feline thyroid w/ treatment but behavior problems

[IMstacie]

My big 12 year old has hyperthyroidism and takes medication w/special food for close to a year now.  He is developing some behavior problems.  He licks almost everything, especially plastic which drives me crazy.  Also, he is defecating outside the litter box. Sometimes close to his eating area.  Luckily I feed them in the garage on one side and the three litter boxes are on the opposite end.  They have a kitty door from the kitchen to the garage.

Now I have to say, he has always been a nervous cat - actually father was feral.  I call him my next generation feral.  I have 4 cats with the 4th one being a kitten about 7 months old now.  All cats get along wonderfully.

Any suggestions?  Do you think he may need a supplement?

[IMstacie]

thanks

[Piparskeggr]

One of the best we've used is an "As Seen On TV" product called Urine Gone.

Another good one is Petzyme.

[IMstacie]

I forgot to mention, he also seems to crave salt - loves potato chips.  I'm thinking it has something to do with his hyperthyroidism?

[IMstacie]

thanks for the response, can you name a few brands of  enzymatic cleaners.  Luckily he goes in the garage so cleaning is easy but in the event it does happen in the house it may be a good idea to have some on hand.

I've had a few seniors in my lifetime.  One got so bad he would walk into the walls and cry out of confusion.  He was 17 years and my baby and still was comforted when I picked him up.  It was so sad to have to put him down.

[IMstacie]

getting back....finally to this post.  He has no deafness.  Don't know much about his father as he was feral and in the wind so I'm told.  But his mother of whom I also took from the pound and found her a home, had one blue eye and one green, a talker, pure white and not deaf.  Litter boxes have a low front but you may be right about him being an arthritic senior.  I'm starting to notice he does not jump much on anything more than a couch seat.

Thanks for all the good info.

[Piparskeggr]

Miss Teia will be 16 in December and is at the high end of normal for Thyroid enzymes according to her blood work this week.  Not yet hyperthyroid, but close.

Last year, when we were still living in the 1-bedroom apartment with her, Hildiekatt and Chesapeake; Teia would pee in inappropriate spots.  I hit on the idea of puppy pads, which she uses 6 to 1 over the litter box for pee (still poops in the litter).

Use a good enzymatic cleaner on the inappropriate spots and put a very low pan lined with puppy pads near the litter boxes.  This may attract him to a manageable spot.

I truly sympathize with your 12 year old kitty being a senior.  All three of our girls we've lost in the past 2 years were a little over 12 (Kestrel and Hildiekatt to intestinal lymphoma and Chesapeake to congestive heart failure).

Good luck and keep loving on him.  Patient, persistent kindness is what we used to rehab Miss Teia.

[CML2014]

Hi Stacie,

OMG!! He is just gorgeous. Tell me, any deafness with the all white cat??

Anyway he is now a fine OLD Gent, still handsome but a little bit more of a challenge to manage.

First, 12 years is just right for the onset of Hyperthyroidism.If a cat lives long enough It will probably get this. It I the most common hormone disorder in cats. So Mr. Gorgeous is no longer walking on the Wild side, rather the Mild side of life. He will live out his days as  a distinguished gentleman  with plenty of love.

As cats reach that geriatric phase they begin to need additional supplement's to replace lost nutrients due to the aging process. Speak to your vet and make sure he gets some vitamin suppliments, and be sure you are feeding wet food specially formulated for Senior cats. This should help with the Pica (eating non food items)

Now  the Inappropriate Litter habits are also due to age. If you have already discussed this with your vet and their is nothing medically wrong with him then it is probably one on 3 things
.
1. He may not be movin and groovin so fast so he gets to the bathroom a LITTLE late--OOOP"S

2. He is not able to get into the litter box--especially if it has high sides. Now they might not seem high to you, but your not an arthritic senior.
Sometimes we need to adjust things for our kits because they just cannot jump over , up and into things the way they once could.  See about getting one of those plastic storage containers that have a very low edge.

3. .....and lastly look out for a lot of strange new habits--his "senior Moments" are becoming more than just "Moment's"

We are all going to get there (we can only hope) so be patient.LOL!

Let's say your home is now a Senior center--make his life as comfortable as you would want yourself to be treated. Warm (heating pad) beds, Brushing and grooming him with a soft brush, because he sure isn't as flexible as he once was---but still wants to look good for the "Ladies".

Since he has lost weight he needs extra padding for comfort on his bones

Best to talk this over with your vet--you both know him best.

Good luck ,
CML