Hi, I have a 1 year old cat who has suffered from chronic urinary infections due to crystals etc. The vet placed her on a special diet as well as antibiotics to clear the infections and is on distilled water. Here is the problem: When she is on the antibiotic she goes in the litter box but once she is done with the antibiotic she starts to urinate on any items left on the floor (ie: towels, shirts etc). I am so upset because we cannot go on this way. She has had 4 rounds of antibiotics and nothing is helping. I give her the special cat food as well as distilled water. What else can I do. Do I need to put her down??? I am so upset by this but I do not know what is left for me to do. HELP!!! I love her and want to keep her but I have already spent a ton on her.
2007-06-03 07:23:13 · 9 answers · asked by sherrilovescats 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
It sounds like you are stressed out to the max! I don't blame you. Try to talk to the vet and see if there is any thing else that you should be doing to get your cat to go in the litter box, although it sounds like your doing everything your suposed to do.. Try to keep your things off of the floor and out of her reach and clean her box 2-3 times a day. It may even help to have multiple cat boxes. It is recomended that for every cat you have you need 2 litter boxes. If you really feel like giving up and can't handle the responsibility of a cat with special needs you should consider placing her in a good home. There are many homes out there that are willing to take in a special needs kitty. Good Luck
2007-06-03 07:35:06 · answer #1 · answered by Alicia G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't use distilled water for animals...it actually will pull minerals out of the body to balance itself. Not good to use! Has your vet cultured the urine to make sure it is the correct antibiotic? He will need to collect a sterile sample for this. Some UTI's need several weeks to clear, and you shouldn't stop until the urinalysis comes back clear and normal. Has she been x-rayed to make sure there are no bladder stones? Definitely need that with recurrent UTI's. Like said above, it hurts to have a UTI, and she is associating box with pain. Try offering her several other boxes with different types of litter for awhile and see if that helps. The special cat food may take a few weeks to dissolve the crystals. Glucosamine products can help the bladder feel better, as can amitryptilline--it will calm her down and help with pain as well. Ask about them. If she is chronic, there is an underlying problem you need to get to the bottom of--even if it means going to a specialist.
2007-06-03 07:49:49 · answer #2 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The special diet is not much better then what you were feeding before this started it happening. It is dry food loaded with carbs. Cats are not normally big drinkers and get most of their moisture needs from their food. Most of the water is zapped out during processing of dry foods. A good quality canned cat food w/o gravy is what is best for your cats. Fancy feast is a middle grade quality and would be fine. Maybe if the problem is addressed the improper urination and the crystals will go away
http://www.catinfo.org/#Common_Feline_Health_Problems_and_Their_Ties_to_Diet_
2007-06-03 10:51:39 · answer #3 · answered by Ken 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She is only 1 year old. Why would you put her down. Teach her the right way to go about it. If she has crystals, she is associating the litter box with pain. It hurts a lot to pass crystals. It is like you passing a kidney stone. It just hurts. Put her in a small room with food water and litter box until she gets through the worst of the pain. Hopefully having a new location may make her use it. You may need a new litter box that does not smell like her. She may associate the litter box its self with the pain. Please don't put her down. She needs your help.
2007-06-03 07:29:13 · answer #4 · answered by bonnie g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you do NOT need to put her down. Crystals are VERY painful, and she associates that pain with the litterbox. It is like passing kidney stones in people. Please be patient with her until they are passed. Love her more, not less, because she is in pain and needs your comfort. Don't get mad at her, she doesn't know, she is just going by instinct. And don't think of putting her down...she may be able to sense your feelings!
Try putting newpaper on the floor in different areas, that may help. Or try putting a piece of plastic on the floor with some litter on it.
You wouldn't put a child down for doing that because of a medical condition, you would make adjustments and allowances for it. Well, your cat is your 'child' also.
2007-06-03 07:34:28 · answer #5 · answered by Mama_Kat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would look into a "holistic" approach for your cat before you decide to put her down. The only place I know about that has any information about this is "Clayton College" 800.659-8274, www.ccnh.edu, I am thinking of taking their course on this very subject. They may be able to give you a practitioner in your area. I have been seeing a Certified Nutritional Therapist since Nov 06 and my health is so much improved. I am OFF all the drugs I was on including insulin shots.
I have also been on a BIOTIC regime of supplements too...so think about what you said...you're giving your cat ANTI-biotics.
I hope this information is helpful.....there's a revolution going on in this country over processed food and drugs etc....get educated on what you're doing for your cat...
2007-06-03 07:41:21 · answer #6 · answered by Pinkprincess5455 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She needs an all canned diet. Dry food is probably what is causing the UTIs. What kind of special diet is she on? Please explain.
My cat was on Hill's Science Diet s/d for a couple of months to dissolve her crystals. Once that was done I switched her to canned food and high quality dry food. I'd feed her more canned food if she'd eat it though.
Buy your cat an additional litterbox.
Put her in there a few times a day to retrain her.
Scoop the litterbox at least 2 times a day.
This should help for the time being until her crystals are gone.
2007-06-03 07:28:15 · answer #7 · answered by hello 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If your vet is not suggesting any other treatment I would suggest seeing another vet. because antibiotics are only going to help for so long and then she will become immune to them. but maybe talk to friends and family about a vet they would go to in your area, call and talk to them before setting an appointment. I wish you lots of luck
2007-06-03 07:37:43 · answer #8 · answered by SHERRY "Ree" 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have not mentioned name of antibiotic prescribed by vet. I think give him ciprofloxin group of drug in proper dose. It is good that cat is on special diet. Check with your vet and I think problem is over once uti cures.
2007-06-03 07:36:27 · answer #9 · answered by pk_trivedi 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋