I just don't know what to do for my cat anymore. It's been five months since our move and he's still not doing well. He moved from a big house to a little apartment. He started having UTI problems right after we moved in. He took amoxicillin, got a little better, but only for about a month. Then the UTI came back and he took Clavamox. He got quite a bit better, but still not completely. The vet did an ultrasound and ruled out bladder stones, so he then put him on an antidepressant. The antidepressant is in pill form and I have trouble giving it to him, but it seems to help some. But last night he got in a fight with my other kitty and he peed all over my bathmats again!! I'm so upset about my poor kitty. I'm not sure if this is behavioral or biological, but I'm thinking both. What is a girl to do, other than giving the cats away to a nice couple with a big house who can take better care of him?!
2007-02-21 03:25:58 · 5 answers · asked by starfishblues 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
I think the stuff he's on now is called Elavil.
Thanks. :) I really feel for my poor kitty.
2007-02-21 03:31:36 · update #1
That's really so sad... this kitty had not adjusted well to the move from a big place to a smaller one... and hie UTI and his peeing in inappropriate places is an emotional behavioral problem. The vet is right in giving your kitty something that will alleviate his stress and mood. Stick a while with the cats and give the meds a a month at least to kick in... I have heard cats bouncing out from such emotional problems with the use of these antistress and antidepressant pills. Give it a bit more time. Also, the cat's emotions can be soothed by playing soft classical music in the background.
2007-02-21 04:20:00 · answer #1 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if its not biological then its behavioral, and if you give the cat away you giving the next person a huge headache and a bigger place for the cat to pee. Has the vet checked for FLUTD (Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease)? Also it was known for awhile as FUS (Feline Uroligical Syndrome) Until findings suggested its not a syndrom its actually a disease of obstructions in the ureathra. Its relativaly a new disorder or disease they are finding more in male, housecats, that are over 4 years old. There isnt a know cause and sometimes cats with genetically narrowed ureathra's will get this disease.
Early signs and symptoms can be frequent urination all over the home and not just the box, painful urination, depression, and lethargy.
Later it manafests into Not being able to pee at all, bloody urine, irritable moods, irriatble bowel movments, fever, lack of appetite, and faliure to drink. They also believe stress can bring about this condition.
A good friend of mines 5 year old cat, Leo, just went through this. After a stressful Thanksgiving holiday of new people and his brother bringing a new cat into the house, Leo got this problem and it took him till basically last month to be fully diagnosed and properly medicated. The vet has him on a low magnesium diet and some mood medications also had to go and get his urethra totally cleaned out.
here a pretty ok sight on FLUTD
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/fusfaqs.html
2007-02-21 11:44:24 · answer #2 · answered by I luv Pets 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
since you've already taken steps with the vet, you may want to look into seeing an animal behavior specialist or look up animal behavior patterns in cats on the web. It can be pricey for the specialist ($50-75 an hour) but if you love ya kitty it will be well worth it. Try that first before shipping her off.
2007-02-21 11:36:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea if this idea is feasible, but your tale of woe made me remember a childhood story (can't remember the name of it): Maw complained that the house was too small. Paw moved the chickens into the house. Maw complained that the house was even smaller. Paw moved the turkeys into the house. Maw: House even smaller! Paw moved the pigs into the house...then the mule...then the cow...then the draft horse. Maw throws her hands into the air in defeat. Paw moves the cow OUT of the house...then the mule...the pigs...the turkeys...the chickens. Maw looks around her house now and exclaims, "My, this house is so big!"
Want to try it with your cat? Put him in a small box for...how long? A day or two? (With food, water, litter, of course.) Then move him into a little bigger box...bigger box...bigger box...until at last you let him have the run of the apartment again. ???? Think it might work????
2007-02-21 11:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by katbyrd41 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did your vet put him on prescription food? My cat is prone to URI, and he was on amoxicillin, and clavamox. He's on prescription food for the rest of his life. Ask your vet about it,
2007-02-21 11:47:40 · answer #5 · answered by yahoo user 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋