Now at rainbow bridge: 17-year-old, half-Persian weeing on owner/in house

[west0405]

 

[Stuart]

 

Poor Figaro
RIP little one

[pappilon]

RIP sweetheart.

[Janeyk]

  That's very sad

RIP Figaro xx

[JackSpratt]

I'm so sorry. RIP Figaro.

[bunglycat]

Poor baby

[cazzer]

poor Figaro 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

RIP Figaro, play hard on the Bridge

[Jasmine]

Well, Figaro did take to her litter tray in the end, but sadly it was discovered she had multiple health problems - including a massive tumour in her tummy. 

She was pts earlier today, and now joins her sister, Sasha, at the Bridge.

They were both lovely, affectionate cats who comforted my sister-in-law through many a rough time, and even myself, when I stayed on the odd occasion after 'boyfriend troubles'.

God Bless sweethearts.
XX

(This post can now be moved to the appropriate section - thank you.)

[Jasmine]

No luck on the litter tray front yet.
(I get the impression the cat is still having access to the garden too via a cat flap in the kitchen though.)

[Jasmine]

I would try and encourage your SIL to get blood test done.  The sooner any problems are picked up and treated the better.  A simple change in diet/medication may solve/reduce problem.

I agree Lotzy and have explained this; it's so frustrating.

[Jasmine]

Get the blood test done she could be diabetic they drink and wee a lot!

I know Liz, I have a diabetic boy and did mention it (he has 'litter tray issues' as well sometimes...).
I tried to talk them into having the blood tests, but they don't want to ahead with these at present

[Lotzy]

I would try and encourage your SIL to get blood test done.  The sooner any problems are picked up and treated the better.  A simple change in diet/medication may solve/reduce problem. Hopefully the vet wouldn't let Figs go due to a behavioural problem.  I would expect most vets would want to know if there was a health problem they could help with before agreeing to put a cat down for unknown reasons.

[Fire Fox]

When my Dillon was at Vets the VNs had to dig up soil and put in litter tray to encourage him to use it!  It worked..

Good to hear as my aunt is presently trying this, as Purdy won't use a tray even with the litter she had when in foster. Purdy doesn't like being out in the cold but won't come inside for anyone but my aunt, so she is a bit of a diva.

[Liz]

Get the blood test done she could be diabetic they drink and wee a lot - HRH Sweetie was diagnosed at the age of 18 and a half years young and did all the missing of the grit box now on her meds and satbilised no more missing issues!

[Jasmine]

Well, spoke to SIL last night.

The problem with Figaro has been building up for a few weeks now and she's still pooing outside - so that must exclude the weather as a problem.

She's also weeing bucket loads and drinking excessively so the vet thinks her kidneys could be an issue (she had a thorough examination and no bladder problems are indicated).  However, SIL doesn't want to go ahead with blood tests at this stage (I may be wrong, but I get the feeling if the behavioural problem isn't sorted it's goodnight Figs anyway) .  Apparently there is already a stain on the leather sofa (I told her to get a throw).

So the situation at present is Figs is being confined to the kitchen and being encouraged to use the litter tray - except she doesn't seem to have a clue.  I have passed on the suggestion regarding placement of poo inside & she is going to mop up the wee with some kitchen roll and squeeze it on the litter too.

If that doesn't work, then I guess we try a different type of litter or soil (thanks for that tip Liz)

I have mentioned about the Feliway and sent a link to Vet UK, but was told this was rather expensive.
(I shall probably end up buying one and sending it myself... or there is one in the auction.)

[Lotzy]

A few things come to mind:

Is this something that has just started happening in the last few days?  If Figs normally toilets outside, then it could be that she doesn't want to go out in the cold weather and that's why she's doing it in the house (my girl hasn't been out for days!).  If your SIL doesn't think it's down to this and it has started in the last few days, then keep on eye on how often it's happening.  If more than 2/3 times a day, very small amounts or any bloody urine, then it is probably down to a urinary infection or cystitis and needs to be treated by the vet ASAP. 

If it something that's slowly come on, this it could be due to old age or maybe arthritis (does Figs easily move around - someone on here can advise on possible treatment for arthritis).   Cats are generally very clean by nature, so if Figs is being confined to the kitchen a litter tray needs to be put in there.  My cats hadn't used a litter tray for a few years but happily used it when we had the floods, so hopefully it won't be that hard.  If she isn't interested, try a different cat litter a couple of days later or soil as previously suggested.

It's hard to tell if a cat is stressed.  It might be worth your SIL buying a Feliway diffuser which may help.  They can be bought cheaper online or at vets and take about a week to help (if they are going to).  Figs may pick up on the fact that your SIL in anxious about problem anyway, which may stress her so maybe not a bad idea anyway.

Fingers crossed the problem cat be solved.  I have a cat who gets cystitis, so I know it's not much fun running around cleaning up after them.

[lizfraser]

When my Dillon was at Vets the VNs had to dig up soil and put in litter tray to encourage him to use it!  It worked..

[Mark]

This is strange - I have just come off the phone with my friend Tara when I was slagging my brother and a friend off for both wondering why their cat had started going to the toilet by the back door. On being quizzed, no tray or cat-flap  - My SIL had been complaining to my mum that her 13 year old cat had always been clean but recently peeing by the back door overnight. She was soon put right by my mum 

Anyway, she could try putting some poo in Figaro's tray if he isn't used to using one to encourage him.

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

I wouldn't worry about "re-training" her to use the litter tray.  Cats are naturally clean creatures so if there is a tray with soft clean litter in it then I'm pretty sure she will use it. 


The following links may be of interest:

http://www.caring-for-your-cat.co.uk/inappropriate_soiling_and_spraying.html
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,21640.0.html
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,4916.0.html

[Angiew]

Is this a sign of senility... or stress... or maybe both?
Or the poor cat not wanting to go outside in the cold any longer to do her business?

Help please!

all of the above i'd imagine.

if she's arthritic then she will find it unpleasant to go out in this weather. i would imagine she'll adjust to the tray with ease , though it might be worth getting another one so that she always has a tray close to hand if she needs to go. (ask any lady over a certain age....)

[Jasmine]

My Sister-in-law sent me a text earlier regarding her elderly cat: Figaro, who is peeing everywhere and even on her.
She took Figs to the vets yesterday, who just said it was old age.

I don't have much more information at this stage except she has 'just bought a litter tray' (crazy I know!), and wants to know how to re-train her to use it (poor Figs is currently being confined to the kitchen).

SIL is ringing me tonight for advice BUT I'm not sure where to start.
Is this a sign of senility... or stress... or maybe both?
Or the poor cat not wanting to go outside in the cold any longer to do her business?

Help please!