating there as well. It started out happening only in the morning, but lately both the time and location (including yesterday on a pillow she sleeps on besides the couch) have changed. I've been wondering if the problem may be the other 2 cats, who have been aggressive towards her lately. I cannot tell if she is using the box at all, but I think she is. Any ideas on why she's doing this, if it could just be her age, etc., and possible ways to get her to stop, would be welcome. TIA, Mike Mike Take her to the vet. She is trying to tell you she is sick - 19 is old for a cat. She is probably in kidney failure. Take her to the vet asap. There is nothing else that you can do but get her diagnosed and medicated. The other cats know she is sick and that is why they are aggressive to her - survival of the pack. > We feed our cats (3 - adult mail, young adult female, 19+year old female, > all spayed/neutered) on a window box in the kitchen. Over the last several [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > TIA, > Mike Yes, she needs to see a vet. There is something medically wrong. Gail > Mike > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] >> TIA, >> Mike Mike How's it going? Did you take her to the vet????????????? > We feed our cats (3 - adult mail, young adult female, 19+year old female, > all spayed/neutered) on a window box in the kitchen. Over the last several [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > TIA, > Mike Sorry about the delay in replying. We took her to the vet this morning; I hadn't had a chance to check this group over the weekend and, given that her health *otherwise* is excellent, we hadn't considered she might have a health problem. The vet saw no outward signs of a problem - no 'red flags' - and ran several blood tests. One of the tests that came back already suggests the problem might be hyper (or hypo - will ask him tomorrow) thyrodism. I'll post more in the next few days once I find out more. Thanks! Mike > Mike > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] >> TIA, >> Mike > Sorry about the delay in replying. We took her to the vet this morning; I > hadn't had a chance to check this group over the weekend and, given that her [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > I'll post more in the next few days once I find out more. Thanks! Mike, this is great, given her age, and I think is it a good thing you took her in anyway, at her age. At 19 she is a Grand Dame, worthy of special treatment, that is really old for a cat. It could be that you will find that you can make some changes around the house to cut down on the other cats harassing her and the behavior will stop. I have a cat that definitely uses elimination to express her displeasure *shaking my head* so they DO do it. But a vet visit is always in order first because inappropriate elimination is such a classic sign of a health problem. Changes around the house that I was thinking of might include an extra box near a favorite place of hers, cat trees or cat window seats in places that might encourage the others to hang out away from where she likes to, so there is less contact and hopefully less aggression. I think I might even consider putting her in a room of her own for part of the day, say, when you are out or working, or overnight, so she gets some peace. It is so unusual to hear of a cat doing this near her food, I think she might be trying to tell you something. The vet says it is hyperthyrodism - though he wasn't sure this was the reason for her going outside the box. I'd thought about adding an additional box (we've got 3, and I'm pretty meticulous about cleaning them), but do not really want to put a box in the kitchen. She gets plenty of attention - especially as she's a Princess (Princess Pandora, or Dora for short). Hopefully the medicine will help *crossing fingers*. Mike >> Sorry about the delay in replying. We took her to the vet this morning; >> I [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > Inviato da X-Privat.Org - Registrazione gratuita > http://www.x-privat.org/join.php > The vet says it is hyperthyrodism - though he wasn't sure this was the > reason for her going outside the box. I'd thought about adding an [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > > Inviato da X-Privat.Org - Registrazione gratuita > > http://www.x-privat.org/join.php My cat has similar symptoms and is 18yars old. His legs have become unstabble, he's constantly drinking water, has stopped eating, and is very lethargic. He however doesn't seem to be in pain. I was wondering, how much is the medication and how much did they charge for all of the tests and office visit? My husband and I don't have much and I'm afraid we won't be able to afford it. It's breaking my heart. Thanks! > The vet says it is hyperthyrodism - though he wasn't sure this was the > reason for her going outside the box. I'd thought about adding an [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > > Inviato da X-Privat.Org - Registrazione gratuita > > http://www.x-privat.org/join.php > My cat has similar symptoms and is 18yars old. His legs have become > unstabble, he's constantly drinking water, has stopped eating, and is [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > and I'm afraid we won't be able to afford it. It's breaking my heart. > Thanks! Rachel. What would you do if it were a child? Take care of your cat. Find the money. |
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