Older Cat urinating everywhere

[adgal]

Hi everyone, I am hoping you can shed some light on this for me.  I adopted a 7 year old cat that had been rather badly abused prior to her being seized by the humane society.  She is an absolute love, however we have experienced a bit of a rocky road.  For the first few weeks she just plain wouldn't eat.  I could not get her out from under our bed.  Finally, in desperation, I dragged her out and took her to the vet.  She wound up on IV, and then for several weeks after I got her back I had to force feed her.  This consisted of liquifying wet food in the blender and using a syringe to get it in her mouth. She started to do a lot better, began bonding with us and now has the sweetest personality you can imagine.  THis was all a year ago.  Very recently she began to urinate everywhere.  Prior to this she was always fine with the litter box (she is indoor only).  It seems to happen mainly  while she is sleeping, although I have caught her in the act while roaming.  I took her to the vet, he said she had a bladder infection and prescribed antibiotics.  I took her back when they were finished, he did another urine sample and said it was gone.  A few weeks later, the "accidents" happened again.  I am taking her in again next week, but I can't figure out what is going on with her.  (she is fixed)  The only thing I can think of is that she is very very attached to me. She follows me everywhere, and typically sleeps by my head.  I am just starting a new job, so I am now gone from the house most days.  (I have been home since we adopted her).  Could this be her way of acting out?  Sorry for the long post, but I thought giving information on her previous "challenges" might help.  I don't want to raise my voice or punish her as she had such a rough life before us, and she is such a timid little thing.  Any insight would be very much appreciated. Thanks again.

[adgal]

Yeah, its been a crazy few months for sure.  And my male fur baby is a real handful as well.  He has rolling skin disease and can be difficult.  We had him on what the vet referred to as "kiity prozac" for a while, but it didn't seem to help much.  

They didn't do bloodwork this time around, but when she was in for the whole starvation issue, they did do bloodwork for kidney issues, amongst other things.  At that time all was fine in that department, and the conclusion was reached she was just highly stressed.  Abusive enviroment, then in a shelter (in a cage) for quite a bit, then into a home with another cat.  It was really tough on her.  I have tried every brand of moist food I can find, and she just won't touch it for anything.  The only way was when she came home from the vet hospital, and I force fed her it for awhile until she started eating on her own.  But she would only eat dry.

The tests for kidneys, etc. was over a year ago, so I will ask about it...good suggestion.  I had never heard of a veterinary behaviourist..thats interesting.  I will look into it.  I think for the time being at night I will keep my male (Regis) out of our bedroom and let her have some quiet snuggle time.  She likes to sleep by my head, but at times Regis will chase her away.  Perhaps some reassurance will help.  I know they say cats don't have long memories, but I often wonder if she worries we will hit her or get rid of her or something.  Just putting her in the cat carrier for a trip to the vet absolutely traumatizes her.  Poor little thing, I can't believe how cruel some people are.

Thanks again, I really appreciate you taking the time to read my "mini novel" posts and answer.  You have good suggestions.

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Wow...dealing with a frustrating kitty and moving!   You definitely have your hands full!!  And its okay to talk about them like your babies...cause they are!!  :-)

Knowing that they looked for crystals in her urine is helpful.   Did they do any bloodwork?  Another concern could be some early kidney problems.  I have rarely seen an older cat with bladder control issues, but a lot of them do develop kidney issues.

It might not be a bad idea to see if you can add some canned food to her diet...it will help keep her well-hydrated.

Finally, if all the medical tests come up negative, you might start considering a veterinary behaviorist.  They can give you some good ideas on litterbox placement with both cats as well as helping you help her adjust to everything that is going on.  A little TLC time with mom each evening may help too.   You probably just need to get her "brother" away during this time!

[adgal]

Thanks so much for the advice.  I do currently have only 1 litterbox as we just relocated to another province, and are renting an apartment until we find a house.  I will try to figure out a spot for at least a second box.  

I do treat the spots she has used, as I have read that they will return to the same spot.  So far that hasn't really happened.  Unfortunately the only food she will eat is Whiskas dry.  I hate to have her on junk food (I mean no offense if others are using that).  My other cat eats food I buy from my vets office, but Tasha won't touch it.  After her ordeal with almost starving herself to death, I am hesitant to try to force the issue.  I would love to hear thoughts on that though, perhaps I should be.

I will mention that when she was treated last time for the infection, they did test her for crystals?? ( not sure if I am saying that right) in her urine.  That was not the case, and the vet told me that would have been much more serious.  

I am starting to think 2 different things....1. She is much older then we thought and is having a bladder control issue, or 2. she is acting out as like most cats, she hates change of any sort, and with the move and me not being home nearly as much, I am wondering if more attention might help?

I know, it sounds like I am talking about small children here, but they are like my babies.

Thanks again for the advice, I will implement as much of it as possible and see if it makes a difference.  Hopefully the vet can also help me get to the root of this.  

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Good morning to you...its nice to hear about people who open their homes and hearts to cats in need of rescue.

First, you are doing the right thing by following up with potential medical reasons for her inappropriate urination.   Since the possible infection has returned, you should consider culturing the urine for identification of any possible bacteria.  That will help you and your veterinarian find the right antibiotic for the job.   Unfortunately, urinary tract infections that are caused by bacteria are rare in cats.   There may be another reason, such as bladder stones.  You might also ask about x-rays to see if your cat has any bladder stones.

What kind of food is she on right now?

How many litter boxes do you have in the household?   If you have two cats, you need at least three litterboxes throughout the house.  If you have less, it could be possible that your male kitty is "scaring" her away from the litterbox with his roughousing or simply keeping her from doing her business.

Finally, make sure you clean up any of her accidents with a good pet stain and odor remover, like Nature's Miracle or The Equalizer.   These will help to insure she doesn't continue to go back to the same spot time after time.

Good luck...let us know what the doctor says after her visit.

Tomcat

[adgal]

Sorry, there is a bit more I should add to my rather lengthy story.  I also have a young (2 1/2 year old) male cat (also fixed) who is extremely energetic. He has rolling skin disease, and can at times be rather aggressive.  I often wonder if his behaviour doesn't sometimes play a roll in what is going on with her.  Thanks again.