Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

My Very Old Cat :( Need Advice....

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • My Very Old Cat :( Need Advice....

    Hey Everyone.

    I've just called around to every vet in the STATE I think, just asking opinion's so I thought I'd come here and ask you all too.

    I'm a HUGE cat lover, I have 4 of them. One if them, Ashley, Is a persian that I got when I was 7 and she was full grown then, now i'm 21 so shes pretty old. She has lost control of her bladder and i've done everything I can to help the situation, but my boyfriend is disgusted with the fact. Knowing that she's going in places that we dont know about and cant clean. She LOVES to be outside so I thought about that, but we're out in the country and have alot of fox's, raccoons, things like that and she doesnt have claws, and doesnt meow. So I figure she wouldnt have a chance, other than to run as fast as she can. But as much as I LOVE HER TO DEATH, I cant have a place full of cat urine, I dont want a stinky place. And just thinking about her sleeping outside, in a garage, anything....makes me feel horrible and bawl my eyes out.

    Like all the vet's have said....its my choice, but I dont know what to do. I want so bad to keep her, but I dont think I can. Everyone in my family wants to keep her, she lives with me, and I cant deal with car urine all over the place. So since everyone knows of her problem, they dont want her either. And if I was to give her away I would only want it to be a family member. No one else, shes too old and been with this family too long.

    So I feel that the only two choices are to let her outside and hope for the best, leave a place for her to jump up on, feed her, etc....or....to put her down.

    I honestly dont think that I can do either one of them, but I know that I have too. Everytime I look at her I cry, I cant help it. Just typing this makes me cry. I really, really love her. And unless your a huge animal lover, your probably thinking that this is pathetic.

    Any comments, suggestions, etc would be greatly appreciated. Im so lost, and have no idea. I feel like a useless mother by putting her outside to fend for herself as old as she is, and I would feel like a killer by putting her down. Shes a very happy, energetic cat....shes not fat and lazy by any means. Shes in perfect health other than this. So I feel like im giving up.

    Help!
    Krystle
    25/5'11
    Re-Start date: February 26, 2010
    Mini-Goal #1: 247







    "Life is a grindstone... whether it grinds you down or polishes you up, depends on what you’re made of"

  • #2
    Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

    I don't know how big she is but have you looked into diapers for her? http://www.petdiapers.com/
    you are right putting her outside would be cruel unless y'all could build her a covered enclosed cat playhouse type thing.
    by the book atkinseer

    started 6/1/02 at 313
    goalie 5/04 at 167 with under 15% body fat ADBB Presidents exercise Challenge


    Comment


    • #3
      Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

      I am a cat lover myself and have had to face similar situations with my babies. Pet diapers might be an idea. I've always lived in the country where we have fox's and lots of predators and never had a problem leaving my cats out as long as it was daylight. So maybe a good medium is to leave the cat out during the day, then bring it in at night and have it sleep in the laundry room or bathroom - someplace easy to clean where it will be isolated. Another option would be to invest in a carpet shampooer and shampoo all over every weekend . Seriously! If one of my babies was pretty healthy outside of having a slight bladder problem, I would go that extra mile. On the other hand, I've had some cats that would look at a problem like that similar to how we would and would rather not live with that embarassment and constantly being covered in their own mess. I've had some that would get seriously depressed over that situation. In that case, it might be better to consider the alternative. No one should judge you adversely based on your decision. Best wishes!
      27 F 5' 7"
      Before baby: HW:230/195 after 6 months on Atkins
      After baby and current restart: 210/207/120

      I'm too sexy.....for this bod; WAY too sexy for this bod

      Phase: Restarting a clean Induction as of 7/29/2007.

      Minigoals:
      To get thru my first week clean: (8/05/2007) Done! Yay! and 3lbs down :/ but at least it's a loss.
      To get thru my second week clean: (8/12/2007)
      199lbs:
      189lbs:
      179lbs:
      169lbs:
      159lbs:
      149lbs:
      139lbs:
      129lbs:
      Goal!:

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

        We have an old cat (20+ years old) and she doesn't jump well. My DH and I were discussing this as I read your message aloud to him and he suggested a dog pen for outside. We know that our "Boots" wouldn't be able to jump it anymore and she'd be safe from predators since we live in the "boonies" too. And if you think something would climb over the top to get in, then you could get some type of cover (a tarp perhaps).

        Could that be an option for you?

        Let us know what you decide.
        ~Kat
        F, 45, 5'7"



        A year from now you'll wish you had started today

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

          You might want to have her double checked for other health problems. My ex-boyfriend's cat was about 15 and we thought she had lost control of her bladder. Turns out she had a thyroid problem which was somehow causing "mini-strokes" and she would just lose all control. When he had her treated for the thyroid problem, she no longer peed around the house.
          Female, 21, 5'6"
          Start: October 24th, 2005, um, restart FOR REALZ 2/24/2007
          Total Lost: 60 pounds
          237.5/177.5/170/Long Term 120
          Then I gained some back, but let's not talk about that, shall we? 194.6/193.2/177.5/120
          http://www.myspace.com/kipprulez
          http://reversevampire.vox.com

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

            I totally agree. Have you had a urinalysis done? Bloodwork? (I'd do a geriatric profile but start with the urinalysis first). I don't think letting her outside is the answer and if she were mine, I wouldn't. What do you feed her? Diet makes a huge difference with cats and you bet the better diets make a difference. (I work in a vet clinic.) If you've done all that stuff already, you could consider a pheremone diffuser (the brand here is Feliway). It actually releases a synthetic pheremone that really helps with lots of behaviours including inappropriate urination. We've had about a 80% success rate with it for cats that don't have medical reasons for the behaviour. But you should try the urinalysis/bloodwork first.
            Here's some info on the diffuser:

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

              Hi Speedy-

              I know exactly where you are coming from. I don't think putting her outside is a good option. If something happened to her you would never forgive yourself.

              We've had similar problems and did the unthinkable to solve the solution. It is awful to be Jack Kervorkian so I would say try to find a alternative.

              Cat urine is quite smelly and hard to remove from your home so you have to come up with a creative idea. The outside dog pen is definitely a possibility but I also have another idea. Does your home have enough room to get a large dog sized kennel? There would be room for a litter box along with Miss Kitty. We have crates that have a slide out tray that make easy cleaning that we purchased at Petco.

              Do you give your cat the liquid from tuna? If you do, stop. I thought I was being a loving parent to my cat and found out it is hard on the kidneys and can give them urinary problems.

              Are there medicines for cat's that strengthen their bladder? We have a 1 yeard old boxer pup that was having similar problems. He will be on medication for life but it is worth it. Only animal lovers understand the hoops we jump through to keep our animals safe and happy.

              Good luck with whatever decision you make. There are never easy answers when it comes to pets.
              Val

              38f, 5'7"
              153/148/135?

              16/80 November Mileage Challenge
              6/20 November Video Challenge

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

                You said your cat was healthy and active aside from the urine problem? Then I would do what Isabeau suggested and take her to the vet for bloodwork and urinalysis.
                As for your boyfriend being disgusted, this is your cat. Not his. He just has to understand and help you and support you any way he can.
                Please let us know how Ashley is doing. I said a prayer for her. Give her a kitty kiss from me and Ralphy!

                Lady Hawke

                Attitude Changes Everything.
                Just like the butterfly, I too will awaken in my own time.
                ---><---



                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

                  I am apologize in advance if my tone seems harsh, but you need to be shaken up a bit because you are not using your head here:

                  Are you kiding me?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!??!?!?

                  I can't believe just "putting her outside" is an option for you. Take that option off the table because that is beyond being a cruel thing to do to an animal who has only known being cared for by humans, and on top of that is disabled and sick and old.

                  She would likely either starve to death, get hit by a car, or get torn apart by some stray dog or cat, fox, etc.... and have to bleed to death or meet some other horrible fate.

                  I am STUNNED you even are considering this. Shame!

                  Either take her to the vet and have her put down (which is a VERY humane thing to do and the option I would choose (and have chosen) in this situation), or give her to back to your mom and dad to keep her in comfort as she is suffering and dying. Don't let your boyfriend hurt or be mean to her either.

                  Good Lord! To me these are fair and just options that should be obvious. The unfair options should not even be a topic for discussion. Do the right thing, for the love!
                  Last edited by SusanQsan; January 22, 2006, 05:56 AM.
                  200/188/165 5'8.5"
                  Re-inducted 1/1/06
                  Big Goal: Run in the 5K Roots & Wings race July '06.






                  We are buying our first house! We close Apr. 28! Yay for us!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

                    i've never had a cat before, only dogs so maybe my suggestion would be wrong, but what about a crate? Just for the times you aren't home supervising her, you could put it by a sunny window with a nice comfy towel for her to lay on and maybe a few toys inside. and if you're worried about a mess you can always put a water proof lining under the crate as well? i don't know, just a thought...

                    restarted 7/23/09 HW 338/SW 280/ CW 261.2/ GW 185 37yrs/5'11

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

                      Originally posted by SusanQsan
                      I am apologize in advance if my tone seems harsh, but you need to be shaken up a bit because you are not using your head here:

                      Are you kiding me?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!??!?!?

                      I can't believe just "putting her outside" is an option for you. Take that option off the table because that is beyond being a cruel thing to do to an animal who has only known being cared for by humans, and on top of that is disabled and sick and old.

                      She would likely either starve to death, get hit by a car, or get torn apart by some stray dog or cat, fox, etc.... and have to bleed to death or meet some other horrible fate.

                      I am STUNNED you even are considering this. Shame!

                      Either take her to the vet and have her put down (which is a VERY humane thing to do and the option I would choose (and have chosen) in this situation), or give her to back to your mom and dad to keep her in comfort as she is suffering and dying. Don't let your boyfriend hurt or be mean to her either.

                      Good Lord! To me these are fair and just options that should be obvious. The unfair options should not even be a topic for discussion. Do the right thing, for the love!
                      I'm guessing by your response that you didn't even read what I wrote so I will just disreguard your statement.

                      As for the rest - Those are alot of great ideas. I did check with my vet and there isnt anything that cats can take like dogs to help there bladder. I also had blood work done and everything was fine, shes healthy. I dont know if my vet just sucks or what but thats what he said! lol.

                      I've used the diapers before with my chihuahua while she was in season but never knew that they made them for cats. That would be a great idea though! My chihuahua didnt mind having them on because she likes wearing clothes and things, but my cat probably wont. It will take alot of getting used to but its better than not having her around. Thanks 2big....

                      We do have a carpet scrubber and use that constantly, which is no problem. Our home doesnt smell but im afraid that it will start because we dont know all the places that she goes. About 3-4 years ago when I was still living with my parents Ashley was outside all the time. She absolutely loves it. We have horses and a huge pasture so she would always stay in the barn, up on the shelves and things like that for days and then come back inside for a few. She never ran away, always stayed around, its so nice to see her outside because you can just tell how much she loves it. She gets SO engergetic and runs up tree's and rolls in the grass, very very touching actually! So the inside at night, and outside during the day is a thought. I just know that the first time out she will leave for a few days and I will be worried sick! I feel like im abandoning her if she goes outside.

                      Her diet has always been the same really. When she was younger she had a severe problem with hairballs (shes persian) so we had her put on this "medically proven to stop hairballs" type food from the vet's. She hasnt had hairballs but im afraid if i take her off she will start, and that will just put icing on the cake! she was having ALOT- like 6-8 a day. HUGE ONES! eww....
                      I really want to thank you all for the comments and suggestions. I think that I will try some more vets, and see what they think. If I get the same answer then I will just get a dog pen and put a litter box, food, water, toys, etc in there and keep her in there while we are gone, then when shes out and we're home use the diapers. sounds like a plan.

                      Maybe I posted that wrong, but my boyfriend really isnt mean to any of our animals. Hes a animal freak too. He just gets disgusted knowing that she is peeing all over the house in places we dont know, so everytime he sits down, lays down, whatever he always has to scope it out really well. He would NEVER be mean to anything!

                      Thanks everyone for all the help, it really did help alot!
                      Krystle
                      25/5'11
                      Re-Start date: February 26, 2010
                      Mini-Goal #1: 247







                      "Life is a grindstone... whether it grinds you down or polishes you up, depends on what you’re made of"

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

                        I wish you all the best with your fuzzy friend!
                        I'm relieved that you know putting her outside is not an option unless it's in a fully enclosed run....whew...I misunderstood that as well.
                        I'd think about getting a second opinion about whether it's loss of bladder control or just some bladder problem. As the SPCA explained to us when a cat chooses to pee in places other than it's litter box, it's because it is hurting them to pee, and they associate the litter box with pain, and avoid it. Which totally makes sense.
                        If she's lost bladder control though, of course that's another story.
                        Anyway, all the best to you and kitty!
                        F 42 5' 194/142.5/125 My Progress


                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

                          I am happy also that you believe putting her outside is not an option. My dog has always had a bladder problem since she was a puppy. She constantly thinks she has to go to the bathroom and when she does it is just a few drops. My vet has put her on "piddle" pills to help with this problem because she would constantly be dripping and she would like herself to try to get rid of the smell and so forth. The pills work along with trying to regulate her diet. I am not so sure about the "putting her down" option. If everything else is ok with her, I guess I would try my best to find other solutions. It's hard when our babies get old but I would like to think that if I got old and had a slight bladder problem my family would try to help me out any way they know how. Good luck with your kitty - I have been there with one of my other dogs and it is a lot of work.
                          Start Date: 12/04

                          SW/178; CW/150; GW/140
                          43/ F / 5' 6"

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

                            Just for the pee problem, last night I went to Target and picked up this product I'd seen on TV called UrineGone (classy name, I know, www.urinegone.com). However, it works REALLY REALLY WELL for times you can't use the carpet steamer, AND it comes with a blacklight so you can see the pee stain and make sure you get all of it out. Maybe that will help with your boyfriend's peace of mind!
                            Female, 21, 5'6"
                            Start: October 24th, 2005, um, restart FOR REALZ 2/24/2007
                            Total Lost: 60 pounds
                            237.5/177.5/170/Long Term 120
                            Then I gained some back, but let's not talk about that, shall we? 194.6/193.2/177.5/120
                            http://www.myspace.com/kipprulez
                            http://reversevampire.vox.com

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: My Very Old Cat Need Advice....

                              OMG!!! I just got online to look that stuff up because I just saw on infomercial! Im so glad that you've used it and have great things to say about it! FINALLY! Something that works!!!

                              Ashley is loving all over me and the computer screen right now.....she knows im talking about her Thanks for the info everyone!
                              Krystle
                              25/5'11
                              Re-Start date: February 26, 2010
                              Mini-Goal #1: 247







                              "Life is a grindstone... whether it grinds you down or polishes you up, depends on what you’re made of"

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X